USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Florence > The history of Florence, Massachusetts : including a complete account of the Northampton Association of Education and Industry > Part 17
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society, but a number of them, among whom the lamented Mary W. Bond stands quite conspicuous. She was for many years the treasurer of the society, and everywhere gave an encouraging word to those who were property owners, to make their places look as well as possible. At first the notices to meet for organization were not heeded except by a few, who, as every spring came, met together and chose officers for the com- ing year, and appointed committees for the care of streets, parks, etc., but as time rolled on those citizens who were striving to make their own premises look inviting enthused their neighbors, until at length the effort to beautify became a success.
There was in the matter of tree trimming a little jealousy, at first, on the part of a few, who seemed to feel that it was encroaching on their rights, but that has all passed away. The money that has been used for beauti- fying the parks was at first all obtained from the fees of members, but later fifty dollars of the amount appropriated by the city for improvements was secured each year for use in Florence, so that quite a little work has been done on the three parks, namely, the one front- ing Cosmian Hall, the one fronting the Congregational church, and the one be- tween Locust and South Main streets. FOUNTAIN AT COSMIAN PARK.
Among those who have been indefatigable in the work of this society, the names of George S. Graves and Henry B. Haven, senior, appear, the former in his care of the trees and the latter in his interest in the general work, parks in particular. It was wholly due to Mr. Haven's efforts that the pretty fountain fronting Cosmian Hall was secured. The above named gentlemen have been ably seconded in their efforts by S. B. Fuller, ex-Mayor Hill, and many others. The improvement of our vil- lage has been so marked that strangers who ride out from the Center are often heard to comment on the pretty appearance of the place.
When this society started there was nothing but gravel walks here, and the first concrete walk that was laid, was around the square, includ- ing the post office and Methodist Episcopal church. Some at first objected to paying for this work, but they afterward were very glad the concrete had been laid. At the present time the finances of the society are in such condition that with the opening of spring the same efforts will be put forth, and parks, lawns, street borders, and trees will all be looked after as usual.
THE CENTER OF THE VILLAGE,
BIOGRAPHIES.
SAMUEL LAPHAM HILL.
PREFACE.
On the list of the founders and upbuilders of Florence the name of Samuel L Hill must by general consent, stand highest. He claimed no honors, himself yet he was the uncrowned king, who drew the spontaneous love and admiration of all who came within the circle of his influence. To those who would know what he did for Florence we would say"Look around" for by his fruits you will know him. He gave to all who were near of around him, the full assurance of a man. ITis characteristics might be compared to a deep, clear stream, moving still but strong, often overflowing, but only to enrich the fields that it flooded His city brow enshrined a well balanced mind and The great south of an exemplary and unassuming man He was a stanch friend of the poor and orpressed and a Stout defender cifre thought and the Groundest religieus toleration.
Seth Sunt
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
BY ARTHUR G. HILL.
SAMUEL LAPHAM HILL was born July thirtieth, 1806, in that part of Smithfield, R. I., which has since been taken to form the town of Lincoln. Since 1763, the family had owned the poor, rocky farm from which his father and mother, Samuel and Olive (Lapham) Hill, now derived their scanty support. He was the sixth Samuel in the direct line of descent, and was first known as Samuel Hill, Jr. As each of the several Samuels had also been known as "Junior" in early life, the confusion was great
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when wishing to refer to a particular individual. This led our sixth Samuel to adopt Lapham as a middle name. The early history of the name Hill is obscure, but tradition says the name was originally Hills- grove, and that twelve brothers of that name came from England at an early date and settled near Newburyport, Mass. After a while by curtail- ment the name became Hills and remained thus for several generations, when one of the earlier Samuels dropped the " s."
The returns from the farm were extremely limited, and early in life each son had learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked when calls came for his services from the neighboring thinly settled towns. The Hill family were Friends or Quakers, and the simplicity of the dress, tastes, and requirements of these pure religionists left impressions on the mind of Samuel L. that remained with him through life. Like most of the boys of his time he had few chances for learning, and attend- ance at a small country school during the winter terms, for a few years, gave him the most of the education with which he worked his way upward.
