USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > The history of Wilbraham, Massachusetts; > Part 13
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"Jonas Banton, Nathaniel Hitchcock, Samuel Lyon, John Raymont, Asa Woodworth, Peleg Burdick, Phineas Mason.
"The following served at some time under Capt. John Car- penter :
"Nathan Ainsworth, Jotham Carpenter, Chester Morris, John Amidown, Phillip Lyon, Johnson Richardson, Isaiah Chaffee, Reuben Carpenter, James Richardson, Josiah Langdon.
"In Capt. Abel King's Co. Col. Ashley's Regiment:
"Jesse Elwell, Jabez Percival, John White, Eliphalet Hodges, Johnson Richardson, Francis West.
"In Capt. J. Woodbridge's Co. Col. Tyler's Regiment :
"Caesar Mirick, a negro, Gaius Stebbins, Oliver Sexton.
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
"In Capt. Joseph Browning's Co. Col. Murray's Regiment : "Asa Hill, John Thwing, Israel Conant.
"In Capt. Reuben Munn's Co. Col. Nathan Dyke's Regt. 1776:
"Daniel Bliss, Sergt., James Eddy, Aaron Hitchcock, Zadock Stebbins, Corp., John Russell, Gamaliel Dunham, Jos. Bumpstead, Drummer, Peleg Burdick.
"In Capt. Phineas Stebbins Co. 1st Hampshire County Regt:
"Lieut. Gideon Kibbe. He also served as Lieut. in Capt. Samuel Burt's Co. Col Elisha Porter's Regt.
POWDER HORN.
Carried in the Revolutionary War by Lieut. Gideon Kibbe, 1776. His home was near the southwest corner of the original town of Wilbraham.
"Soldiers who died or were killed in the Revolutionary War:
"Benjamin Chob, 1775
Malam Dunham, 1776
Solomon King, 66
Joseph Butler,
Nathaniel Miles, 1776 Daniel Warriner, 1777
Phanuel Warner,
Capt. Dan. Cadwell 66
George Mirick, 66
Serj. Joseph Abbott
Aaron Bliss, 66
Samuel Lyon 1778
Joseph Morris,
Moses Simons
1780
Benjamin Russell
66
John Chaffee
Josiah Wright 66
Luther Ainsworth
Joshua Leach
Isaac Skinner, by Indians
"In all, 20. Killed in battle, 4. Died by disease, 16.
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
"Revolutionary Pensioners:
"Ezra Barton,
$30.00 per year.
David Stebbins, $24.00 per year.
Henry Wright,
96.00
Samuel Chapin,
24.00
Levi Thayer,
96.00
Stephen Merril,
-Learned,
96.00
24.00 66
Capt. Shield,
120.00
Reuben Hitchcock24.00
-- Walbridge,
80.00
66
66
John Hamlin,
96.00
-Lewis,
96.00
Charles Cooley,
36.00
Samuel Lyman,
33.33
Robert Sessions
48.00
Names of men in the war of 1812, for seven months:
Ralph Bennett, Eleazar Hitchcock, Phineas Burr, Stephen Cadwell, Robert Sessions, Solomon Jones, Joel M. Lyman.
"THE GREEN"
SCHOOL HOUSE ON "THE GREEN." District No. 3.
Among the papers of Col. John Bliss of South Wilbraham, I have found the following Petition. It relates to the triangular piece of land in our town, known as "The Green." The school- house of District No. 3, is now located on it. An Act of the
24.00 66
Samuel F. Mirick, 246.66
Asaph King,
180.00 66
66
Chaffee,
143
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Legislature was necessary to permit the erection of the school- house there.
"Wilbraham April 25th 1769, to the meeting of the Inhabit- ants of the town of Wilbraham this Day Convened.
"Gentlemen there is a Corner or Wedge of Land being part of the overplus Land belonging to the Second or Middle Divi- sion of the Outward Commons so Called Containing about one acre more or Less and now uninclosed the same Bounded west upon the principal Highway in this town by Sergt Burts and there is in wedth near nine rods and runs thence Easterly about Fifty rods and ends in a point and also Lyeth South of the Highway which runs east and west upon the Said Overplus Land We, the subscribers therefore pray that this meeting will pass a vote that the said wedge of Land may be appropriated for the use of this town as Common Land or Highway."
