USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > The history of Wilbraham, Massachusetts; > Part 21
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Sept. 25, 1862
July 14, 1865
Sept. 25, 1862
July 14, 1865
Irving W. Burr
Sept. 25, 1862
Aug. - , 1864
Died
Marcus H. Chaffee
Sept. 25, 1862
July 14, 1865
Nelson D. Crocker
Sept. 25, 1862
July 16, 1865
Died in hospital
Andrew S. Pember
Sept. 25, 1862
July 14, 1865
Walter S. Pease
Sept. 25, 1862
July 14, 1865
2ND MASS. HEAVY
ARTILLERY
Albert Converse
July
7, 1863
William P. Calkins
July 14, 1863
Dennis Duffee
July 14, 1863
Charles D. Jones
July 23, 1863
Jan. - , 1864
Merrick Lamphere
July 13, 1863
John Patten
July 14, 1863
Solyman Walker
July 13, 1863
James A. Rice
July -, 1863
57TH MASS. INFANTRY.
George M. Alden
Jan. - , 1864
Cyrus Ramsdell Daniel J. Simonds
Dec. 8, 1863
May 14, 1864
OTHER REGIMENTS.
Capt. Watson W. Bridge
Sept. 2, 1862
Lieut. Amos Ramsdell
Sergt. Luther Wing
Feb. 16, 1864
Richard Armstrong
Orange S. Firmin Peter Higgins
Chester Loomis
Horace L. Mixter
Charles F. Tilden
Sept. 16, 1861
Prisoner
William C. Williams
2
Robert Darrah
Edgar A. Stebbins
Daniel J. Simonds
Dec. 8, 1863
May 14, 1864
George M. Alden
Dec. 14, 1863
Franklin G. Patten
Jan. 5, 1864
John H. Williams
Feb. 20, 1864
George J. Jones
Charles D. Jones
Thomas Smith
1863?
Wounded
Horace B. Wood
1863?
Emerson G. Brewer
1862?
Died Oct. 24, 1864.
Alonzo B. Noble
Lysander Howard
George Leonard
William F. Darroch? Seth Allen Total number of Wilbra- ham men in the army
Others as substitutes, or hired to fill quota
21
IN U. S. NAVY. Franklin Cobb John Gibbons
Nov. 23, 1862
And 27 others hired to fill the town's quota. Total Total number of men furnished
29
228
1
Deserted
Dec. 14, 1863
Prisoner
Died
Died
178
199
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Of this number, about 15 were counted on the quota of other towns.
In July, 1863, fifty-six men were drafted to fill the town's quota, and on May 18th, 1864, and on five other dates twenty- nine others were drafted; making eighty-five in all. Of this number, five went into the army, four sent substitutes, twenty paid what was called "Commutation" of $300 each, thirteen were exempt, being aliens, thirty-nine were exempted for disability, one "Run away," of one it is recorded, "No such man in town," of one other, there is no record; and of the last name on the list it is recorded "Not called for," indicating the dawn of that delightful day when the awful struggle between the states of this great nation would cease, and the Angel of Peace would again dwell in our land.
There is a printed "List of persons enrolled in the Town of Wilbraham liable to Military Duty. Class First. Comprising all persons subject to do Military duty between the ages of Twenty and Thirty-five years, and all unmarried persons sub- ject to do Military duty above the age of Thirty-five years and under the age of Forty-five." Then follows the names of 183 persons. But six of them are endorsed as "already in the army," leaving a total of 177. "Class Second. Comprising all Married persons subject to do Military duty above the age of Thirty-five." Then follows a list of the names of 98 persons, but one is endorsed, "already in the army," and one as "over age," leaving 96, which with the 177 of the First Class, makes 273 in both classes. This "List" is signed by "H. M. More- house, Captain and Provost Marshal 10th District Mass. Nov. 25th 1863."
There is also a printed list, not dated, called, "New Enroll- ment," as follows: "Names of Men Enrolled in the Town of Wilbraham" which contains the names of 140, subject to military duty.
"The Rebellion Records" in the town clerk's office are very incomplete in many details. They show that six Wilbra- ham men were killed in battle, and that twenty-three others died in the service. Probably there were more. The records
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
give a list of the battles in which a few of the men took part. When the soldiers returned from the war, the town clerk asked some, perhaps all of them, to furnish him such a list. He asked me, and I did so, and they are recorded. But probably many of the others did not, and so there is no record of them. But I think that most of the men in the earlier, three-years regiments, up to and including the 37th, were in many of the great battles of the war.