At an early age the family needed his services to aid in providing the necessaries of life. Hard labor on the farm and work as a journeyman carpenter kept him busy during his youth and early manhood. His well-filled tool-chest, most of the tools in which were made or put together by lim, always remained in his possession, and in later years was often opened, and the tools used with the pleasure and satisfaction that only his early associations with them could have given him.
When about eighteen years of age his desire for a better education led him to save from his earnings enough to enable him to attend for a few months the well known Leicester Academy, in Worcester County, Mass. Before he had attained his majority he purchased the remainder of his time from his father and married Miss Louisa Chace, of Smithfield. As Miss Chace was not a member of the society of Friends, he suffered expulsion from his birthright membership in the church. He, however, always retained his early reverent spirit, and, though his religious ideas grew and broadened with his expanding life, deep reverence and humility were marked traits in his character. Feeling a necessity to do some- thing in the higher work, soon after he became an active member and worker in the Baptist church.
During his early manhood he worked at his carpenter's trade, taught village schools and writing classes and kept a small country store, all in the vicinity of his native place. In 1830 he became an under overseer in a cotton factory and soon thereafter removed to Willimantic, where he became respectively overseer, superintendent, and manager of a cotton factory, and thus made his beginning in his long and successful career as a leader in manufacturing industries.
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BIOGRAPHIES.
In Willimantic he became prominent in church and village work and did much to encourage his associates and workmen to lead better and purer lives. The spoken and written words of Garrison, Phillips, Bur- leigh, Pillsbury, Whittier, and other mighty teachers of " Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them," appealed forcibly to him. He became deeply in sympathy with the enslaved colored people and endeavored to get the Baptist society in which he was a popular deacon to place itself on the side of the down- trodden. As an officer of the church he opened its doors to the gifted Wendell Phillips. The anti-slavery lecture was disturbed and broken up, and the auditors driven from the church under a shower of rotten eggs, by a church mob headed by a brother deacon. This treatment, so foreign to the professions of his associates, so saddened and disheartened Mr. Hill in his church work, that he formally withdrew from the Bap- tist society and never again al- lowed his great mind and heart to be trammeled by a church creed, although his ideals were never lowered and his life was forever devoted to the uplifting of his SAMUEL L. IHILL. From Ambrotype taken about 1850. brother man.
He was an earnest reader of the progressive thoughts of the time and became familiar with the great men that were molding the age. Their words were incentives to him for higher and greater work. About this time cooperative and com- munistic ideas were being advanced and many writers advocating them. Mr. Hill became an earnest believer in the theory of these twin ideas. Although all attempts at making them practical had failed, he had faith that the times were propitious for another and more successful attempt at harmonizing humanity. For some time he had been in correspond- ence with others equally convinced of the benefit of a communistic society. and with the express purpose of forming one Mr. Hill moved to Flor ence from Willimantic in the spring of 1841. In the following year he
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HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
cast in his lot with others to organize the "Northampton Association of Education and Industry." Mr. Hill, from his experience, thoughtful- ness, and zeal, took a prominent part in the instructive and elevating work of the association, and was pre-eminently one of its great leaders. The branches of manufacturing that took his time and attention beyond what was required of him as treasurer were the silk industry, the saw- mills, and the gristmills, all of which proved moderately successful.
Upon the breaking up of the association, Mr. Hill interested his brother-in-law, Edwin Eaton, of Chaplin, Conn., in joining him in the purchase of the flat table-lands which form the center of Florence. This land was plotted, streets laid out, building lots sold as they were needed by the gradually increasing population, and financial assistance given to the worthy settler, to enable him to make a home of his own. It was a strong desire of Mr. Hill that every man of family should own his little home place, and his influence was thus extended. He had great pleasure in seeing the growing number of houses that owed an existence to his encouraging words and sym- pathetic money loans. The faithfulness with which the loans were regularly paid in the small amounts, from time to time, as they could be saved for this purpose, kept alive in him his great faith in the people.
