USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > The history of Wilbraham, Massachusetts; > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32
In the year 1876, Albert Bliss and his son Ethelbert, set out one hundred peach trees, on the farm made famous by the tragedy of 1761, and the fourth year afterwards had one good crop of fruit. The land was then seeded to grass with the
PEACH ORCHARD.
CLOVER MOWING IN BLOSSOM. And barn of Ethelbert Bliss.
272
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
result that there was an excellent crop of grass, but the peach trees soon died.
About the year 1882, William R. Sessions set out two hun- dred or more peach trees, on his farm, about half a mile south of the farm of Mr. Bliss, and in 1886 had a profitable crop of peaches. In the autumn of that year, he sowed the land with grass seed and the trees soon wasted away.
Mr. Ethelbert Bliss was not discouraged, but gave a good deal of thought and study to the subject, and became con- vinced that with proper care the growing of peaches could be made a financial success here in Wilbraham, as well as in some other parts of New England. In the spring of 1894, he set out 1,400 peach trees and in the autumn of 1897 he gathered over 1,000 baskets of choice peaches, and in 1898, 2,500 baskets, and the next year 4,500 baskets. He continued to set out trees until he soon had about twenty-five acres of peach orchards.
So the commercial peach industry of Wilbraham dates from the setting out of the 1,400 trees in 1894. Beautiful and well- cared for orchards may now be seen in many parts of our town, and many rocky pastures and neglected fields have become beauty spots, producing a substantial revenue. We hope the good work may be continued.
The following table gives the valuation of the Town of Wil- braham, and of some of the manufacturing industries, showing the increase in thirty years.
1881
1891
1901
1911
Increase
Wilbraham
$700,002
$758,025 $795,345
$1,136,659
$436,657
Collins Paper Co.
120,350
166,400
205,410
310,650
190,300
Cutler Co.
41,900
42,400
42,525
49,850
7,950
Ludlow Mfg. Co.
6,800
19,700
33,475
213,725
206,925
Wilbraham Woolen Co.
12,600
16,500
The factory of the Wilbraham Woolen Co. was destroyed May 14th, 1893. The loss to the valuation of the town was $12,500.
273
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
I find the following items, of interest to us, in a copy of
"THE MASSACHUSETTS
1Register AND UNITED STATES CALENDAR FOR THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1814
"RATES OF LETTER POSTAGE
"Every letter composed of a single sheet of paper, conveyed not above 40 miles, 8 cents; over 40 miles, and not exceeding 90 miles, 10 cents; over 90 miles, and not exceeding 150 miles, 1212 cents; over 150 miles, and not exceeding 300 miles, 17 cents; over 300 miles, and not exceeding 500 miles, 20 cents; over 500 miles, 25 cents.
"Every letter composed of two pieces of paper, double those rates. Every letter composed of three pieces of paper, triple those rates. Every letter composed of four pieces of paper, weighing one ounce, quadruple those rates; and at the rate of four single letters for each ounce any letter or packet may weigh.
"Justices of the Peace in Wilbraham in 1814. Abel Bliss, Jr. Robert Sessions. Samuel F. Merrick Augustus Sisson Walter Stebbins.
"Churches and Ministers in Wilbraham in 1814. Moses Warren. Cong. Ezra Witter. Cong. Ezekiel Terry. Bapt.
"List of Towns on Old Road from Worcester to Hartford, with names of Innkeepers in 1814.
Worcester Sikes
Palmer
Bates
Leicester Hobart
Wilbraham
Caukins
Spencer Jencks Springfield Williams
Brookfield Draper
Suffield Utley
Western Blair
Windsor Picket
(now Warren)
Hartford
Bennet
THE "CLARK" WARNER RECORD
I copy a few items from the record kept by Samuel Warner, the precinct "Clark," as he was called. The first entry was
274
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
made "March ye 15th. 1734," the last "Aug. 28, 1783." For forty-nine years and five months the faithful "clark" per- formed his labor of love, and twelve days after the last entry, he laid down his pen forever.
