USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Florence > The history of Florence, Massachusetts : including a complete account of the Northampton Association of Education and Industry > Part 8
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The allowance for board was fixed at the rate of eighty cents per week for all members over ten years old, and forty cents per week for all under that age. This was the expense of board at the "Community House" and included fuel, oil, and rent, and no charge was made for labor which was furnished by the association.
The spring opened with bright prospects, and the founders thought that at last their ideals were to be realized. A lyceum and book club were organized and a reading room fitted up in the factory building.
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The old oil mill was turned into a gristmill, and a cocoonery one hun- dred feet long by twenty-five feet wide was erected near what is now the junction of Park and Pine streets. Applications for membership came flowing in from all parts of the country. A personal acquaintance with the applicant was necessary for admission, and to make this regula- tion practical those who lived at some distance from Northampton were invited to visit the association for a few days. Sometimes applicants were asked to reside in the community for two, six, or twelve months, on probation as it were, during which time they received board and lodging in return for the labor they gave the association. If at the end of this time both parties were satisfied, the probationary members became regular ones.
Mr. Adam, as secretary, wrote to an inquirer : "The result of one year's experience has been on the whole satisfactory to all concerned, and although much pressed for capital we are advancing into the second year with increased energy and spirit." In another letter, in answer to the question, "What branches of busi- ness are in oper- ation ?" he says, "We cultivate a farm, we sell lum- ber and shingles, we grow silk and manufacture it. We have amongst " While firmer ice the eager boy awaits, Trying each buckle and strap beside the fire." -Lowell. us teachers for the instruction of our children, blacksmiths, carpenters, masons, and shoemakers.
* We need a wheelwright, a machinist, a bootmaker and a baker."
On the twenty-second of April Mr. Mack resigned the presidency, " in order that more complete and satisfactory arrangements might be effected," as the secretary's report reads. Mr. Adam also tendered his resignation as secretary and director of the Educational Department. Mr. Benson was chosen president and Mr. Mack assumed the duties heretofore assigned to Mr. Adam.
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An extract from another letter gives us these items. "We number thirty men above the age of eighteen ; twenty-six women, with six more hired to work in our silk room ; forty-six children under the age of eight- een. We have but a feeble commencement of a library and reading room, but have raised some more than one hundred dollars for these purposes. ** Our baths are yet in the river, and of course open to all."
On the first of June the report of the silk department showed a profit of $105.82 for the last six months. The director, E. L. Preston, resigned, and James Stetson was appointed in his stead. During the next few
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months much time in the meetings was taken up by discussing minor matters, and a committee was appointed to draft a new constitution. The new secretary, Mr. Mack, in a letter dated July 22, writes as follows regarding this document :--
I ought to say, however, that all our members are not satisfied with the modifications, and that there exists among us quite a difference of opinion as to the propriety of continuing the modifications permanently, or of returning to the provisions of the Constitution, though I cannot persuade myself that we shall again ever consent to give votes to dollars. Our experience has taught us some important lessons : That it is highly important to select members who are more interested in realizing the undertaking of the Association, especially their moral and social undertakings, than in making money: that to commence in debt is very bad, as expenses must multiply for some time and returns must be small; that full power to manage the various departments of industry and busi- ness should be submitted to the persons chosen to conduct them, and that they be not always liable to be called upon for explanation, reports, etc., and that
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experiments in business be postponed until they can be tried without involving the risk of serious embarrassment."
On September ninth the new Articles of Association and By-Laws were formally adopted. These were practically the same as those which had been in force since January. It seems that the stockholders, as a body, had not accepted these modifications of the original constitution, and at a meeting held on the thirtieth of September no decision was reached. The following protest copied from the record book explains Mr. Adam's position :-
" NORTHAMPTON, September 30, 1843.
" The meeting of the Stockholders of the Northampton Association, of which the present meeting is an adjournment, having been the first that was held this year, and the first consequently at which I have had an opportunity of expressing my judgment as a Stockholder of the proceed- ings of the present year, I avail myself of the present occasion to record my dissent in the most formal manner, and in the above-mentioned capacity, to certain of their proceedings.
