USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Ludlow > The history of Ludlow, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of leading citizens, reminiscences, genealogies, farm histories, and an account of the centennial celebration, June 17, 1874 > Part 6
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Henry M. Pease,*
Addison Waide,
Levi L. Pease,
George Wallace,
Lyman Pease,
Charles S. Washburn,
James E. Perry,
William E. Washburn,*
Anthony O. Pott,*
Abram W. Watson,
Daniel Pratt,*
Lovinski White,
Edwin Price,
Loren Wood.
Flavius J. Putnam,*
Henry Hobson was on board the Kearsarge, which sank the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, in the Civil War.
From detailed accounts of the life and incidents of the stay in An- dersonville, sent by surviving comrades who were there, we are per- mitted to cull brief selections:
From Jasper Harris of Holyoke:
The brigade including my regiment (16th Connecticut Volunteers) was captured April 23, 1864, at Plymouth, N. C., and taken en route for Andersonville, where our rebel guard told us was a splendid, shady camp, with plenty of new barracks for shelter. We arrived at the Anderson- ville station at dark on the evening of May 9. The next morning we were marched towards the stockade, a quarter of a mile away. Just before arriving at the main gate we came to a rise of ground from which could be seen the whole stockade, and most of the inside of it. I shall
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never forget the gloomy and depressed feeling with which I looked on the horrible sight. The high log stockade was composed of straight young pines, cut sixteen feet long, hewn on two sides, the bark peeled off, and then the log sunk on end in a trench six feet deep, close together, leaving ten feet at least above ground on the inside. Cross-pieces were spiked to each timber horizontally, making a fence strong enough to hold cattle instead of men.
Rations were issued daily, being drawn into the stockade by a mule team, and when divided and subdivided furnished each man a pint and a half of cob-meal and from two to four ounces of bacon. For a few days we received two common-sized sticks of cord wood to be divided among ninety men.
Grant's campaign had now commenced and soon more prisoners be- gan to come in. After a while came the Ludlow boys. The first man I met was Sergeant Perry, looking every inch a soldier, and in excellent health. The next was Flavius Putnam, a new recruit, captured in his first battle. I always knew him as being a thoroughly good man when I lived in Ludlow, and exceedingly strong and quick in farm work, and always cheerful.
If I should attempt to write a complete description of Andersonville and its horrors, of Wirtz, his guards and his bloodhounds, and all the sights and incidents which came under my own eye there and at other prisons during my eight months' stay, of the murders and robberies amongst our own men, of the hanging of six of them by a court of our own men,-it would fill the pages of a large book, while a part would be descriptive of such monstrous cruelty and so striking to sensitive minds that I am afraid it would not be believed if written.
From an account by James E. Perry of Adrian, Mich .:
Just two weeks from the time we were captured found us marching into the renowned Andersonville prison pen. When introduced into that foul den of crime, wretchedness, and sorrow, our hearts failed us, and we made up our minds for the worst, and we would rather have risked our chance with the regiment even in those bloody battles of the campaign of 1864. One third of the men who occupied that vast charnel pen lie buried there to-day.
Willie Washburn died August 21, Daniel Pratt, August 22, Eben- ezer Lyon, September 11, Caleb Crowninshield, September 15, Hiram Aldrich, the latter part of September, John Coash, during the fall, Flavius Putnam, some time in September, Joseph Miller (not from Ludlow) and Albert Collins of Collins Depot, during the summer. Putnam and Coash were admitted to the hospital and died there. I think it can be truly said that these men died of starvation, for we received nothing that a sick man could relish or eat.
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GRAND ARMY VETERANS, SONS OF VETERANS, CADETS, AND. SCHOOL GIRLS, MEMORIAL DAY, 1911
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1
CADETS IN FRONT OF SOLDIERS' MONUMENT, MEMORIAL DAY, 1911 GEORGE CHAMBERLAIN, CAPTAIN.