"Voted and Established as before mentioned."
There was a library in Wilbraham much earlier than in many of the surrounding towns. I have not learned all I would like to know about it. I suppose that Solomon Warriner, the librarian, lived on the west side of Main Street, in the fourth house north of the Tinkham Road, where Mr. L. L. Stone lives now. At a later period there were libraries in some of the school districts. That in District No. 12, (now District No. 3) was kept by Reuben Pease, in his shoemaker's shop, on the east side of Main Street, which stood a little north of his house, now owned by the heirs of his son, George Pease, and occupied by Mrs. Miller. I drew books from that library about 1854. The school in that district was then held in the house now occupied as a dwelling by Rev. J. G. Willis.
WILBRAHAM LIBRARY
Evidently individuals bought shares in the same. Solomon Warriner, Librarian. I find 13 receipts, now in possession of C. S. Merrick, of some who sold their shares to others.
(Copies of a few)
"January the 7-1782
"To the Libryarian of the Libry Company of the town of
144
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Wilbraham or any others that itt may Conserne this may Sertify that I have Sold to Lt Jonathan Mirick my Rite In Sd Libry I therefore Desire you to Deale out to him as you would to me this from yours
Phineas Newton"
"This is to Sertify that I have sold my Wright in the Libery to Mr Daniel Hungerfoard the Bearer of these Lines; I desire you would Discord my name and Record his in the Room thereof in so doing you will Oblige
yours &c-Isaac Colton
"Wilbraham November the 16th 1789
"To Mr. Solomon Warriner Libarien"
"Springfield May 1st 1786
"To the Library Company of the Town of Wilbraham Gent" I beg to inform you, that at the time of the last meeting when I should have Carried my book in, the going was so bad on account of Crust upon the snow that it was almost impos- sible to have got there without going four or five miles round and the Same reason may (be) given for the other book which I have sent with mine drawd by John Passo (?) on Justin Cooley right, I suppose, and as the Books are not very Valuable I suppose it was no great damage. I shall take it Very kindly if the meeting will excuse me & except the Books now
"In so doing Gent" you will much oblige your most obedient & hum Sert
John Horton"
"I do here By Convey unto Gaius Brewer one Wright of my Libery in Wilbraham; & have Recd my pay and I would have you know? accordingly to Solomon Warriner Libreian
"Springfield March 13, 1789
Joel Day"
"Somers Sept 5 1781
"These Certifie all whom It may Concern that Mr. Charles Sheldon of Somers hath purchased my Interest In Wilbraham Library.
Sam11 Allis"
SONG OF THE HOE
In the Stebbins History, at the foot of page 301, it says; "Josiah Langdon was a man of literary taste, and wrote con- siderable poetry in his day. His 'Song of the Hoe' is the best
145
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
known." I am informed that the origin of the story was about as follows:
Stephen Newell, grandfather of Alonzo B. Newell, of the present town of Hampden, loaned a hoe to one of his neighbors, who did not return it for more than a year, and not until he had been repeatedly requested to do so. He finally brought it back, in the middle of a summer night, and placed the hoe against the kitchen door, with the handle resting on the door- step. When Mr. Newell opened the door in the morning, the hoe, broken and worthless, fell in upon the kitchen floor. I have secured a copy of the "Song" and insert it here.
THE OLD HOE-AN EPIGRAM
Good morning, Dear Master, you see I am come, 'Twas late in the evening before I got home, I found you were sleeping-I tho't I'd not wake you For fear you would think twas a Sheriff to take you.
So here I've been standing these five hours or more, This long Summer evening-to enter your door. Long time I've been missing, but now I return, And for my misconduct I heartily mourn.
Now into your favor if you'll receive me, I'll always prove faithful and constant to thee. Like the hound in the fable my teeth are worn out, Therefore don't correct me for this saucy bout.
But remember when young, I hoed all your corn, You ne'er had a better hoe since you were born. You've often enquired who hoed with me last, But no one remembered when since it was past.