" I protest against the changes that have been made in the Constitution as contrary to the constitution of the Association, as illegal, or contrary to the law of the land ; and as immoral or contrary to the plain- est principles of justice and honesty.
" I protest, in particular, as a direct vio- lation of the constitution of law and of morality, against the assumption, whether by individual members of the association holding office, or by the Industrial Com- munity in their associated capacity, of the power to appropriate the funds of the Association for any purposes whatsoever, without the sanction either of a regular vote of the Stockholders, or of the Di- rectors appointed by them as their repre- sen tatives."
(Signed) "W. ADAM."
DR. JAMES BOYLE.
The amended constitution was adopted by the stockholders October 28th, and the question was settled for the time being. The funds of the association were limited, and in November an effort was made to raise a subscription of twenty-five thousand dollars. James Boyle, as agent, was instructed to undertake this task and to lecture and hold conventions in
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the middle and eastern counties of the state. Mr. Mack and Mr. Benson were to co-operate with Mr. Boyle, the former being assigned the central and western portions of New York state. Mr. Adam was sent to New York city and Philadelphia to make arrangements with a publisher to print a literary article for the benefit of the association.
THE YEAR 1844.
The new year opened with the resignation of William Adam. He had never been satisfied with the changes in the constitution, as was shown by his letters and protest. At the second annual meeting the old board of officers was elected, but the financial standing of the association was not all that could be desired. In June Mr. Benson made a proposition to purchase the stock and property of the association at cost, and to assume all the liabilities, but the members were not ready to disband, and after a heated discussion Mr. Benson's proposition was rejected.
This year seems to have been a quiet, peaceful one in the life of the association. The organization had proved efficient, and the differences arising between indi- vidual members were easily settled, and har- mony generally pre- vailed. The unique character of the asso- ciation naturally at- tracted persons who had never been able to earn a living under ordinary conditions, as well as those who joined from higher motives than simply ELECTRIC CAK BARNS. to gain a subsistence, consequently the work was sometimes unequally shared. At one time the washing of the clothes belonging to the blacksmiths and farm labor- ers was assigned to a member, after others of greater physical strength had refused to do it. The complaint was made that a shirt was not washed clean, and the accused said, " If - would change his shirts more frequently, it would be easier to wash several less soiled ones than one which had lasted a week," whereupon the reply was, "Ah ! - is so stuck up now, I don't know what I should do with him with more than one clean shirt a week."
But hardships were endured without much grumbling, and the mem-
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bers labored as they never had before. One of them worked one and a half years and received in return board and lodgings, one calico dress, one pair of slippers, and one dollar and fifty cents in cash. Notwith- standing these unpleasant features, the members who still survive remember only the bright side of their life in the old association.
The Educational Department deserves more than a slight notice. William Adam was its first director, and he was ably assisted by Mr. and Mrs. Mack, who afterward succeeded Mr. Adam. Sophia Foorde was also one of the teachers. Many parents sent their children to the asso- ciation, and these "boarding scholars " were required to work as well as study. At one time, the forenoon from seven to twelve o'clock was
BRIDGE AT COOK'S DAM.
devoted to study, and the afternoon from one o'clock to sunset was given to manual labor. Later, more time for labor was deemed neces- sary, and the older scholars worked all day and studied in the evening. The tuition for boarding scholars was one hundred dollars per annum, which included everything save clothing, books, and stationery. A pupil received instruction in the mechanical and agricultural arts, sci- ence, and literature. In Mrs. Mack's class of girls were : Mary A. Rich- ardson, Sarah F. Stetson, Emily Brigham, Louisa Hill, Harriet Hubbard, Helen Adam, Anna Benson, Esther, Clara and Mary Cone, and a daughter of Josiah Hayward. Among the boys may be mentioned Horatio and Giles B. Stebbins, now both well known clergymen.