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MEMORIAL DAY
Memorial Day is observed every year by the veterans of the Civil War and citizens of the town. An appropriation is made each year by the town for the use of the Grand Army in the observance of the day. The children from the schools, the boy cadets, under command of Captain George Chamberlain, the veterans, and citizens form in line at the village and march to the different cemeteries, to decorate the graves of the soldiers therein, then return to the soldiers' monument at the Center, where exercises are held. Later they proceed to the church, where the annual address is given. Afterwards the boy cadets give an exhibition drill near the monument. Dinner is served for all who wish by the ladies of the church.
CEMETERIES
From the house of God to the resting-place of the dead is a frequented path. There are sufficient references to the places of burial to assure us that these busy scenes were often interrupted by the service funereal.
The first cemetery of Ludlow was given by Benjamin Sikes, the earliest in town of that name, and is known as the Sikes Cemetery. It is situated about a mile northwest of the Center, near Truman Hub- bard's. Mrs. Anna Sikes, wife of Lieut. John Sikes, was buried here in 1772. Benjamin Sikes was great great-grandfather of Otis Sikes, Mrs. Jackson Cady, and Danforth Sikes. There is something touching in the record of the transaction.
Receivd a deed of Gift from M' Benjamin Sikes of a Certain piece of land in order to or as a place to bury our Dead-voted also that the Thanks of the Town be returnd for the same to the said M' Sikes for his Benevolence.
A board fence around it was ordered in 1782. In 1865, Edward Sikes of Wisconsin, a descendant of the Ludlow Sikeses, and whose ancestors are here buried, left a sum of money to help build a wall around it, which was erected in the following year. This cemetery is still in use and in good condition. Many of the earliest settlers of the town are buried within it.
In 1792, the selectmen were instructed to procure a bier and keep it in the meeting-house. There are a few (1911) living who remember this
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bier. It was made of four-inch square white pine timber, the handles being rounded. It was entirely painted black.
In 1794, a committee was appointed to obtain a deed of another burying ground, and, seven years later, although a little late in the courtesy, the town thanks Elisha Fuller for the cemetery adjoining the church on the south. (Elisha Fuller was the grandfather of Edward E. and Henry S. Fuller.) This is known as the Fuller Cemetery. The first person buried in it was a grandchild of Captain Joseph Miller, who was crushed to death beneath a cart wheel. Some of the stones indicate that it must have been in use as a place of burial some time before the formal ceding of the ground. It was probably laid out in 1786, the first burial taking place that year.
It became necessary in 1805 to fence this yard with posts and rails and half wall. A dozen years later the people met to "spell" in repairing the fence.
In 1823 the town appropriated thirty dollars for a hearse. Before this time the dead were borne on biers to the grave, a journey of miles on foot being often required.
In 1825 the fences of both yards needed repairs. Simeon Pease, the wit of the town, bid off the repairs of the center yard at the sum of five cents, evidently to postpone the HEADSTONE OF HANNAH OLDS work until the town would do it with thor- oughness. In a few weeks he became one of a committee to build a thorough half-wall fence, with sawed posts and rails above. Great excitement was caused about this time by a proposition to move all the bodies previously interred in this yard, the proposition being scornfully rejected-how wisely is not evident.
A hearse-house was erected in 1827. It stood near the southwest corner of the present First Church and was painted red.
The East Cemetery, familiarly called the "Ould Burying Ground," lying partly in Ludlow and partly in Belchertown. is inclosed by one fence, each town caring for its own portion. It was laid out in 1801. The oldest stone in this cemetery is that of Hannah Jones Olds, who
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is buried in the Belchertown portion of the yard. She was born in 1728 and died in 1802. Here also lie "Nick" and "Tarzy," though on opposite sides of the dividing line. A bequest from Ludlow has been left for a lot in that yard.
The Center Cemetery, containing three acres, was purchased from Increase Sikes, and opened in 1842. Mr. Sikes found three cemeteries upon his farm at that time. The first person buried was John Q. Day, son of Zachariah Day; the second, a son of Henry or Harry Fuller, and brother of Edward E. Fuller; third, Harriet E. Burr, daughter of Lyman Burr, and sister of Benjamin F. Burr. All were buried in Septem- ber, 1843.