When the Community dis- solved he continued the silk business, but soon (1850) had 1111.1. RESIDENCE IN 1869. his feet swept from under him by the failure of a brother manufacturer, whom he had assisted, and on whose notes he was an indorser. He carefully looked his affairs over, made his estimates and decided that under ordinary circumstances, by the strictest economy, he would be able, if allowed to continue, to pay all his indebtedness in a very few years. He visited his creditors, obtained a five years extension of time in which to pay them, and commenced anew a hard, self-denying, upward climb. Mr. Samuel L. Hinckley, a wealthy resident of North- ampton, having confidence in him, furnished working capital and the firm of Hill & Hinckley became favorably known in the business world.
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BIOGRAPHIES.
Within five years, by his indomitable energy, perseverance, and frugality, he paid off, one by one, each creditor. The chest of tea presented to him by the last creditor, a New York raw silk importer who held the last of the old obligations, became the symbol to him of the completion of a long con- test in which he had proved a conqueror. Desiring to extend the silk business, more capital was raised, several parties admitted, and the "Nonotuck Silk Company " incorporated. Samuel L. Hinckley was its first presi- dent, and Samuel L. Hill its treasurer and manager.
Mr. Hill's mind, hands, money, and influence became interested in everything that pertained to Florence and the public good throughout North- ampton. He took a deep in- terest in school matters. On many occasions he contributed largely to the school funds. School subjects were almost the only ones that he allowed himself to speak upon in the town meetings, as he dreaded the ordeal of appearing before the people as a speaker. Though a broad and deep thinker his modest utterances SAMUEL LAPHAM HILL. From Photograph taken 186%. embarrassed him. When pos- sible he would put his thoughts on paper and read them in preference to off-hand arguments. For many years he was on the school board, but would accept no other office in the town or state, although frequently urged to be a candidate for representative. On two occasions he was elected selectman, against his wishes, and promptly declined the office.
In the latter part of his life he was deeply considering what his final contribution to the school interests of the town should be. He inter- viewed many educated persons and carefully looked into the educational wants of the times. From the many theories and experiments with which he had become acquainted, he thought the following of great importance : A thoroughly equipped college for scientific research ; an institute in which physical culture should accompany a high literary curriculum ; an agricultural college ; a manual training school, and a
14
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HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
trades school, where young people should be taught to work with their hands as well as with their minds. The college for scientific research he at length dropped from his list, thinking that the schools already exist- ing afforded the needed opportunity in this direction. He also found that the amount required to establish such a college would be more than he could command. The physical culture school he left for some one else to develop, although he thought it was much needed. He foresaw that Samuel L. Holl the state agricultural col- lege, and the prospective early use of the Oliver Smith agricultural fund, would render another school of this kind in Western Massachusetts unnecessary. Manual training and education in trades were favorite ideas with him to the last, but the various attempts to embody them in a systematic course had not culminated in complete success anywhere. He therefore referred this subject to his trustees, to whom he addressed a communication ask- ing them to assist in the development of any system in this line that should seem practicable.
In his final conclusion he turned to the kindergarten method of Friedrich Froebel, as a more natural beginning for a child, than the system in vogue. He gave this method a practical test for a few years under his own observation, and that of persons in whose judgment he had confidence. Later he founded the Florence kindergarten.
Mr. Hill, as has been mentioned, was a birthright member of the Society of Friends. He afterwards adopted the doctrines, ordinances, and covenants of the Baptist faith. The last forty years of his life broadened his views until the brotherhood of man and his intimate rela- tion with the pervading Spirit of the universe were clearly and simply defined in his mind and heart.
He was one of the originators and most generous supporters of the Free Congregational Society, and frequently aided all religious ideas that seemed to him broad enough for the needs of the people. His ear- nestness in all things made him so devoted to his business that he always carried his cares about with him. This finally reacted upon his health, and, the last fifteen years of his life, caused a vigorous struggle against the encroaching disease, a struggle that occasionally care and change of climate seemed to affect, but in which disease finally came off the victor. The brave, conscientious man yielded up his life calmly and philosoph- ically, without a murmur or dread of the future, at Citronelle, Alabama, December thirteenth, 1882, aged seventy-six years.
Upon the death of his first wife, he remained for a while a widower,
21I
BIOGRAPHIES.
but finally married Roxana Maria Gaylord of Ashford, Conn. She died eight years after the marriage. Two daughters and a son survived him, all living in the village of Florence.
