USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Our county and its people : A history of Hampden County, Massachusetts. Volume 3 > Part 36
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The public school arrangement of Tolland was made while the town constituted the west parish of Granville. therefore when this town was set off the work of redistricting was the most important duty that devolved upon the school committee. The records for this period of the town's history are imperfect, and we have no definite knowledge of what was done in regard to the schools prior to 1849. Under the present disposition of school interests in the town the territory comprises five districts. each with a school house, while according to the last published report of the committee the number of children of school age in the town is but 68. Five teachers are employed annually. The town has no superintendent of schools, the duties of that office being performed by the school committee whose names are given in a preceding paragraph.
Notwithstanding the disadvantages of remote location and the absence of large commercial enterprises, Tolland has pro- dueed many men of strength and integrity of character. This element of progressive population has not been confined to the early generations of the town's people. but during the last half century there have been many earnest factors in domestic and public life in the town. In this connection there may be recalled the names of such men as the late G. W. Granger, Alonzo Miller, Daniel Spring. Alonzo Marshall. George L. Marshall, Oliver E.
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Slocum. E. D. Sloeum, E. D. Moore, P. F. Twining, N. B. Twin- ing, H. C. Brown, Samuel Hamilton, N. E. Slocum, Ilenry Hamilton, Edward L. Tinker and Fowler F. Moore, nearly all of whom were born in Tolland, some of them descendants of pioneer stock, and all men of excellent character and moral worth, an honor to any town. And among the men of the present day there are many whose names are worthy of mention in these pages ; such men as O. E. Slocum, farmer; Wilbert Munn. mechanie, town clerk and justice of the peace; H. W. Soule, lumberman : J. R. Rogers, farmer and selectman : Giles Farnham, mechanie ; J. D. HIall, farmer: F. B. Twining. farmer and lum- berman : F. H. Pratt, farmer : M. S. and H. H. Marshall, farmers : O. E. Slocum, farmer: E. M. Brown, farmer: C. B. Soule. hm- berman, and F. S. Hale, farmer.
CHAPTER XVI THE TOWN OF WALES
A little more than a century and three-quarters ago, there was a large territory lying east of the town of Springfield which was described as "common land." a part of the public domain under the crown and subject to the immediate authority of the royal governor of the Massachusetts Bay. Sometime during the early part of the eighteenth century a number of adventurous whites had established themselves in various portions of this tract, and the locality being found desirable for colonization, it soon passed under the proprietary ownership, resulting in the formation of a plantation adjoining Springfield and auxiliary thereto.
The plantation was established in 1722, and in less than ten years afterward the territory was incorporated into a town by the name of Brimfield. During the next thirty years a large part of the available lands were well settled by people who came
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from the eastern settlements, while the old town of Springfield furnished a fair contingent of the rapidly increasing population. In 1742 a part of the plantation on the east was set off to form Western, and in 1760 another portion on the west side was in- corporated as a district and called Monson. In 1762 the remain- ing territory was divided and the south half was called the district of South Brimfield. On February 21, 1766, the latter district was divided into East and West parishes, the old South Meadow road leading from Brimfield south into Connecticut being the boundary line between them. August 23. 1775, the distriet of South Brimfield was made a town by a general aet, and. July 5. 1783. the former East parish was made a district by the name of Holland. After this separation all the remaining part of South Brimfield was continued under that designation until February 20, 1828. when its name was changed to Wales.
Settlement in old Brimfield is believed to have begun soon after 1700, and probably a quarter of a century passed before an adventurous pioneer made a permanent location in the South Brimfield region. Over in Holland there was no attempt at occupation and improvement until after 1730. but in what is now Wales Anthony Needham and John Bullen chose their lots, built their cabins, and brought their families in 1726 or '27. If local tradition is reliable pioneer Needham was a man of much determination and the worthy leader of the vanguard of civiliza- tion in the town. He is said to have had eleven children, and one of his sons, Captain Anthony Needham, rendered excellent service during the revolution. He was the first representative of South Brimfield in the general court. The pioneer himself died in 1763. Pioneer Bullen spent his life in the town, but in later years his descendants became widely seattered. In the drawing of lots under the proprietory Needham secured "Lott 29", and Bullen "Lott 28", the former just west of what is sometimes called Wales pond, and the latter adjoining it.