The man whom you lent me to used me so bad, I ran away from him because I was mad. He did so much more and he hoed with me faster, Than e'er I was used to when with my old Master.
That I was resolved to throw off my chain, And live 'long with my good old Master again; For when you hoed with me the most that I did Was to serve as a shore to prop up your head.
146
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
So like the hound in the fable my teeth are worn out, Therefore don't correct me for this saucy bout; For when I was young I hoed all your corn You ne'er had a better hoe since you were born.
I came from the Eastward you very well know. So
I am your Servant
An Old Broken Hoe.
My skulking place a thicket of weeds near Hovel Lane 1791
To show some of the business done in ancient days I insert the following.
Copied from papers of Col. John Bliss, Esq., of South Wil- braham. Now in possession of Robert O. Morris of Springfield.
"To John Bliss Esq. one of the Justicies of the Peace within and for the County of Hampshire.
"Complains upon oath Aaron Bliss of Monson a miner Son of Jacob Bliss Did on the thirteenth Day of Febuary at his Dwelling Did utter one Prophane oath by saying I wont (?) by God I will not go ought and Amos Beebe of Monson at the same time said by God i will not go out all which is Contrary to Law and against the Peace of the Commonwealth and the Laws of the same Wherefore the Said Aaron Bliss Prays that the said Oliver Bliss and Amos Beebe may be apprehended and held to answer to Said Complaint and delt with (in) relation to the same as to Law and Justice shall appertain Dated at Wilbraham the Seventh Day of March 1798 Aaron Bliss"
"Hampshire S.S. The above named Aaron Bliss made oath to the truth of the foregoing Complaint this 7 day of March 1798
John Bliss Just Peace."
"March 9 1798 then Recd of Jacob Bliss 66 Cents as a fine of his son oliver for one Prophane oath
March 9 1798 then Recd of Amos Beebe a fine of sixty six Cents for one Prophane oath uttered by him
John Bliss Just Peace"
"The Town of Wilbraham to John Bliss. Dr. for Granting a Warrant to Carrying Abigal Jones a poor Girl to Springfield £0-2-0
147
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Do. to Giving the Selectmen their Oath to a Pay Rool 0-1-0 Do. to Giving a Warrant to Carry Merriam Wright a Poor Girl to Ludlow at the request of the Selectmen
Wilbraham Feb 5-1784. John Bliss
A true account Erors Excepted."
"Commonwealth of Massachusetts
to the Selectmen of Wilbraham Dr.
November 24 1780 and Jan. 8 1781
To 14 Shirts at £40 Each £560- 0-0
To 25 Pair of Stockings at £24 £600- 0-0
To 22 Pair of Shows at £40 Each £880- 0-0
Delivered to Mr Luke Bliss of Springfield for the Continental army for which we have Mr Bliss receipt
2040- 0-0
Transport ten miles £30- 0-0
Each of us one Day a Collecting Said Articles 105- 0-0
2175- 0-0
I got Reuben Chase Receipt allowed for Sixty Seven Pounds ten Shillings
£67-10-0
The account of Mr Shaw's brought to this Page is one Hundred three pounds ten Shillings
£103-10-0
£2346- 0-0
Got an order on Ezekel Russel from the treasurer for the money -~ "
-
(Probably for work on Meeting House, South Parish).
"To Mr. Aaron Stebbins 3rd Constable for Wilbraham
Sir. Plese to pay to the several Persons hereafter Named the Sums afixt to each of their names Viz
to Robert Russel £0:10 : 0:0
to Robert Sessions 0:5: 3:0
to Aaron Stebbins 2nd 1:0:10:0 to Aaron Stebbins to Abner Chapin to Leut Samuel Sexton to Moses Stebbins
0: 3: 6:0 0:3: 6:0 0:3: 6:0 0: 5: 0:0
2:11: 7:0
148
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
and their Receit Shall Discharge you So much on the ministry Rate Committid to you to Collect- Pcr me David Burt Parish Treasurer
Wilbraham March 26th 1785"
"1789 Paid bill of William King Jr. 7 pounds 10 shillings for work making Meeting House Doors."