His life and career make an interesting study, and his record is that of a strong, earnest thinking, humane man.
CHARLES C. BURLEIGH.
BY SETH HUNT.
As a logical thinker and an eloquent public speaker, Charles C. Burleigh probably surpassed any one that ever lived in Northampton. Few men, anywhere, could so readily and ably extemporize in a public speech as that brave champion of civil and religious freedom. Some of his most brilliant and effective speeches were made on the spur of the moment. In discussing any ques- tion he was noted for stating the strongest points of his op- ponents, and effectually answer- ing them, so that when he had finished it seemed that nothing more could be said. The argu- ments on both sides would be ex- hausted. His diction was clear and finished.
Charles C. Burleigh was born at Plainfield, Conn., November third, 1810, and died at Florence, Mass., June thirteenth, 1878. He was from a family of marked mental gifts. His brothers were all noted for their talents. His father was a graduate of Yale CHARLES C. BURLEIGH. College, and became distinguished as a teacher of Plainfield academy. His mother, Lydia Bradford, was a lineal descendant of Gov. William Bradford, one of the Mayflower Pilgrims. Governor Bradford's quali- ties as a dissenter, a promoter of peace and a lover of liberty seemed to
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HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
have reappeared in Charles C. Burleigh, to be manifested under different circumstances, but still by one and the same spirit as that which brought Governor Bradford to the shores of Plymouth.
At the time of the persecution of Prudence Crandall for admitting a colored girl into her school at Canterbury, Conn., which persecution was followed by the enactment of the unconstitutional " Black Law " of the state, Samuel J. May, aided by Arthur Tappan, had decided to publish a paper to be devoted to the defense of human rights in general, and the Canterbury school in particular. Having seen an admirable article that was written by Charles C. Burleigh, and heard him commended as a young man of great prom- ise ; and having listened to an able speech from him, Mr. May decided that Charles C. Burleigh was the man for editor of the new paper. Mr. May says : " I drove over to Plainfield, from Brooklyn, Conn. ; Mr. Burleigh was living with his parents and helping them carry on their farm, while pursuing as he could his studies prepara- tory to the profession of a lawyer. It was Friday of the week, in the midst of haying time. I was told at the house that he was in the field as busy as he could be. Never- theless, I insisted that my business with CHARLES C. BURLEIGH, JR., ARTIST. him was more important than haying. So he was sent for, and in due time appeared. Like other sensible men at the hard, hot work of haying, he was not attired in his Sunday clothes, but in his shirt sleeves, with pants the worse for wear ; and although he then believed in shaving no razor had touched his beard since the first day of the week. Nevertheless, I do not believe that Samuel, of old, saw in the ruddy son of Jesse, as he came up from the sheepfold, the man whom the Lord would have him anoint, more clearly than I saw in C. C. Burleigh the man whom I should choose to be my assistant in that emergency. So soon as I had told him what I wanted of him, his eye kindled as if cager for the conflict. We made an arrangement to supply his place on his father's farm, and he engaged to come to me early the following week. He then put on the harness of a soldier in the good tight for equal, impartial liberty * nor are there many, if any, of the anti-slavery warriors who have done more or better service than Mr. Burleigh."
Mr. Burleigh had carly fixed upon the legal profession for his life
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BIOGRAPHIES.
vocation. When he was admitted to the bar in Windham County, Conn .. in January, 1835, his examiners were surprised at the extent of his acquirements, and he was pronounced the best prepared candidate tliat had been admitted to the bar in that county within the memory of those then practicing there. But, notwithstanding all his bright prospects of success and fame in his chosen profession, when he was asked to engage as lecturer in the anti-slavery cause, and while fully aware of the hard- ships and persecutions that would befall him, he replied : "This is not what I expected or intended, but it is what I ought to do ; I will accept the invitation."