If other settlers came into the town about the time that pioneers Needham and Bullen located here there is no present record of the Fact. The belief is that the pioneers were on their lands something more than a year before other settlers began
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to arrive, although the proprietors were constantly sending pros- pectors into the region with a view to settlement. Some of these remained here and bought land, but others came and soon departed. At this late date, nearly two centuries after the events took place, it is difficult to determine accurately who were the earliest settlers in the south half of the old mother town of Brim- field. However. having access to town records, oll papers and other documents, we are able to recall the names of many of the early settlers in what now is Wales. In these researches we find the names of Munger, whose earliest representatives in this locality were Nathaniel, Elnathan, Samuel and Joseph Munger, names afterward well known and highly respected in the civil and social history of the town. This family in Wales annals dates from about 1728. Then there was Rev. Ebenezer Moulton and his brothers Samuel and John, who came here in 1728. Elder Moulton founded a Baptist society here in 1736, and served as captain in the French and English war in 1755. These fami- lies came to Brimfield from Salem and probably were aecom- panied by other settlers whose names cannot be recalled.
In glancing over old records we find the surnames of Hovey, Jordon, Johnson, Morgan, Collins, Shaw (Seth and Joshua), Gardner (Humphrey Gardner removed from Palmer to South Brimfield as early as 1736), Captain Trustrum Davis (a settler here in 1732 and an officer in the French wars), Thomas Green (1737), Robert Green (1748), Wm. Carpenter (1740), Fehabod and Joel Rogers ( representatives of a family of much prominence in the later history of Wales. Joel Rogers represented the town in the general court in 1797, and was in many respects one of the foremost men in the town in his time), William Felton ( an Irish- man and probably the pioneer of his nationality in Wales). Shubael Dimmick (settled here about 1750 and erected one of the first saw mills in the locality), Capt. Daniel Winchester (came from Roxbury previous to 1760, and was an influential personage in town affairs, a delegate to the provincial congress in Salem in 1774, representative in the general court, and in business life a store-keeper in South Brimfield), Capt. Asa Fisk (who came from Hampton, Conn., in 1762, and conducted a
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tavern as well as a large farm), Oliver Wales (who came into the town in 1766 from Union, in Connecticut), Elijah Wales (brother of Oliver). Rev. James Mellen (the second pastor of the Baptist church, and whose settlement here dated 1765), Rev. Elijah Coddington ( who followed Elder Mellen in the pastorate ), Asa Houghton (settled here 1779, represented the town in 1784 and died 1829).
In addition to those mentioned in preceding paragraphs. and who perhaps were the most prominent men of the town in their time, we may recall still other early settlers whose names are equally worthy of notice, although their work consisted in developing the resources of the region rather than in publie service. We now make especial reference to such characters in local annals as James C. Royce ( whose surname is still known in Wales . Darins Munger, Jolin Munger, Nehemiah May (a conspicuous character in Holland history). Dr. James Lawrence (the pioneer physician), Humphrey Crane. Thomas Bond, Jonathan Crane, Abel Allen, Joseph Gardner, David Needham, Samuel Shaw, Josiah Gardner. Benjamin Winchester, and others whose names have been lost with the lapse of years, all of whom were factors in history previous to the beginning of the nine- teenth century and many of whom were the ancestors of residents in the town at the opening of the twentieth century. Indeed, for more than one hundred years this town, whether known as South Brimfield or Wales, has been noted for the substantial character of its inhabitants, and glancing backward through the last century we discover that it has furnished its full quota of strong men who have been contributing factors in the civil and political history of Hampden county.