The following song illustrates the spirit of the time.
TO COMPANY E 10TH REGIMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS By Mary J. Melvin Air-"Wait for the Wagon." Now, friends, if you will listen, A few words I'll relate, Concerning our brave Volunteers From Massachusetts state. The subject I shall dwell upon As quickly you will see,
Is all about the Orchard Boys, Who belong to Company E. Chorus-Hurrah for Captain Barton, Hurrah for Captain Barton, Hurrah for Captain Barton And the boys of Company E.
Their young and noble Captain Frederick Barton is by name, And in the town of Springfield He drilled his brave young men; And there he made them take the oath That they should all agree, To defend our glorious Union Brave boys of Company E. Hurrah for Captain Barton, etc.
On Hampden Park he kept them Sixteen weeks or more, And now they are in Washington Their absence we deplore;
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
But still we will not murmur For our Flag it must float Free! And this they will accomplish, The brave boys of Company E. Hurrah for Captain Barton, etc.
Although they call them "Barton's Roughs," Still, their Captain likes them well,
And tells them when they meet the rebels, "Boys, do your duty well!" And when we find old Beauregard We'll pin him to a tree, And hang Jeff. Davis on a limb Us boys of Company E. Hurrah for Captain Barton, etc.
And when we get the Union, We'll shout our loud Hurrahs,
To think we have been fighting For the glorious Stripes and Stars;
And still we'll be united, And firmly all agree, To return to Indian Orchard, The boys of Company E. Hurrah for Captain Barton, etc. Indian Orchard, Oct. 21, 1861.
When the war was ended, and the soldiers who had survived the terrible conflicts had returned to their homes, to resume the occupations which the war had interrupted, Dr. Stebbins Foskit, a physician who had lived his life among us in the noble effort to relieve the ills of men, conceived the idea of erecting a monument which should preserve their memory to future generations. He was not permitted to see his desire erected in enduring granite. But his widow, Mrs. Lucia S. Foskit, who is still with us, in full sympathy with his plan, carried the idea to a successful and appropriate consummation. The monu- ment was dedicated on July 4th, 1894, by E. K. Wilcox Post G. A. R. of Springfield, W. P. Derby Commander, and the address was made by our honored Pastor, Rev. Martin S. Howard; after which a free collation was served to about three hundred persons in the Congregational Church Chapel.
258
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
SOLDIERS' MONUMENT
The following is the inscription:
TO THE MEN OF WILBRAHAM WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY IN THE WAR WHICH PRESERVED THE UNION AND DESTROYED SLAVERY. THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED TO PERPETUATE THE MEMORY OF THEIR PATRIOTIC SERVICE. 1861-1865 ERECTED BY LUCIA STEBBINS IN THE NAME OF HER HUSBAND S. FOSKIT M. D. 1894
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
The names of all the soldiers, who were residents of Wilbra- ham, so far as could be ascertained, are engraved on the three panels.
The monument, above the foundation, cost $2500. The expense of putting in the foundation was paid by the veteran soldiers.
The "Crane Park," where the monument stands, was the birthplace and early home of Lucinda Brewer, who married Zenas Crane, the original paper manufacturer of Dalton, in 1809. She was the grandmother of our honored guest, Ex- Governor, and now Ex-Senator, W. Murray Crane, who has graced this occasion with his presence, and we appreciate his kindness. The park where the monument stands is practically the exact center of the town. Within recent years, I have heard the question asked, "Who wrote the inscription on the monument?" As the matter may come up again, I will say, Mrs. Foskit invited several persons to present an inscription for it, and she selected the one that I prepared. It is not copied from, but is something like the one on the Soldiers' Monument on Boston Common.
= -
HOME OF DR. AND MRS. FOSKIT. Both are seated on the piazza.
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
THE GREAT WASHOUT ON THE BOSTON AND ALBANY RAILROAD IN OCTOBER, 1869
The following account is copied from the Springfield Repub- lican of October fifth, 1869.
"The great storm of the 3rd and 4th of October, 1869, will long be memorable. Beginning before daylight on Sunday, it rained in torrents through that day and night, and not till the middle of Monday afternoon was there any cessation. During much of this time the water fell, as it were in sheets, instead of drops, and a more powerful storm would seem almost impossible. The weather records of the last quarter century have been searched in vain to find its parallel.