Although a peace man, he was fearless and self-possessed in times of danger. He stood by William Lloyd Garrison and gave him timely aid when Mr. Garrison's life was in great peril from the great Boston mob. Mr. Burleigh himself was many times exposed to personal injuries by his pro-slavery enemies. Once while speaking in an anti-slavery meeting. a bad egg, hurled by an enemy, struck Mr. Burleigh on the forehead. Coolly wiping his brow, he said : "I always thought that pro-slavery arguments were unsound."
Mr. Burleigh was the first resident speaker of the Free Congregational Society of Florence. He held the office for ten years, and had often addressed Sunday meetings in Florence before the organization of that society.
His personal appearance was striking. He had a fine, animated countenance, mirroring an active mind and a great soul. He was tall and his frame bore the impress of great physical strength and endurance. Of no one could it be more truthfully said, that " he had the courage of his convictions." What he deemed proper to do, whether in matters of dress, of personal appearance and habits, or in regard to political, social, or religious concerns, he unhesitatingly carried out, however strange his course might appear to those with whom he came in contact. I remember his wearing a full beard, long before such a practice was con- sidered becoming or proper. He also wore his hair long and in ringlets.
His religious views were, in some respects, similar to those held by Unitarians. Probably few professing Christians have imitated more nearly than he did, the life of Jesus as recorded in the New Testament. He thoroughly believed, and, as occasion demanded, ably defended the broad principles of religious freedom laid down in the platform of the Free Congregational Society of Florence.
Mr. Burleigh's lamentable death was caused by his being struck by a railroad train at Florence, while he was hurrying to the station to post a letter. The funeral services were held in Cosmian Hall and were attended by a large concourse of people. Addresses were made by
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HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
William Lloyd Garrison, Samuel May, Mrs. Elizabeth Powell Bond, and Rev. E. G. Cobb, pastor of the Orthodox church at Florence. The remains were buried in the old Florence cemetery, by the side of Mr. Burleigh's beloved and devoted wife, whose rare mental gifts and brave consecration to reformatory movements made her a worthy helpmate. As their joint epitaph records, they were " truly one in work and spirit."
DANIEL GREENE LITTLEFIELD.
BY THE EDITOR.
DANIEL GREENE LITTLEFIELD was born in North Kingstown, R. I., November twenty-third, 1822. He was the third son of the family of eleven children of John and Deborah (Himes) Littlefield. Left to the sole care of their mother, her children were brought up according to the accepted New England idea of youth- ful training. At the age of eight, Daniel went to work in the Jackson cotton factory in the town of Scitu- ate, where his parents then resided. Even at this tender age he gave evi- dence of those sterling qualities that were so characteristic of him in his maturer years. His fidelity and de- termination to master every detail of the business were marked. For over twenty years he labored in cotton and woolen mills, and machine shops, and made himself thoroughly acquainted with whatever business he was en- gaged in and with whatever machine he worked upon. Naturally of a me- DANIEL GREENE LITTLEFIELD. chanical and inventive turn of mind, his early training and experience proved of great value to him in after years. From bobbin boy he became secondhand, overseer, and superin- tendent. In 1846 he came to Florence, and assisted in starting the cot- ton mill, a few months before the dissolution of the Community.
Leaving Florence he went to Northampton and engaged in the dry goods business. Two years later, his store having been destroyed by fire, he went to Haydenville and assisted in establishing a cotton mill for Hayden & Sanders. After two years in this mill, he became proprietor
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BIOGRAPHIES.
of a " country variety store " in Haydenville, and later traveling salesman for Hayden & Sanders.
About 1854 he came to Florence and was employed as traveling salesman and business manager by A. P. Critchlow & Company. Shortly after he became a partner in the business, Mr. Critchlow retiring, and the name was changed to Littlefield, Parsons & Co. This firm continued business until 1866, when the Florence Manufacturing Company was formed, with Mr. Littlefield as president.
At this time he was also interested with S. L. Hill and Hiram Wells, in the manufacture of pumps and grip wrenches. The death, in 1859, of Mr. Wells, by the boiler explosion, ended the pump business, and as the Florence sewing ma- chine was just material- izing, Mr. Littlefield turned his energies in that direction. He was one of the founders of the Florence Sewing Ma- chine Company, and, on the retirement of Mr. Hill from the business, he became its president, which position he held up to the time of his death in May, 1891.
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