"May 13th 1785
"Chileab Brainard Merrick, yeoman, Samuel Fisk Merrick Gentleman, and Abigal Merrick widow, all of Wilbraham Executors of the Will of Noah Merrick, had an execution against John Davison of Monson for 1 pound 18 shillings Lawful Money. (No account of the property attatched.)"
"1789 Samuel Fisk Merrick Gentleman of Wilbraham, got out an attatchment for 40 Shillings against Benjamin Swet- land, yeoman of Longmeadow Asaph King Dep. Sher. attatched 1 chair. costs 10 Shillings 8 pence." "1793 Soloman Warriner, yeoman brought suit against Jesse Warriner yeoman, for a note of 10s, 6P.
Asaph King Dep. Sher. attatched 1 hat."
"Deposition of Joseph Abit
testifies and says that on or about the first Day of March 1790 I was in Company with Mr John Shearrer Jr. of said Palmer at Wilbraham and he had his team and sled with him and as we ware Comming by Mr Thomas Hayls we made a Little stop and sd Hail come to the Sled and sd why here you have got my Chain and then the Sd Shearrer sd is that your chain and the Sd Hale sd yes this is my chain & the very Chain that I Lent to Noah Shearerr & I never could git it Before & now I mean to keep it & the Sd Hale takes the Chain from the Sled and said the Next time I lend him a chain I ges he will bring it home without my sending for it so often as I have for this one so he took the Chain away & carried it into the Black- smith Shop.
"(signed) Joseph Abbott. Jan. 15 1791
(acknowledged before a Justice.)"
"Wilbraham April 10th 1794
"To John Bliss (-&c) (condensed)
John Williams-yeoman Complains-that Phebe Barton- Spinster, on the 9th day of March, being Lords Day, did with voice and arms, within the walls of a House of Public worship,
149
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
then being in the time of Public worship, then and there behave Rudely & indecently, to the great disturbance of your complainant & divers good subjects of the Commonwealth." The Constable directed to aprehend the body of the Sd Phebe Barton to answer to the Complaint and to summon Lydia Willey, Parnell Patterson & Fanny Chaffee as witnesses.
FIRST CHURCH HISTORY FROM 1794
In the year 1794, the atmosphere of Wilbraham seems to have been unusually charged with religious activity and zeal. In that year eight parish meetings were held by the first parish, to devise ways and means for moving the meeting house down from its high elevation on Wigwam Hill, into the village. For twelve years they had wrestled with the question of finding a location for it that would be acceptable to all. At different parish meetings during those twelve years, they had voted to move, and not to move; to repair; to build, to locate on "David Warriner's land east side of the road (about opposite the north end of 'Rich Hall'); to move the meeting-house on Charles Brewer's lot; .... to set it on the south side of Joseph Saxton's lot; in the centre of the street." (Probably a little south of the present road leading up to the Woodland Dell Cemetery.) But, on April 18th, 1794, they "Voted that the Committee heretofore appointed to purchase a Place to set the Meeting House on be requested to proceed in purchasing the land of Jonathan Merrick-on behalf of the Parish for £33." And Gideon Burt, Joseph Sexton, Chileab Merrick, Reuben Sikes, David Bliss, Stephen Cadwell, and Ebenezer Cadwell were chosen a committee "to contract for the moving of the Meeting House into the Street in this by themselves or hiring it done."
The last parish meeting, held in the meeting house on Wig- wam Hill, was on April 18th, 1794. The next meeting, on May 22, 1794, was held "at the School House near Wm Brewers." On August 29th, "at the School House in the Street," and on September 11th "at the School House near the Meeting House." I have been told that the building was left in the highway, a little south of the road leading up to the Dell Cemetery, for
150
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
two or three weeks, and that several members of the parish desired that it should remain there. (Perhaps this may account for the unusual width of our main street at that point.) But, probably, late in August or the first of September, 1794, it was moved on to the ground where the Congregational meeting house has since stood.
The parish meetings of October 24 and November 3d in the year 1794, were also held at the schoolhouse, which was on the west side of Main Street, nearly opposite the meeting house.
At the meeting November 3d, 1794, the meeting house was new seated. The names of 104 men and of 22 women, some of whom were widows, are given as being seated in the body of the house.