In all 1131 births and 311 deaths are recorded.
"Comfort Warner, the daughter of Daniel and Jerushe Warner was the first child born in the precinct, year 1734. She Dyed in 1757.
No. 240: "Thomas Glover dyed December 30th 1745, in the 88th year of his age. a bachilDor, Never was Married.
No. 123: "Charles Brewer, the son of Isaac and Mary Brewer, was born Dec. ye 18th 1748. The first that was Bap- tized in our meeting hous.
No. 25: "Ephriam Bartlit dyed February the 19th 1749-50 in the 77th year of his Eage. He was the first male Child that was born in Suffield.
"July 3ª, 1750, there was a thunder storm which struck Moses Burt's house in Springfield and tore the southwest corner almost to pieces, two children lying on a bed on the same corner of the hous Reseved no Damig, his wife at the window, was So numbed att first she new not what it was-Nor Can she give any account of the Claps only By what she see afterwards.
No. 84: "Timothy Mirrick the son of Thomas and Mary Mirrick was bit by a Ratel Snake on August the 7th, 1761, and died within about two or three ours, he being 22 years, two months and three days old and vary Near the point of marridg.
No. 52: "Cap. Coates a soldier sickened and Dyed January the 4th 1762.
No. 93: "One tramp as we sopose was found Ded on the road that Leads from Na" Blisses to William King's Soposed to have fit of the appoylex he was found Wensd 16th Day of May, 1764.
No. 101: "William Simons a hed of a family in this town froas to Death a-going from Daniel Hancock's to his own hous on Saturday, January 19th 1765, and lay until Monday Before he was moved. He left a family of ten children with his Wife.
September 12th 1768: "there was one Miss Hannah Bliss Daughter of the Re'nt Mr Daniel Bliss of Concord She Being
.
275
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
one a gourny to Hartford Came to the misfertin of Being Drownded in agawam river So called as she and a young gentleman her Loveyeur ware a riding in a Chais a Cross Sd. River. Sweet is love if soon parted.
May the 1st 1778: "there was the Body of a Man found in the Rivver between Lodlo and Wilbraham and a Jurey of inquest set on it and brought in was some sarpint laid on him was the casion of his Death 1778 -.
No. 236: "Marey Dumbleton, an old crase girl dyed January 19th 1779. She Being seventy (od) years old.
No. 254: "Dea. Nathaniel Warriner Dyed January 10th, 1780, he being in the 77th year of his age; he gave 400 pounds to the use of the gospil and Schooling."
With the record is an Almanac for the year 1748, one hun- dred and sixty-five years ago. Then as now it was sought to brighten the long list of dates, and hours for the rising of the sun and moon, the signs of the zodiac and prognostications of the weather probabilities, by inserting a verse for each month. That for January reads:
"Nectorian Cyder now, with Pork and Beef, Gives many an aching Stomach great Relief. And he that hasn't these, nor Money in his Purse, His case is bad, and's likely to be worse."
That for July is :
"Now wild Ingredients are together cramm'd, And into cloudy Cannons closely ramm'd :
At whose dread Roar fierce Balls and Fires are hurl'd, Omens of that that must calcine the World."
This was twenty-eight years before the Fourth of July was immortalized by the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It would seem that the day, or the month, had been observed as a time for noisy demonstrations long before the nation's natal day in 1776.
The verse for December reads:
"The trees to wear their leafy hatts forbear, In Reverence to old Winter's Silver Hair;
276
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
From Capricorn's cold tropic Sol looks pale, And Boreas beats the naked Earth with Hail."
The last day of the year 1748 closes with this report, and reflection :
"Another year now is gone But ah! how little Have we done!"