In many respects the early settlers in South Brimfield were an independent and courageous people, and the action of the proprietors of the lands, and also that of the government of the mother town, was not wholly agreeable to them. Therefore they caused the division of the territory and the creation of their own town. then comprising the East and West parishes. And even later there was something in the administration of affairs in the new jurisdiction which was not suited to their condition
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and situation in life, hence, on September 5, 1774, it was voted to "choose twelve men as a court of justice and honor to deter- mine all controversies" that might afterward arise in the dis- triet. This domestic judicial body comprised Capt. Nehemialı May, Jacob Howe, Nathaniel Munger, Asa Fisk, Anthony Need- ham, Daniel Winchester, Thomas Parker, Jonathan Wallis, Benjamin Blodgett, Edward Webber, Abel Allen and Joel Rogers, six numbers being selected from the inhabitants of each parish. The "court", however, was of brief duration, for in 1783 the East parish became a separate district and elected its own officers, except the representative. One of the objects of this court of twelve members was the equable administration of town affairs and the fair division of offices between the parishes. In 1774 the East parish sought a division of the territory on account of many inconveniences to which they were put, and again in 1779 the measure was advocated. In 1783 their en- deavors were rewarded, the separation was granted, but there- after for many years the towns of Holland and Wales united in eleeting a single representative to the legislature.
Previous to the organization of Hampden county (1812) the following representatives of the joint distriet were elected from Wales: Anthony Needham, 1775; David Bullen, 1780; Asa Houghton, 1784: Daniel Winchester, 1785 and '87; Darius Munger, 1786 and '90, 1794-95; Asa Fisk, 1788-89; Joel Rogers, 1797; Oliver Wales, 1800-01; Josiah Gardner, 1804; John Munger, 1805; Royal Wales, 1810-11. In the Hampden civil list in another part of this work may be found the subsequent repre- sentatives from Wales.
In speaking of the prominent characters in South Brimfield and Wales history it may be noted that in the provincial con- gress convened at Salem in 1774, this town was represented by Capt. Daniel Winchester. In the Cambridge convention in 1779 to adopt a constitution for the commonwealth, the town was represented by William Carpenter. In the Hatfield convention in April, 1781, and the Hadley convention in February. 1782. to devise means for the common defense and maintenance of troops then in the field, the town was represented by delegate
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Joel Rogers. In the county convention held at Hatfield, August 22. and at Hadley, November 7. 1786, and also at the state eon- vention at Boston in January, 1788. to devise means to relieve the extremities of the people caused by the war, this town was represented by Asa Fisk. In the peace party convention held in Northampton, July 14. 1812, this town, a majority of whose people were decidedly of federalistic tendencies. sent Darius Munger as its delegate.