In the gallery there were seated, 49 young men and 52 young women, whose names are given. Four of the young women were named Nabby, five Polly, and three Patty. Among the young men was seated "Black man Cadwell."
If we assume that there were 100 wives seated with their husbands, there would be about 325 persons in all. The next parish meeting was held at the meeting house on January 26th, 1795, and £413 was "voted and granted for the purpose of defraying the expenses of moving repairing and building the Meeting House and the Land on which it stands .... and all votes and grants heretofore made for the purpose aforesaid be reconsidered."
The Stebbins History says: "The tabernacle of the Lord is moved down from Wigwam Hill into the street with as much joy to all beholders as David moved the ark of the Lord from the house of Obed Edom into Jerusalem."
And today, one hundred and nineteen years afterwards, we can rejoice that one of the causes of disturbance and division among the throngs that went up to the sanctuary on sabbath days, was at last removed out of the way.
In those early days it was the practice to raise money for church expenses by assessing a tax on the property of the members, and while there was but one church here, the results were fairly satisfactory. But as other denominations were
151
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
formed, their members objected to paying the tax, and the parish passed many votes, at different times, granting to the Methodists and Baptists the taxes assessed against them. The first record that I have found is of the parish meeting held March 14th, 1786.
"Granted to Collector Ebenezer Cadwell as follows;
Sam11 Torreys Rat(e)- £0-2-11-2 Peter Walbridge Dito- 0-2-11-2 Moses Graves Do - 0-3- 1- Jonª Sikes Do - 0-2-11-2"
In 1796, the parish granted the following credits to the treasurer.
"To forberance of the Methodist taxes in Sam11 Warner Jr. hands £5-9-11 To forberance of the babtist taxes in Converse Cutlers hands £71-12-6
To Comittes order for the forbereance of babtist taxes in Luther Kilbons hands £7-16-1-2"
It does not appear that the first parish were over-zealous in collecting taxes from the members of other denominations, provided they were assured that they really did attend other services. In 1794, the assessors were instructed to leave twenty-four different persons, whose names are given, out of the tax list.
Notwithstanding this clemency, there were still some dis- senters and dissatisfied ones, and evidently the following meet- ing was called by some of that class.
(Note. The law provides that if the Selectmen of a town, or the proper committee of a Religious Society, "unreasonably refuse" to call a meeting of the town, or society, a Justice of the Peace may call such a meeting, upon the petition of a specified number of voters of such town or society. Within my recollection, a meeting of the town of Wilbraham was called in that way.) Apparently the parish committee had refused to call a meeting of the first parish when requested so to do, and
152
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
one was called by Phineas Stebbins, Justice of the Peace. The Warrant for the meeting is direeted as follows:
"Hampshire S. S. to the Collector of the North Parish of the town of Wilbraham, or to Justin Stebbins one of the Petitioners of this Meeting or Eyther of them (ete.) that they meet and assemble at the Methodist Meeting house in Sd Parish on the third day of February 1796 (etc.)
"Art. 2, to see if the Parish will grant to the Methodists their tax for moving and Building the Meeting House now standing a little south of Willm Brewers and their tax for the Support of Preaching in Sª House in Converse Cutlers hands and to order the treasurer to Pay Back all the moneys Collected on Sd tax to the Persons of whom Collected.
"Art. 3.
"to see if the Parish will Call on the Baptist for their taxes now in the Collectors hands.
"Art. 5thly
"to see if the Parish will grant an order that the moneys now taxed upon the Methodists & Baptists shall be appropriated to Building and Repairing their Respective Meeting Houses if the Sd Parish shall not Grant the Second article in this War- rant."
The meeting was warned, not by the collector of the parish, as customary, but by one of the petitioners and signed,
"Pr Me Justin Stebbins."
Notwithstanding this meeting was called to meet at the Methodist meeting house, the members of the North Parish were not caught napping, but gathered in such numbers that they were able to control the meeting, for one of their strongest members, Dr. Samuel F. Merrick, was chosen moderator.
Under Article 2, they "Voted and Granted to Gaius Brewer two Dollars for materials for the Steeple of the Meeting House which he once gave to the Parish."