The old oil mill was now a gristmill, first floor, above was a shoe- maker's shop, and in the basement a bath room was fitted up. Mr. and
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Mrs. James Atkins remember hearing the scholars at four o'clock on winter mornings with lanterns in hand on their way to the bath house, where the ice in the tubs had to be broken before the morning bath could be taken.
At this time many noted men visited Florence. William Lloyd Gar- rison and wife spent several summers here. Wendell Phillips, George Thompson, and Henry C. Wright, and others of like stamp, addressed the Sunday meetings, which were held in summer under the gigantic "old pine " tree. When winter came the company assembled in the dining room of the factory building. Sojourner Truth, the African sibyl, could hold an audience spellbound, and her singing always brought forth applause. She was chief laundress of week days, and Mr. Atkins says he used to help her wring out the clothes on Mondays when work in his department was dull.
Social life was unconventional and free, running to the verge of pro- priety, but never beyond. The marriage and family relations were held sacred, and, notwithstanding reports to the contrary, no scandal ever occurred within the association fold. Many applied for membership this year, but the accommodations were already crowded and only enough were received to fill the places left vacant by those withdrawing.
All had not been accustomed to hard manual labor, and it is no wonder that some made better teachers than Community farmers. At one time a new gate for the pasture was needed, and Dr. Hudson and Professor Adam spent several evenings drafting elaborate plans for the new structure, only to abandon them all finally and decide to make the new one like the old.
This anecdote is equaled only by an incident which happened at a "candy pull" at the factory boarding house. Everything went smoothly until Professor Adam found the candy clinging closer and closer to his hands, and not knowing how to get it off he went rushing around the room with open hands and outstretched arms.
From sixty-five to eighty took their meals at the common table, and nearly this number found shelter under the factory roof. The other members occupied the seven houses owned by the association, which were distributed as follows : The Benson house at the junction of Maple and Nonotuck street ; the Adam house on Nonotuck street, later known as " No. to," and in recent years occupied by Major Angell : the " old silk mill boarding house"; Josiah White's cottage, which stood just west of the boarding house ; the Mack house on the other side of the bridge, north of Spring street : the Ross homestead and Gaius Burt's cottage, both near the Meadow street bridge.
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THE YEAR 1845.
Extracts from a letter addressed to Abner Sanger, Danvers, Mass., give us the condition of affairs at the opening of the year. The letter was evidently written by Mr. Hill, and was signed by the executive council, and the department directors.
We are not at all discouraged or disheartened at the withdrawal of ' those friends who joined us with ardent hopes, and soon left us,' for we have found they were not prepared for the great sacrifices (so called), the labours and trials to which we are called, and their absence proves a relief rather than disappointment, but we are aware that their withdrawal may tend to weaken confidence abroad in the success of our enterprise, and that in some instances at least they have used their influence to injure our credit. * There is a mutually good un- derstanding between us, and we have full con- fidence in each other, and in our ability to transact here a profitable business. We are determined to prosecute our enterprise to suc- cess if possible. * *
" We find the gross earnings of the Associ- ation for the year 1844, $7,361.19, an amount covering the estimated cost of living for the year, with interest and expenses, and that a great proportion of that sum, say at least $5,- 000, was earned the last six months.
"In the result of past exertions, and in the increasing advantages for business, we feel that we have a guaranty of future success, and, un- less we are cramped for means to do with, the result of another year must be triumphantly decisive and cheering. * "
: Seil the Thader : Sur- SOJOL.