The lots in this cemetery were given to the residents of the town without cost, when a lot was needed, but not before. The remains of three of the Ludlow pastors lie in this yard, Rev. Ebenezer B. Wright and Rev. Jeremy Webster Tuck, who were pastors of the First Church for long terms, and Rev. DIds Daniel K. Banister, who was pastor of the Methodist Church and was here when the Civil War broke out, and whom the whole town loved. He attended the funerals of many of the people of the First Church and Society, as they had no pastor at that time. These beloved pas- tors are buried near each other on FOOTSTONE OF HANNAH OLDS the east side of the cemetery and north of the hearse-house. A minister from an adjoining town said as he stood by their graves, "What a pleasant spot for the burial of ministers, where they lie facing the East!" There are many handsome monuments in this cemetery.
The first mention of the cemetery at the village, which was later removed to Island Pond Cemetery, was on May 30, 1842, the year the town was asked to enlarge it. The tomb was constructed in 1846, at a cost of $100.
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HISTORY OF LUDLOW
The Island Pond Cemetery is the latest laid out. In 1891, the town elected three cemetery commissioners, Benjamin F. Burr for three years, Charles F. Grosvenor for two years, and Edward E. Fuller for one year, also Jackson Cady and Danforth W. Sikes in addition, together with the selectmen, to choose a site for a new cemetery. They purchased eighteen acres of land of Michael H. Lyons near Chapin Pond, about a mile north of the village. Charles F. Grosvenor took charge of laying out and get- ting it ready for use.
A year or two later the bodies from the old cemetery in the village were removed to the new cemetery and the old site was deeded to the Ludlow Manufacturing Associates.
In 1893, Robert Kyle was elected to succeed Mr. Grosvenor; in 1907, Elbridge J. Streeter succeeded Mr. Fuller, and Arthur M. Jones succeeded Mr. Burr, who resigned; in 1908, H. Berton Payne succeeded Mr. Kyle; in 1911, the commissioners are Minor M. Wilder, Arthur M. Jones, Charles Graham.
Many have left bequests, and others have given sums of money that the income may be used by the town for perpetual care of their lots. The town, however, takes good care of all of them, besides giving special care to those for which a fund has been left.
Bequests and gifts have been made by the following persons: Rufus Kimball, Mrs. Sarah Swart, Mrs. Joanna Fuller, Mrs. Martha Billings, Mrs. Martha B. Kendall, Mrs. Delia E. Talmadge, Austin F. Nash, Mrs. Susan A. Green, Mrs. Amnie Hubbard, John B. Alden; Mrs. Olivet B. F. Bridge, Mrs. Theodosia P. Clough, Isaac H. Plumley, Alexander Whitney, Mrs. Charles Beebe, Mrs. Lucy A. Perry, children of Daniel Brewer and Ela Walker, Mrs. Harriett A. Baggs, Mrs. Mary Tuck Vinal (daughter of Rev. J. W. Tuck), D. M. Collins, Benjamin F. Burr, and Chauncey Davis.
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EPITAPHS
The following quaint epitaphs are found in the three oldest cemeteries in Ludlow: the first six in the old Center or Sikes Cemetery, the next ten in the North yard or Fuller Cemetery, and the last four in the East yard or "Ould Burying Ground."
This stone is erected to the memory of a son and a Daughter of Capt Joseph and Mrs. Mary Miller (viz) Wilder, who died Oct 13 1786 in the 5 year of his age. And Joanna who died Dec 10, 1787, in the 3 year of her age.
When death receives the dire command None can elude or ftay his hand Nor can a hope or beauty fave From the dire conquest of the grave.
In Memory of Chester the Son of M' Asa & Mrs Sarah Dodge who Died Sept™ 11th 1805, aged 3 years 4 Months & 18 days
With disentery & with worms God did Death licence give To take my precious Soul away And fay I fhould not live.
In memory of Mr. Cyprian and Mrs. Lucy Wright who died as follows viz. She died August 22nd 1794 in the 37th year of her age he died Jan 7th 1779 in the 45th year of his age.
Kind reader, when these lines you see Think how uncertain life may be: We once had life & health like you But now have bid the world adieu.