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN WILBRAHAM
Some of the early records of that church, were discovered in an old desk, a few years ago, by Mrs. Warner Chapin of Hamp- den, and were copied by Rev. C. B. Bliss in 1908. I have made a few extracts from the copy, which has been loaned to me.
"Aug. 31st. 1767.
"These are the record appointed by a certain number of men that was scattered up and down in the world, as sheep without a shepherd. Being something acquainted with each other's mind in matters of the greatest concern, we did appoint this thirty first day of August as a day of conferring upon matters of faith and practice, which was held at Capt. Zachariah Eddy's at Belchertown. After the meeting was opened by prayer, we made choice of brother Matthew Smith to lead the meeting; then chose brother Seth Clark to keep the records for us."
They then "confferred" upon a number of subjects, among which was:
"Seventhly, How we shall find a minister of Christ. Answer: We have him described to us in Titus 1: 5-10."
"The Articles Of Faith," were agreed upon at a meeting held October 1, 1767, and "The Brotherly Covenant of the Baptist Church in Wilbraham," was adopted March 12th, 1768, and at that meeting they "agreed that Br. Seth Clark has the gift of teaching, and have invited him to improve, and likewise find that Br. James Eddy has the gift of a Deacon, and have likewise invited him to improve in that place."
At the meeting held in "Wilbraham, Aug. 26, 1768," Elder Noah Alden, Elder Joseph Meacham, and Elder Ewings, with delegates, were present, "and they all agreed that we were a
277
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
church of Christ in the Baptist order in Wilbraham,-and Elder Alden baptized Timothy Burr."
Several other meetings are mentioned in the record, and I copy the following.
"Wilbraham, June 13, 1770.
"At the request of the Baptist church of this place, the fol- lowing elders met in council, for to assist the Baptist church in Wilbraham in setting apart Mr. Seth Clark as pastor over them in the Lord. The churches sent to, and now present are -Gloucester, Elder Windsor .- Bellingham, Elder Noah Alden. -Leicester, Elder Nathaniel Green .- Sturbridge, Elder Ewings. -Montague, (no Elder, but two delegates)-Enfield, Elder Meacham."
Each Elder was accompanied by two or three delegates. I have omitted their names to save space, but I am surprised, and pleased, to find the name of my great-great-grandfather, (on my mother's side), Israel Kibby, as a delegate from the church at Enfield. The day of June 13th was taken up with the pre- liminary work connected with the ordination and, "Then adjourned to June 14, 1770, at seven o'clock in the morning."
They met again in the morning and continued, and concluded the service of ordination, and the scribe closes the record as follows:
and the whole conducted with regularity and order. Signed in behalf of Council by,
Elder Noah Alden, Moderator Elder Ewing, Clark."
It seems that many members of the church resided in other towns. The record says:
"July 7, 1770. At a conference meeting held at Br. James Eddy's-Brother Clark mentioned the difficulty of all the church coming down from Granby to this place to the sacra- ment every time; requested the fellowship of the church, for him to administer the sacrament occasionally at his house, as he shall see fit. The church gave him fellowship."
On December 15, 1770, at a conference held at the request of Noah Clark and his wife, at the house of Brother Ephraim
.
278
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Wright, "then proceeded to look into each others minds as to our present standing, and after a due consideration, agreed to join in worshiping with them occasionally, at the house of Noah Clark, and so far to keep up a free worship . It would seem, from the above, that at first, some of the meetings were held in other places besides Wilbraham. There is one pathetic incident mentioned in the records which I copy.
"August 12, 1769. Brother Ephriam Wright being under weak and languishing consumption, requested a day to be set apart for prayer for himself and his family; the church granted his request .- he appeared before the church with his family, and gave up his children to the church, leaving a charge with them, (Viz .- Ephraim and Lydia)."