The third annual meeting of the association was held on January twenty-third, and lasted several days. The influence exerted by " dis- affected members," who had withdrawn, was given as the cause of the failure to raise the twenty-five thousand dollars stock subscription, and many members expressed the opinion that "perhaps the best interests of the association had been as much forwarded by our disappointment in this respect as they would have been by obtaining the end proposed." As the various department reports were read, many complaints were heard regarding the management, and explanations were called for. Some time before, a new regulation had been adopted which gave the
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members the privilege of criticising one another as to conduct or habits and shortcomings, and might be called a "mutual criticism system." This provided for an officer named the " Intendant of Order," and he was required "to suggest to every one connected with the association the proper care and arrangement of the property or business of the association, and to persevere in such suggestions until they were attended to. * * It was expressly understood that the Director had no power authoritatively to interfere in the business of any depart- ment." The first one to hold this office was Elisha L. Hammond, who received his appointment on the eighteenth of January. Benson, Mack, and Hill were re-elected president, secretary, and treasurer respectively, and the annual meeting closed by adopting a set of by-laws providing for regular reports on the time each member had worked ; rendering indi- vidual accounts quarterly ; dividend made equally to all members in proportion to time worked ; and some minor matters.
Early in January the Gazette printed an advertisement which stated that the Asso- ciation was prepared to saw lumber ; that " Woodworth's patent planing machine" soon would be in operation ; that the gristmill did a general milling business ; that the association would make boots A IHIGH STREET HOUSE. and shoes, augers, bits, chis- els,etc., and would shoe horses and oxen ; that it had a press for cutting nuts, washers and sawmill saws ; and that a German dyer would color dresses, shawls and stockings, wool, cotton or linen.
To accommodate the increasing number of those desiring to live at the boarding house, several changes were made in the arrangements at the brick factory. The kitchen was removed to the basement, the din- ing room occupied a large room in the second story, a dumb waiter running up from the kitchen below, and the space thus gained on the third story was utilized for additional sleeping rooms. The new dining room was dedicated March tenth, 1845.
On the thirty-first of May, Mr. Benson, as president, and Mr. Mack, as secretary, resigned. Joseph C. Martin was elected president, and Hall Judd took Mr. Mack's place. In June negotiations were com- menced relative to starting the manufacture of cotton in the factory building. Mr. Benson was to form a stock company and purchase the
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factory, and in this way the association hoped to liquidate part of its debt, which steadily increased in size until now it threatened the life of the association. By the last of July the contract was signed, and the new company was to take possession in October. To take the place of the brick factory, the association be- gan the erection of a wooden build- ing near their sawmill, which stood near the present "round house" of the Nonotuck Silk Company. Three years of toil and struggle had had its effect on some of the members. The pros- pect of success seemed farther away than ever, and on September fifth David Mack and family withdrew from the association. Broken down in health, he repaired to Brattleboro, and sought recuperation at Woesselheft's water cure. Mr. Mack, one of the founders, had always been a pillar of the association. His resignation was followed by that of Mr. Benson, who withdrew October first to devote his energies to the cotton enterprise. Thus three of the leaders had left, but new men had joined who put their shoulders to the wheel with renewed vigor. Among these may be men- TOBOGGAN CHUTE-WINTER ISS6-S7. tioned Hall Judd, Joseph C. Martin, William F. Parker, James A. Stetson, James D. Atkins, and E. L. Ham- mond.
THE LAST YEAR.
The fourth annual meeting was held on January twenty-eighth. Martin, Judd, and Hill were re-elected executive council, and several new members were received. It was voted to allow sixty dollars per annum for the subsistence of every member over eighteen years of age, forty dollars for those between ten and eighteen years, and twenty dollars for those under ten years old. It was also voted that two thirds of each person's dividend of the net profit should be invested as permanent stock of the association.
The spring passed without any unusual incidents in the life of the association. The membership list had diminished somewhat, but those
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who remained displayed unswerving loyalty to the cause they sought to promote. Extracts from a letter penned by Bailey Birge in reply to an applicant for admission tell us how practical this body of reformers had become.
" We are in debt, and are obliged to work for our bread, and the compensation for labor is no more than food, raiment, and lodging, which I take it is all any man can have in this life. Our sources of pleasure are found in seeing our busi- ness prosper, and finding our brethren contented, cheerful, and industrious. With regard to the number of hours that our members labor, they are gov- erned by the same rules that govern all who are anxious to do the most they can to promote their own interest, thereby promoting the interest of all. Your queries I will answer in detail.