Also, "Voted and Granted to John Crain (?) his taxes in Converse Cutlers hands to Collect-1£-13 -. "
Then, "Voted Sd Meeting be Disolved.
Reuben Sikes Parish Clerk."
153
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
On April 11, 1809, the parish "Voted that the Baptists and Methodists in this Parish who when able with their families worship in their own way shall in future be left out of the Parish Tax Bills, Provided they attempt not to act in our parish meetings, and those who of that description worship thus, but their families with us, they shall be taxed with others, but half their taxes shall be abated."
That would seem to have been a fair settlement of the troublesome question which had disturbed them for many years. On February 11, 1794, Rev. Joseph Lathrop, D.D., of West Springfield, the "moderate Calvinist," and peacemaker generally, preached a most acceptable sermon to the church, . probably in the interest of harmony among them. At the parish meeting, three days later, or, on February 14, 1794, the parish chose a committee to "present to Joseph Lathrop D.D. the thanks of this Parish for his Ingenious & pertinent sermon delivered on the 11th instant, and request a copy for the Press -and have the same printed at the expense of the Parish and deliver one Book to each Family in the Parish and a handsome Number to the Author . . to Defray the expense of printing out of sale of the rest." In a collection of several sermons and other pamphlets, owned by G. S. Atchinson of West Street, I have found a copy of that sermon, and insert a few extracts, and the title page.
154
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
THE FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL ILLUSTRATED IN A
SERMON PREACHED IN THE North Parish of Wilbraham FEBRUARY 11, 1794. On Occasion of the DISMISSION of the REV. JOSEPH WILLARD.
From his Pastoral relation to the CHURCH and SOCIETY in that place.
BY JOSEPH LATHROP, D.D. PASTOR OF THE FIRST CHURCH IN WEST SPRINGFIELD
PRINTED AT SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, BY JAMES R. HUTCHINS, FOR A CHURCH AND SOCIETY IN WILBRAHAM
MDCCXCIV
155
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
THE FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL, &C.
PHILIPPIANS 1 :12.
BUT I WOULD YE SHOULD UNDERSTAND, BRETHEREN, THAT THE THINGS WHICH HAPPENED UNTO ME,
HAVE FALLEN OUT RATHER UNTO THE FURTHER- ANCE OF THE GOSPEL.
Near the close of the sermon Dr. Lathrop said:
"Even infidelity has been made to subserve the cause of christianity. . . ::
"Disputes and divisions among christians are on many accounts, unhappy. They are found, however, to answer some valuable purposes. ... YOU, my brother, who are now taking your affectionate leave of the people of your late charge, will find comfort in the application of this thought.
"YOU here entered on your ministerial work with agreeable prospects: But by the hand of providence you have, for months past, been taken off from your publick labours. In the meantime, you have seen your people surrounded with dangers, and embarrassed with difficulties, of which you could only stand an anxious spectator. I can fully realize your pain- ful sensations, while you have looked out and beheld your flock, wandering for want of the shepherd's care, and felt your- self unable to watch over them, and provide for them suitable pasture.
"THE consideration of your health, and of the peculiar cir- cumstances of your people, has led you to conclude, that your removal from them is a step pointed out in providence: And they have concurred in the sentiment.
"WHILE we lament your removal from this people, it is a pleasure to find that you stand well in their affection and esteem and they in yours. You will remember, and pray for them still. May God mark your path, and guide your future steps; may he restore your health, and appoint your lot in a pleasant place; may he make you extensively useful in life, and finally admit you to take a distinguished place among his good and faithful servants.
"AND you, my brethren will also suffer a word of exhorta- tion.
156
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
"WE take a sensible share with you in the painful feelings of this day.
"THE long vacancy, which followed the death of your former pastor,1 seemed happily supplied in this his successor. But the prospect is now shaded. You are again exposed to the dangers of a vacancy, at a time too, when the great work of building a house of worship is before you, and unhappy divisions have taken place among you. We trust, however, it is the father's good pleasure to continue among you his kingdom. The things which have befallen you he can overrule to the promotion of the gospel. . . .
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