Civil History .- The organization of the town in pursuance vof the act of the legislature, the detail of which is set forth in an earlier paragraph. was accomplished with little difficulty. The act authorized justice of the peace Josiah Dwight to issue his warrant to some principal inhabitant (Jonathan Burk) of the new district, and to assemble the townsmen at the house of settler John Bishop for the purpose of fleeting officers. The meeting was held October 5, and Humphrey Crane acted as moderator. The succession of selectmen and town clerks follows : Selectmen .- 1762-65. Thumphrey Needham. Humphrey Crane, Anthony Needham, Nehemiah May. John Moulton: 1766, Joseph Blodgett, Anthony Needham. John Moulton. James Law- rence, Samuel Munger: 1767, Joseph Blodgett, James Lawrence, Ilumphrey Needham : 1768. Humphrey Crane, Humphrey Need- ham. Dr. James Lawrence: 1769. Humphrey Crane. Joseph Blodgett. jun .. Edward Webber : 1770. Humphrey Crane. Joseph Blodgett. jun .. Anthony Needham: 1771, Asa Fisk, Joseph Blod- gett. jun., Nehemiah May: 1772. Anthony Needham, Daniel Winchester, Nehemiah May : 1773. Anthony Needham, Asa Fisk, Nehemiah May; 1774. Anthony Needham. Daniel Winchester, Humphrey Crane: 1775. Anthony Needham. Asa Fisk, Hum- phrey Crane: 1776. Ihumphrey Crane, Daniel Winchester, Anthony Needham, Joseph Munger. Edward Webber; 1777, Daniel Winehester, Nehemiah May. Jonathan Wallis: 1778, Nehemiah May. Sherebiah Ballard. Benj. Blodgett; 1779, Thomas Bond. Darins Munger. William Belknap, Abner Need- ham, Joseph Needham: 17-0. Jonas Blodgett. Wm. Belknap, Darius Munger. Jonathan Crane, Joseph Needham: 1781. Jonas Blodgett. Win. Belknap. Darius Munger. Alfred Lynn, Joseph
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Needham; 1782, Joel Rogers, Wm. Belknap, Abner Needham, Abel Allen, Joseph Munger; 1783, Joel Rogers, Wm. Belknap, Joseph Needham, Abel Allen, Darius Munger; 1784, Darius Munger, Joel Rogers, Joseph Needham: 1785, Samuel Winches- ter, Darius Munger, Asa Houghton; 1786, Joel Rogers, Darius Munger, David Needham: 1787, Joel Rogers, Darius Munger, Daniel Munger: 1788, Joel Rogers, Asa Fisk, Daniel Winchester; 1789, Joel Rogers, Asa Fisk, Darius Munger: 1790-92, Darius Munger, Joel Rogers, Asa Fisk: 1793, David Needham, Joel Rogers, Daniel Munger; 1794, John Munger, Joel Rogers, Daniel Munger : 1795. John Munger, Joel Rogers, Darins Munger : 1796, Darius Munger, Joseph Gardner, John Munger, David Needham, Samuel Shaw; 1797-98, Darius Munger, Josiah Gardner, John Munger ; 1799, Nathan Wight, Oliver Wales: 1800. John Munger, Nathan Wight, Benj. Winchester; 1801, David Needham, Stephen Needham, Asa Fisk, jun., Asa Houghton, John Shaw; 1802, John Munger, Nathan Wight, John Shaw; 1803, Darius Munger, Joel Rogers, Asa Fisk; 1804, Darius Munger, John Munger, Oliver Wales: 1805, Darius Munger. Cyrus Munger, Stephen Needham: 1806-10. John Munger, Cyrus Munger, Stephen Needham: 1811, Asa Fisk, jun., James L. Wales, John Shaw: 1812, Jesse Moulton, Charles Gardner, Cyrus Munger; 1813, Jesse Moulton, Amasa Munger, Stephen Needham; 1814, Jesse Moulton, Timothy Fenton, James W. Needham : 1815. Jesse Moulton, Timothy Fenton, James L. Wales; 1816, Charles Gard- ner, Timothy Fenton, Alvin Needham: 1817, AAlvin Needham. Timothy Fenton. Alfred Needham; 1818-20, Alvin Needham, John Smith, Alfred Needham: 1821, James L. Wales, Francis Miller. Alfred Needham; 1822, James L. Wales, Alvin Needham, John Smith ; 1823, James L. Wales, John Smith, Alfred Need- ham; 1824, James L. Wales, Alfred Needham, Orrin Wales: 1825, Alvin Needham, John Smith, William Thompson; 1826, James L. Wales, John Smith, Wm. Thompson; 1827, Alfred Needham, John Smith, James Babeock: 1828, James L. Wales, John Smith, Alfred Needham; 1829-30, James L. Wales, John Smith, Francis Miller; 1831, John Smith, Charles Gardner, James Babeoek; 1832, JJohn Smith, Whitman Munger, James