In memory of Docr Philip Lyon who died July 25 1802 aged 40 years Who after having experienced the sweets of connubial bliss died leaving no family. his amiable consort died at Ran- dolph Oct 1801.
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Sacred to the memory of Capt Joseph Miller, who departed this life at West Spring field April 3 1803 Aged 79 years.
Praifes on tombs are titles vainly spent. A mans good name is his beft monument.
SACRED TO THE MEMO RY of Mrs Mary wife of Mr Leonard Miller who died in Childbed June 6th 1790 in the 38th year of her age Befides a birth and fhe left 8 fmall te Children to mourn her untimely fa
In memory of Mrs Sarah wife of Mr Timothy Root who died Mar 3
1785 in her 44 year Also an infant bury -ed by her side
In memory of MR GAD LYON who died Dec 26, 1815 aged 47 years.
Depart my friends dry up your tears Here I must lie till Christ appears.
In Memory of Mrs Cyrena Sikes the Consort of Mr Jonathan Sikes who died Dec. 11, 1808. Æt, 28.
Lie here dear Wife & take thy reft GOD cols the hum For he thinks it beft
In memory of Lieut JOHN SIKES who died July 27, 1807 in the 60 year of his age
Friends nor phyficians could not fave This mortal body from the grave Nor can the grave confine it here When Chrift commands it to appear.
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In memory of MRS HANNAH SIKES the wife of M' Benjamin Sikes who died Apr 17 : 1790 Aged 84 years
Life is uncertain Death is fure Sin is the wound & Chrift the cure
In memory of M' ABNER SIKES who died Jun 24th 1800 in the 70 year of his age
Our age to Sevnty years are set & not but few who to them get
Submit dautr of Mr Reuben & Mrs Mary Chapin was born July 3ª 1774 & died Oct 16th 1776
Merick Son of above Namd Chapin died at Fifhkill a e 16 22 Jan 1778 aged 16 Years
In memory of ℮ MRS Anna y wife of M' John Sikes who died June 9 ℮ 1772 in y 23rd Year of her Age
Boaft not thyself of tomorrow for thou knoweft not what a day may bring forth.
In Memory of MRS MARY SIKES wife of M' Abner Sikes who died March 10th 1818 85 years Æt
by faith in Christ I left this Stage
In Memory of MISS SARAH SIKES daughter of Lieu John Sikes & Mrs Sarah his 2d wife who died Sept 19th 1806 aged 20 years- -
The longest life must have an end Therefore beware how time you spend
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HISTORY OF LUDLOW
In Memory of MR BENJAMIN SIKES who died Auguft 2ª 1781 Aged 77 years
Death is a debt To nature due Which I have paid & fo muft you.
IN MEMORY OF THE WIDOW HANNab OLDS WIFE OF MR JONATHAN OLDS DECEAST WHO DIED FEB 3ª 1802 IN 74 YEAR OF
(illegible)
Mortals we are none can deny Farewell my friends prepare to die
In memory of NICHOLAS DANIELS who died April 26, 1827 Æt. 65
In memory of MR BERIAH JENNINGS who died May 12th 1776 in the 45 year of his Age.
BERIAH JENNINGS JUR fon of Beriah & Eunice Jennings who died Decr 8th 1775 in the 22 year of his age.
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.
Mr. David Paine Departed this Life July 2nd 1807 (by a cart wheel runing acrofs his breast: he expired instantly) Æt. 70 He was a friend to Religion & Piety
Return my friends without a tear Devote your lives unto God's fear: That you with him may always live This is the last advice I give.
Mrs Mahitable wife of Rev Ephraim Scott died May 25 1831 Æ 34 There is rest in heaven.