". .. . Is the divine art of music, " the soul of religion," as you are pleased to call it (though why I cannot perceive), cultivated among you ? and to what extent ? -. Answer. Every member is allowed to cultivate this ' divine art ' to any extent he or she pleases, provided it does not interfere with the daily duties and calls which our circumstances require from them. We have singing in great abundance. The birds about us sing. The girls in the factory sing, sometimes singly, at other times in duet and trio, making sweet melody ; at other times all striking different tunes ; then the melody is not so sweet. Every one sings who pleases. We have very few musical instruments among us. One lady has a piano, and one of our hired men had a fiddle, but, as I have not heard it lately, I do not know but he has disposed of it.
"2. "Are there many well educated persons among you ? ' -. Inswer. None to boast of.
"3. . What is the state of moral and intellectual cultivation ? - Answer. We all mean to behave well, and so teach our children. Our intellects are mostly exercised in contriving ways and means to earn a livelihood and to pay our debts.
" 4. . What arts and trades are pursued by the members, and can a proba- tioner take hold of any occupation he likes best ? ' -. Unswer. One member is a mason, one a blacksmith, one a joiner, one a shoemaker, one a miller, one a store- keeper and bookkeeper, one an overseer in silk factory, and a few do little in the way of labor, but see to providing ways and means, and stand ready to wait upon the working men and women, running hither and thither upon their call, so that they are not obliged to drop their work to wait upon themselves. These we call our Executive.
"6. . Of what religious seet are your members? "-Answer. Of no particular seet. Each one is at liberty to choose his own.
.... . Is the location of the place agreeable or otherwise ?'- Answer. About Soso. Not remarkable either way.
".S. . Is the intercourse of the different members with each other harmonious and agreeable '- Inzer. About as is usual in good neighborhoods.
"o . Do you consider the community a suitable and advantageous situation for the moral, physical, and intellectual development of the man ?'- Answer. It you allude to our association, I should say not for a man of your ' turn of mind.' and therefore cannot advise you to come."
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The summer came and went, but brought no relief to their strait- ened financial condition. The association was hopelessly in debt. As a matter of fact, only about twenty thousand dollars had ever been sub- scribed. This amount was paid for the property, and from the beginning money had been borrowed to conduct the business. As disaffected members withdrew their stock, matters grew worse. In April, 1844, only $17,000 was invest- ed, and the debt was $30,000. By the thirty-first of July, 1845, the figures had reached $39,196, about $25,000 of which A PICTURESQUE BARN IN THE MEADOW. was in the form of a permanent loan. In June, 1846, part of the debt was lifted by the Bensonville Manufacturing Company buying the brick factory, together with one hundred acres of land, but the erection of a new mill and the running expenses for the last year had kept the liabili- ties near the forty thousand dollar mark. Dissolution was near at hand. The following quotations from the secretary's book explain themselves :-
"Regular Monthly Meeting. September 26, 1846. Met at J. C. Martin's. The president in the chair. There being no business before the meeting, there was a general conversation among the members about the business, prospects, etc., of the Association, and many were of the opinion that it was best to dis- solve, as we were deeply in debt, and no prospect of there being any more stock taken up, which was the only thing that could relieve us, as our earnings were not large, and those members who had left us, whose stock was due, were calling for it, etc. Some spoke of the want of harmony and brotherly feeling which were indispensably necessary to the success of such an enterprise. Others spoke of the unwillingness to make sacrifices, to retrench and economize, on the part of some of the members; also the lack of industry and the right appropriation of their time ; also the apparent unwillingness of some of the parents to have their children labor as much as our circumstances seemed to require they should, and the indifference to the same thing, on the part of others. After a pretty full discussion of the matter, the meeting adjourned."
" At an informal meeting held at J. C. Martin's, Nov. 7, 1846, the Executive Council stated that, in view of all the circumstances of the Association, they had decided upon a dissolution of the several departments as at present organized, and should proceed to close the affairs of the Asson in accordance with the tenth article as soon as practicable ; and that no allowances for subsistence of members would be made after Nov. 1, 1846.
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