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Babeock: 1833, John Smith, Whitman Munger, Alfred Need- ham: 1834, JJames L. Wales, Charles Gardner, Alfred Needham; 1835. John Smith, Aaron Shaw, Alfred Needham : 1836, Charles Gardner. Aaron Shaw, Oliver Wales; 1837. James L. Wales, Absalom Gardner, Elijah C. Babcock; 1838, James C. Royce, Absalom Gardner, Whitman Munger: 1839, James C. Royce, Absalom Gardner. John White; 1840. Absalom Gardner. James C. Royce, Ames Walbridge, John White; 1841, Absalom Gard- ner. Ferdinand L. Burley, Nathan Pahner: 1842, Luther Parker, Horace Gardner, Nathan Pahner; 1843, Absalom Gardner, Fer- dinand L. Burley, Ames Walbridge ; 1844, Horace Gardner, Wm. Thompson, Ames Walbridge: 1845, Absalom Gardner. L. B. Wight. Alvan Andrews: 1846, Leonard P. Wight. James C. Royee, Eseck Luther; 1847, Leonard P. Wight, James C. Royer. A. A. Needham: 1848, Absalom Gardner, Horace Gard- ner. C. D. Brown: 1849. Absalom Gardner, N. H. Stowell. C. D. Brown; 1850, Absalom Gardner, N. H. Stowell. James C. Royce: 1851, Absalom Gardner. Warren Shaw, Silas Perry; 1852. Alfred Needham, Alvin Andrews, Arbey Squier; 1853, Absalom Gardner, David B. Needham, Eli Gardner; 1854, Ab- salom Gardner, David B. Needham. Ferd. L. Burley: 1855, Absalom Gardner, Adams Stewart. Samuel B. Perry ; 1856, Ab- salom Gardner, Nathan Palmer, Warren Shaw : 1857-58. Absalom Gardner, Nathan Palmer, Samuel L. Moulton: 1859, Warren Shaw, Wm. L. Needham, S. V. R. Smith : 1860. Warren Shaw, Friend C. Smith, Warren Needham: 1861, Warren Shaw. S. V. R. Smith, William L. Needham: 1862. Absalom Gardner. Eden D. Shaw, S. V. R. Smith: 1863-64. Absalom Gardner. C. D. Brown. Warren Shaw: 1865, Julius M. Lyon, J. C. Burley, F. C. Smith: 1866, Ferd. C. Burley, C. D. Brown, S. B. Perry ; 1-67. Ferd. L. Burley, C. D. Brown. J. M. Lyon : 1868-69 : Ferd. L. Burley, Warren Needham, David F. Parker; 1870. Ferd. L. Burley, Warren Needham. A. B. Johnson: 1871. J. M. Lyon, Win. 12. Needham, F. L. Coburn: 1-72. Absalom Gardner, War- ren Needham, F. L. Coburn: 1873-74. Ferd. L. Burley, William L. Needham. F. L. Coburn: 175 Ferd. L. Buy. W. L. Needham, George O. Henry: 1876. F. C. Smith, Geo. O. Henry.
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A. B. Johnson ; 1877, Frank A. Royce, G. H. Needham, A. B. Johnson : 1878. George H. Needham, J. M. Lyon, A. B. Johnson ; 1879, J. M. Lyon, A. B. Johnson, F. S. Gardner; 1880, Warren Shaw, David Shaw, W. L. Needham; 1881, F. L. Burley, F. M. Royce, W. L. Needham; 1882, R. L. Boynton, W. L. Needham, P. W. Moore; 1883, A. B. Johnson, J. M. Lyon, F. A. Royce ; 1884, F. A. Royce, A. B. Johnson, Nathan Green ; 1885, F. A. Royce, C. C. Smith, J. C. Burley; 1886, F. A. Royce, C. C. Smith. W. Royce; 1887, W. Royce, R. L. Boynton, David Shaw; 1888, J. M. Lyon, F. A. Royce, David Shaw; 1889, J. M. Lyon, LeRoy Squier, H. A. MeFarland; 1890, O. P. Royce, LeRoy Squier, H. A. MeFarland; 1891-92, O. P. Royce, W. E. Need- ham, Nathan Green; 1893-95, O. P. Royce, W. E. Needham, W. A. Lyon : 1896. O. P. Royce, J. H. Loudon, J. C. Burley ; 1897-99, O. P. Royce, G. M. Stewart, J. H. Loudon ; 1900, J. H. London, F. M. Royce, A. A. Hubbard ; 1901, O. P. Royce, J. H. Loudon, A. A. Hubbard.
Town Clerks .- Capt. Joseph Blodgett, 1762-63; Humphrey Crane, 1764; Jeremiah Needham, 1765; Joseph Blodgett, 1766- 67: Humphrey Crane, 1768: Joseph Blodgett, 1769-74; Joseph Needham, 1775-76; Abner Needham, 1777-80; David Bullen, 1781-84 : Abner Needham, 1785-86; Darius Munger, 1787; Abner Needham, 1788-90; Oliver Wales, 1791-1803: Elijah Coddington, 1804-05; James Smith, 1806-7 : Jesse Moulton, 1808-14: Wm. W. Thompson. 1815: Alfred Needham, 1816-33; Elijah C. Babcock, 1834: Aaron Shaw, 1835-36: James (. Royce, 1837-39; Leonard B. Wight, 1840-42; Nathan D. Wight, 1843; Absalom Gardner, 1844; Austin L. Rogers, 1845-47; Naham H. Stowell, 1848-50; Ferdinand L. Burley, 1851-54: George H. Needham, 1855; Joel H. Rogers, 1856-59: George S. Rogers, 1860-73; Herbert H. Haradon, 1874-75: George S. Rogers, 1876: Frank L. Smith, 1877; Herbert H. Haradon, 1878; Ozro P. Royce, 1879-88; A. A. IIubbard, 1889; Ozro P. Royce, 1890-1901.