"The rain gauge of the United States armory in this city, showed that from 2 o'clock, Sunday morning till 7 o'clock, Monday morning, a period of twenty-nine hours, four inches of water fell, or an amount equal to the average monthly rain fall. In the tremendous rain of Monday morning (from 7 a.m. till 1 p.m.) 3.34 inches more of water came, and about three- quarters of an inch more (.71) before the sun broke through the clouds, shortly after 3 o'clock. Thus the total fall of water during the storm, from Sunday morning till Monday afternoon, reached the extraordinary and wholly unprecedented amount of 8.05 inches. Mr. Weatherhead has kept a record since June 1, 1847, and the greatest quantity of rain in any storm, during that time, was June 12 and 13, 1858 when 4.35 inches fell and the militia encamped on the island opposite the city was drowned out. The average quantity per month for the past 22 years has been about 3.75 inches; thus in 37 hours we received the amount due for two months.
"We had no trains at all from Albany yesterday, but trains ran as usual between this city and Boston until noon. The afternoon express train for the east left at a quarter before 2, expecting to make its customary trip to Boston, but was stopped at Wilbraham, where information was given of a bad break in the road, half a mile beyond the depot. A brook, which is usually insignificant, was swollen by the rain to a mighty flood, and throwing off the slight restraint imposed upon it by the culvert through which it usually flows, tore up the track for a distance of 200 feet, and gullied out a chasm in some places 50 feet deep. Conductor Whitney accordingly ran his train back to this city. Last evening a construction train with several big
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
head lights for illumination was run out to the break, to see what could be done to fill up the chasm. There are reports of other serious damage to the railroad near Palmer. No through trains were started from Boston, Springfield or Albany after the extent of the damage, east or west had been ascer- tained."
Further account given by the Republican Friday October 8th.
"The first train for Boston from this city, since Monday morning, left at 2.30, yesterday afternoon, and was composed of thirteen cars, conveying probably not less than 700 passengers. At North Wilbraham, omnibuses were in readiness to transfer the passengers overland beyond the great break, carrying them around about a mile to Butler's crossing. By far the larger part of the passengers, however, preferred to walk, and also to take the worst and nearest way, directly up the track to the great chasm, instead of following the highway.
The crossing of the brook, down the steep, shifting side of the embankment across the smaller brook at the bottom, which is almost a river, on single planks and sticks of timber and up the equally steep eastern bank, was successfully accomplished, and with skill worthy Alpine travelers.
"Men, women, children, babies and birds, besides innu- merable bags and bundles, were carried safely over, and soon the whole party of hundreds were enjoying and diverting them- selves on the green fields around Butler's. The first hour or two passed very pleasantly in grand picnic fashion, but after sunset the chilly night air made fires indispensable and they were not much sooner needed than provided. The farmer's fences were pressed into the service for the public good, and soon three mighty pyres were blazing, illuminating the heavens and comforting and cheering the weary passengers.
"For all this while they were waiting for the arrival of the train which left Boston at 3 p.m., and which was to transport them eastward on its return, and when that long train of four- teen cars and two engines did drive up, at 8 o'clock p.m., perhaps it was'nt received with cheers on cheers!
"There never was a more joyous meeting of strangers; the westward bound passengers were quickly loaded into the omnibuses; the eastward gladly entered the cars; and the parting was no less pleasurable than the meeting.
"The work of transferring the baggage to the train for this city occupied over three hours, and it was just 12, midnight,
TRAIN PASSING OVER THE TRESTLE AFTER THE WASHOUT.
264
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
when the first train from Boston since Monday noon arrived in Springfield.
"The work on the trestle bridge, spanning the departed cmbankment, is progressing very rapidly, and trains will probably cross it, today. Connection was made, last night, and foot passengers came over safely. The route thence to Palmer is only passable, and the north track is only used. Beyond Palmer to West Brookfield both tracks are made to do servicc alternately, neither being entirely sound. The seven freight trains which were stopped by the flood, between Warren and Brimfield, all arrived at Palmer, Wednesday afternoon, and are now waiting a chance to come further west."
Additional Reports October 9th.
"The reconstructionists who have been building the trestlc work at the Wilbraham break, completed the structure, yester- day afternoon at half-past-12 o'clock, sufficiently to permit the passage of trains. An engine and platform were run across to test it, just as Conductor Whitney's train hove in sight from Boston. The train passed over safely, and arrived in this city only about an hour later. Trains are now running both east and west, with few if any delays."
IN REGARD TO THE BUSINESS OF THE TOWN
The following items from a History of Massachusetts pub- lished in 1839, may be of interest :
"Population in 1837, 1,802.
"There were 457 Saxony, 1054 merino, and 781 other kinds of sheep. Value of wool produced $3,668.62.