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COPY OF AN OLD DEED
(The original is in the Historical Room in the Library)
To All People to whom these Prefents Shall come, GREETING:
KNOW YE, That I Chauncy Brewer of Springfield in the County of Hampshire & State of the Mafsachusetts Bay Esq"
For and in confideration of the Sum of Fifteen Pounds Current Money of the State aforesaid, to me in Hand paid before the Enfealing hereof by Elisha Fuller of Ludlow in the aforesaid County Yeoman the Receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge and am fully fatisfied, contented and paid, HAVE given, granted, bargained, fold, aliened, released, conveyed and confirmed, and by thefe Prefents, do freely, clearly and abfolutely give, grant, bargain, fell, aliene, releafe, convey and confirm unto him the faid Elisha Fuller his heirs and Affigns for ever, A certain Lot of Land lying & being in the Town of Ludlow; being Lot No. 99: Originally laid out to John Miller; said Lot being Six Rods & five feet in width & four Miles in Length & Containing fifty Acres be the same more or lefs .-
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the before granted Premifes, with the Appurtenances and Privileges thereto belonging, to him the faid Elisha Fuller his Heirs and Affigns: To his and their own proper Ufe, Benefit and Behoof forevermore. And I the faid Chauncy Brewer for myself my Heirs, Executors and Administrators, do Covenant, promise and Grant unto and with the faid Elisha Fuller his Heirs and Affigns, for ever, That before and until the Enfealing hereof, I am the true, fole, proper and lawful Owner and Poffeffor of the before-granted Premifes, with the Appurtenances. And have in myself good Right, full Power and lawful Authority to give, grant, bargain, fell, aliene, releafe convey and confirm the fame as aforefaid; and that free and clear, and freely and clearly executed, acquitted and difcharged of and from all former and other Gifts, Grants, Bargains, Sales, Leafes, Mortgages, Wills, Intails, Joyntures, Dowries, Thirds, Executions and Incumbrances Whatfoever.
AND FURTHERMORE, I the faid Chauncy Brewer for myself my Heirs, Executors, and Adminiftrators, do hereby Covenant, Promife and Engage the before-granted Premifes with the Appurtenances unto him the said Elisha Fuller his Heirs and Affigns, for ever to Warrant,
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Secure and Defend againft the lawful Claims or Demands of any Perfon or Perfons whatfoever.
And I Amy Brewer wife of the faid Chauncy, do hereby relinquish all my Right of Dower or Thirds in or unto the afore bargaind Lot of Land.
In Witnefs Whereof We have hereunto fet our Hands & Seals this Twenty third Day of June Dom: 1780.
Signª Seald & Delivered in
CHAUNCY BREWER ( seal ) AMY BREWER ( seal )
Prefence of
NATHL BREWER EUNICE BREWER
Chauncy Brewer & Wife Deed to Josha Fuller Reid June 24th 1780 Wfees
Hampshire fs. June 24th 1780
Then the within named Chauncy Brewer acknowledged written Instrument to be his free Act & Deed-
before Wm Pynchon Jun' Just Pacis Hampfhire fs Springfield June 24th 1780
Received & Registered in Lib. 15. fol. 715 and Examined Pr Wm Pynchon Jun Reg™
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TOWN DEVELOPMENT
Population-Longevity-Highways and bridges: Early roads; First bridges : Put's bridge; Cooley bridge; First bridge at Collins Station; Red bridge; Iron bridge-Care of highways, Wages, Commissioner, State highway- Railroads: Boston and Albany; Springfield and Athol; Hampden-The street railway-The Ludlow reservoir-Fire department-Fire alarm system-Lighting: Gas, Electric lights-Telephones-Post office: At Jenks- ville, Postmasters; At Ludlow Center-Rural free delivery-Taverns- Stores: Center, Village-Savings bank-Court-Library-Antiques and relics-Hospital-Fraternal organizations: Brigham Lodge of Masons; Ludlow Farmers Club; Patrons of Husbandry, Ludlow Grange, No. 179; Women's Club; The Ludlow Social and Debating Club-Physicians- Lawyers.
POPULATION
IN 1774, the settlement at Stony Hill numbered two or three hundred. No further statistics are available till 1835, when the number given is 1,329; in 1840 it was 1,268; in 1850, 1,186; in 1860, 1,174; in 1870, 1,136; in 1880, 1,526; in 1890, 1,939; in 1900, 3,536; and in 1910, only a few less than 5,000.