Town Officers, 1901 .- Ozro P. Royce, A. A. Hubbard. Joseph A. Loudon, selectmen, overseers of the poor and board of health; Ozro P. Royce, town clerk; B. S. Baker, C. G. Need- ham, auditors: Willis Chamberlain, treasurer; T. J. Hynes, col-
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Jector: W. E. Needham, Wmn. Peek, W. W. Eager, assessors; LeRoy Squier. C. G. Thompson, constables: Ozro P. Royce. George M. Stewart, Herbert A, MeFarland, justices of the peace ; Dr. E. F. Ross, Anna Thompson, Mrs. Wm. MeKinnon, trustees Wales public library : Willis Chamberlain, librarian.
Wales for many years has been noted for the substantial character of its inhabitants and also for the stability of its institutions and population. Generally speaking, it is an agri- cultural town, with just enough of industrial enterprise to
The Village Fountain
employ the surplus labor element of the locality. Lumbering for many years has been an established occupation for several of the townsmen. In 1776, when the colonial census was taken, South Brimfield (including what now is Holland ) contained 850 inhabitants. The later changes in population, as shown by census statisties, have been as follows: 1790, 606; 1800. 774; 1510, 645: 1820. 683: 1830, 665: 1840, 686; 1850, 711; 1855, 713; 1860, 677: 1865, 696: 1870, 831: 1875, 1.020: 1880. 1,030; 1885, -53: 1-90. 700: 1895. 783: 1900. 773.
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From this it is seen that Wales, unlike many of the outlying towns of the county, attained its greatest population in 1880, a time when other civil divisions in the region were rapidly de- ereasing in number of inhabitants with a corresponding decline in local interests; but fortunately for Wales, the lands which comprise its 10.000 aeres area are of a superior quality and yield well in response to the persevering efforts of the husband- man. Moreover, the people always have been loyal to their town, taking especial interest in maintaining the fertility of the soil and guarding carefully the welfare of their youth. This is known as one of the progressive towns, with fixed and permanent institutions, and notwithstanding the decrease in population of the last twenty years. few of the established interests have been abandoned.
This spirit of loyalty to the town is not of recent origin. but dates back to the days of early settlement, and in subsequent years its manifestations have been frequent. Between 1754 and 1763 a number of the townsmen enlisted under the American flag and took part in the elosing wars with France. During the revolution a patriotie spirit was displayed in old South Brim- field, and on the eall to arms no town made a more generous re- sponse with troops, arms and supplies, also with provision for the payment of bounties to eneourage enlistments to the full extent of the town's quota.
Through the assistance of Leon H. Thompson, the writer is able to furnish a reasonably complete list of the men of South Brimfield (Wales) who served during the revolution, viz. : Daniel Giles, Joseph Gardner, Charles Gardner, Amos Green, Aaron Green, Ames Walbridge, Anthony Needham, Stephen Needham, David Needham, Paul Stewart, William Carpenter, Malachi Nichols, Capt. Daniel Winchester, Hezekiah Fisk, AAsa Fisk, David Davis. Samuel Davis, Robert Andrews. Ludim Andrews. Ezekiel Willis, Cyrus Munger and Ebenezer Moulton. Othniel Brown, who entered the naval service, was a native of Rhode Island, but lived and died in this town. Isaiah Blood, who enlisted from Charlton, Mass., also is buried here. Nehemiah Needham, a soldier of the French and Indian war, was a private
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under Capt. Ebenezer Moulton in the expedition to Crown Point in 1755.
During Shays' rebellion there was much local interest in ceeurring events, and tradition says that the prevailing discon- tent was felt in the locality. During the war of 1812-15 public sentiment favored the federal or peace party, and whatever there was of feeling in the town at the time. it was quietly settled in tavern discussions, where the worthies were accustomed to congregate and debate serious questions. In the war of 1861-5
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Wales, on the street
the town furnished more than sixty men for the several com- panies reernited in part in this locality, while a number of Wales enlistments were in Connecticut regiments.
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