"Capital invested $35,460.
"Value of boots and shoes manufactured $8,498.75.
"Value of straw bonnets and straw braid manufactured $2,000.
"Palm leaf hats manufactured 7,145 valued at $1,000.30.
"4 churches in the town, 2 Congregational and 2 Methodist.
"In 1837 the Academy had upwards of 300 pupils, 190 males, 114 females."
Part of the following items are copied from the Stebbins History :
"The first woolen mill in Wilbraham was built by Sumner Sessions, in the South Parish, on a mill-stream called Scantic
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
in 1845. It was rented and operations commenced by Levi Bradford and Eleazer Scripter, in April 1846, with one set of machinery for the manufacture of satinet. In 1847 there was a change in the firm, more machinery added, and increase of power obtained by the purchase of the carding machine privilege on the same stream. The manufacture of satinets, tweeds, cassimeres, and doeskins was carried on by this company until 1856 when a new company was formed with a capital of twenty thousand dollars called 'The South Wilbraham Manufacturing Company.' E. Scripter acted as agent and treasurer until 1860 when William V. Sessions was appointed in his place. In 1862 a large addition to the mill was built and another set of ma- chinery added.
"Below the 'South Wilbraham Co.' the "Ravine Manufac- turing Co." started in 1856 making two thousand yards of doeskins a week. Two factories on Eleven Mile Brook made low grade satinet about three thousand yards a week."
All of these mills are now out of commission, and most of the buildings have been destroyed. About 1790, an attempt was made by Capt. Joel Pease to erect a mill about 80 or 100 rods north of the Tinkham road, and about the same distance west of West Street, on Pole Bridge Brook, on the farm formerly owned by Roswell Phelps, and now owned by Mrs. O'Leary, and a dam was constructed; but the country was so flat that the overflow of the pond was very objectionable and the project was given up. In 1764 the town gave Caleb Stebbins of Wil- braham and Joseph Miller of Ludlow a deed of four acres of the Ministry lot on Eleven Mile Brook as a site for a grist mill. And in 1803, a carding machine was placed in a building erected by Jonathan Kilborn, on the same brook, near Stebbins Mill.
The large amount of wood burned by the early inhabitants gave an overplus of ashes, and William King manufactured potashes in the south village near the old meeting house, and Paul Langdon by the Potash Hill. I have learned from old deeds, that there was a potash works on the north side of the road leading up the mountain from the stone church, probably near the small brook which crosses the road. Thomas and Henry Howard erected a tannery at an early day on the north side of Springfield Street, by the brook near the place where
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Calvin Brewer lived for many years, now owned by George N. Chase. Abraham Avery had one, probably near where Mr. O. L. Millard now lives.
THE COLLINS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, at North Wilbraham, was incorporated in 1872 as the Collins Paper Company. The name was changed in 1876, and the capital increased to $300,000. The company, with some changes in stock ownership and business control, has since been in active operation, and its works comprise one of the principal industrial enterprises of eastern Hampden County. The plant now forms a part of the Whiting system of paper interests, and has been the largest factor in the growth and development of the northern part of our town.
The grain and milling business now conducted by the CUTLER COMPANY, also at North Wilbraham, was estab- ished at Ashland, Mass., in 1844, by Henry Cutler, where it utilized the water power of the Sudbury River, and was one of the first concerns in New England to grind western corn. In 1877 the city of Boston took that river as part of its water supply, and the business was transferred to our town, Mr. Cutler being attracted here by favorable railroad facilities and available water power.
The business has grown from year to year, necessitating the building of several storehouses and the addition of new equip- ment. The average daily shipments being about eight carloads of grain and feed. The making of milling machinery is also carried on to a considerable extent, and from the North Wil- braham office of The Cutler Company are managed several retail grain stores in other places in New England. Like the Collins Paper Company, the Cutler Company has contributed much to the growth and prosperity of our town.
THE LUDLOW MANUFACTURING ASSOCIATES, lo- cated in Ludlow near the northwest corner of our town, have contributed largely to the growth of the town in that section. A manufactory was first established there about 1815, and on December 31, 1821, was organized as the Springfield Manufac- turing Company, and a stone building was erected at the north
THE CUTLER COMPANY'S MILL.