Ludlow has long been noted for the longevity of its inhabitants. Of twenty deaths in 1874 (the year of its centennial) nine were of persons over sixty years of age, and one had borne the weight of a hundred win- ters less three.
HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES
Taking in survey the period from the incorporation of Ludlow to the end of the eighteenth century we find that it was a time of establishment. At its close, across the trackless wilds of 1774 were marked the lines of travel. The embryo neighborhoods of the earlier date had developed into considerable communities, while clusters of houses had been formed elsewhere. The fertile slopes of the eastern base of Mineachogue had been improved by the Danielses, Oldses, and Wrights; the dense woods along Broad Brook above had been invaded and appropriated by the Aldens, then nearer than now kindred of John Alden and "Priscilla, the
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HISTORY OF LUDLOW
Puritan maiden "; and there are not wanting those who trace the fairness of many a Ludlow maiden back
"To the damsel Priscilla, the loveliest maiden of Plymouth."
The Lyons also had commenced a settlement where their descendants now live and thrive, while the falls of Wallamanumps already had con- stant admirers in those dwelling near by.
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OLD LUDLOW BRIDGE ACROSS CHICOPEE RIVER Taken from Springfield side
The early annals of the highways are very defective, so much so that they can with the greatest difficulty be traced at all. The first roads in the town were merely bridle paths which were marked by blazed trees. After the incorporation of the district, the roads from the present west schoolhouse to Ludlow City, and from L. Simonds's to Jenksville, are the first mentioned. The old Cherry Valley road through to John Wilson Hubbard's, but not entirely as now, was laid out in 1782, and that
4
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TOWN DEVELOPMENT
from the Mann place (now E. J. Streeter's) to W. G. Fuller's in the same year. A highway from the East Cemetery to Miller Corner was pro- jected in 1784, and the same year one across Cedar Swamp. The road from the Congregational Church northward was laid out in 1800, and the land damages were one shilling per square rod. In 1793, a petition was sent the county officers to lay out a road corresponding to the route from Collins Station to Granby, as part of a line which shall "commode the travil from the eastern part of Connecticut to Dartmouth Colledge in New Hampshire."
The first reference to guideboards is in 1795, when it needed a com- mittee of nine to erect "way-posts."
Nearly every highway east of the mountain was either laid out or re- laid before 1811; a different course was marked out and worked from John Wilson Hubbard's and between Lovinski White's and the moun- tain south, where Jonathan Burr lived, to the Center post office, in 1803, involving the first construction of the terrible Cedar Swamp causeway, so long an eyesore to exasperated townspeople and bewildered selectmen. In 1817 was established the highway from Joy's store to Plumley's, to accommodate, it is said, travel from the Jenksville to the Three Rivers factories. A year later somebody called down the wrath of the county commissioners on the principal north and south roads through the town, resulting in general repairs and relocation of the Put's bridge and Belcher- town and Collins and Granby routes. In 1826 we find one of the earlier movements toward a money system of repairing the highways.
The road from the present Danforth W. Sikes place southward was laid out in 1834, and one or two smaller ways of travel established, while of course Cedar Swamp continued to perplex the citizens.
Before the opening of the eighteenth century only the most inexpen- sive modes of crossing the Chicopee were employed. It can hardly be presumed that the bridge for which provision is made in the charter was on the Ludlow line. A memorandum of highway survey bearing the date of 1776 speaks of the north end of a bridge which was probably at Wallamanumps. There were "riding places" or fords at Wallamanumps and where now Collins bridge spans the stream. As early as 1781, a committee from Ludlow was to meet another from Springfield to see about the construction of a bridge at Wallamanumps. In 1788 £50 was granted for a like purpose in April, and in November a committee on sub- scriptions was appointed, possibly to secure a better bridge than the town
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HISTORY OF LUDLOW
felt able to construct unassisted. In 1792 the bridge, which must have made pretensions to respectability, had probably become a river craft, for the town petitions the county authorities for another.
In 1794 plans more or less elaborate were consummated for a struc- ture, which was inspected by a solemn committee in the later autumn. The conditions of building are worthy of preservation.
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