-
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
end of the bridge, and a little west of the road, on the north side of the Chicopee River. The bridge was formerly called "Put's Bridge," in honor of the builder, Eli Putnam. A grist mill was conducted in the northeast corner of the stone mill, and a sawmill was operated on the south side of the river, in our town, for a good many years. I have taken grain to the grist mill and logs to the sawmill. In 1848 the company failed, and the business was conducted by Wood & Merritt until 1856, when the business was merged into the first Ludlow Manufacturing Company. In developing the village of Lud- low, the directors found that they were acting beyond the powers granted them as a manufacturing corporation. Which was one of the reasons for changing the form of organization to that of The Ludlow Manufacturing Associates.
In December, 1891, the company purchased a mill site just above "Red Bridge," and in 1900 commenced work on the present dam at that point. The power is conducted to the mills by electrical transmission. In 1905, a bridge was built across the Chicopee River near "Moran's Crossing," and tracks were laid so as to give the company a direct freight con- nection with the main line of the Boston & Albany Railroad. In recent years, a large number of dwelling houses have been erected in that part of our town, by the company, which, with the plant at Red Bridge, have added much to our valuation, as well as to our population.
In the year 1900, the old covered structure which had done duty at "Red Bridge" since about 1838, was removed, and the present iron bridge was erected.
OTHER INDUSTRIES
The raising of tobacco was considerable of an industry from about 1850, to about 1880, especially along West Street. And many of the farmers set out from one to five acres, with quite satisfactory results.
The crop was usually sold to dealers in Hartford and vicinity, who would come and inspect the crops at, or near stripping
269
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
time, in the late autumn, and arrange with each grower for the purchase of his crop, to be delivered at the place of business of the dealer. And, at that time of the year, it was no uncommon sight to see two or three two-horse loads of the product, wend- ing their way in company, towards the place of delivery.
I remember to have once gone in such a train, either to Warehouse Point or Windsor Locks. The general color of the tobacco grown here was quite dark, and in time the demand was for a lighter shade, for wrappers for cigars, and as our fields did not produce that shade, the demand gradually fell off, until the production of it entirely ceased.
About the year 1866, a cheese factory was erected on the south side of Springfield Street, a few rods east of the first branch of Pole Bridge Brook, where it crosses that street, on land then owned by Edwin B. Brewer, now owned by Mrs. F. A. Gurney.
The business was carried on for a few years, furnishing a market for a large amount of milk from the surrounding ter- ritory. But the business was not profitable, and was abandoned after a few years, and the building burned some years later. A cheese factory was also started at North Wilbraham a few years later than the other, with about the same result, as far as the business part was concerned. A building standing on the same site is now occupied by the general store of F. A. Fuller. The upper part of the building was used as a public hall until about 1890.
After the failure of the cheese manufacturing industry, an increasing amount of milk was furnished to the "Springfield Milk Association" for ten or fifteen years, until about twelve hundred quarts were taken daily, mostly from West Street. The number of cows in town increased from 475 in 1881 to 654 in 1890. Since then the number has gradually decreased until the town report for the year ending March 15th, 1913, shows but 398. Some milk is still furnished to the Springfield market, and the demand from our own villages is supplied from local sources.
The business of raising sheep, and the production of wool,
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
has had wide fluctuations. In the year 1771, there were 704 sheep in town; in 1838, 2292; in 1881, 86; in 1891, 7; in 1901, 9; in 1911, 7; and in 1912 none. Some other lines of business show more encouraging results.
THE PEACH INDUSTRY
The development of the peach industry, in recent years, has been of great benefit to the agricultural interests of our town.
The land lying along the western slope of our mountain range seems to be peculiarly adapted to the production of that luscious and beautiful fruit. And now about twenty persons in this town, as well as several in Hampden, have orchards of from several hundred to several thousand trees, and "Wilbraham Peaches" are not only known all over New England, but in other parts of our country, as having the best color and finest flavor of any peaches sent to market, and commission merchants assure our growers that there is no danger of over-production, because the excellence of the fruit wins a place for it in any market. Probably the largest crop produced in any one year, so far, was in 1911, when about thirty or forty thousand baskets were sold. Of course, this amount does not compare with the much larger crops gathered in the states further to the south, but it is a very respectable beginning for our town, which we expect will be increased in the years to come. In that year, 1911, I think Lee W. Rice had the largest crop, amounting to 9,600 baskets. Among the other growers who raised good crops that year may be mentioned, beginning at the south, E. Bliss & Son, James Powers, J. J. Lyons, J. L. Rice, J. W. Rice, C. P. Bolles, C. C. Beebe, D. H. Eaton, M. C. Wade, W. H. McGuire, and others who raised smaller crops. An account of the beginnings of this industry may be of interest today, and will be of especial interest in the future, if the busi- ness is continued.
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