The names of one hundred and sixty persons are signed to the Covenant. Among them are twelve of the name of Butler, five men and seven women, the first being Joseph Butler. The one hundred and twelfth and one hundred and thirteenth names are, Patience Atchinson and Tabitha Atchinson. Tabitha Atchinson was born in Wilbraham in 1749, daughter of Benoni Atchinson, who lived on the east side of West Street, about one-fourth of a mile north of Springfield Street, nearly opposite where F. A. Bodurtha now lives. Probably, Patience was her sister, born before the family moved to Wilbraham.
"Tabitha Atchinson own'd ye Covt," in the First church in Wilbraham, "Dec. 13th 1767." It seems strange that she should have gone so far from her home, to join another church. Perhaps a case of discipline, in which she was concerned in 1767, may have had something to do with the change.
The Stebbins History says that the Baptists erected a meeting house in 1779. It was located some fifty to one hundred rods northwest of the cemetery at East Wilbraham, and for a time the Society prospered. "From 228 members, reported in 1802, the church diminished so that in 1807 it is reported to have "lost its visibility." The meeting house was destroyed by fire in 1833. Some of the foundation stones are still in existence. The starting of the Baptist church at "Colton Hollow" in 1794,
279
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
an account of which is given on another page, probably had much to do with the decline of this, The First Baptist Church in Wilbraham.
THE GLENDALE M. E. CHURCH
After the removal of the Baptist church at Colton Hollow, to South Wilbraham, in 1854, there was no stated place for religious services in that portion of our town, now called Glen- dale, but such services were held quite regularly in several private houses and the schoolhouse. It is said that a colored man, Rev. J. N. Mars, who had been a slave, preached there for some time about 1850.
Soon after that time a Methodist class was formed by Rev. Z. A. Mudge, who was pastor of the M. E. Church at the "Centre" in 1851-'52.
Lorenzo Kibbe, who lived on the east side of our Main Street, where Mr. J. A. Calkins lives now, (the Noah Alvord place) was appointed leader of the class, which numbered twenty-nine at first. Mr. Kibbe was a very large, portly man, full of enthusiasm and religious zeal, very fond of singing and with a voice like a trumpet. He walked from his home, to attend the meetings at Glendale in the evenings, and when the services were concluded, walked home again. And, on his homeward journey, after having climbed the eastern slope of the mountain and commenced the descent on the western side, he would break forth into song, and the sound of his voice rolled far down the mountain side and could be heard for quite a distance along our Main Street. I have heard it many times in the late evening, when I was returning to my home from some gathering in the village, along about the years 1853 to '58. Mr. Kibbe finished his work as leader of the class in 1867. From a record kept by Mr. Kibbe, I quote the following :
"About the month of July, following the organization of this Class, as many of its members had not enjoyed the rite of baptism, and as there was a difference in the minds of the sub- jects, as to the manner in which it should be administered, it was agreed to procure the services of both a Methodist and a
280
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Baptist minister. Accordingly Dr. Miner Raymond and Elder Pratt were engaged .- the preaching services were held in a grove, east of the school house. Dr. Raymond preaching in the forenoon and Elder Pratt in the afternoon, after which the baptism took place. Dr. Raymond baptizing one, and then Elder Pratt one, until all were baptized."
The place of baptism was the brook, or pond, northwest of the house of A. M. Seaver, then owned by Jason Stebbins, and the pond has since been used for the same purpose. Rev.
THE GLENDALE M. E. CHURCH. Showing Soldiers' Boulder and Cemetery on the left.
Mr. Haskell was assigned as pastor to this people in 1867, and it was at his suggestion that the locality was called Glendale. In 1868, a meeting house was erected at a cost of about $2,000, above the foundation, which was put in by the members of the society. The site selected, was on land of Chauncey Bishop, which was formerly part of the farm of Deuty Partridge, and his house must have been near where the church now is. The
281
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
location is also near the north side of the "over-plus" land of : the second division.
The society was incorporated under the name of the Glendale M. E. Church in 1869.
Rev. Edward Cooke, D.D., Principal of Wesleyan Academy 1864-'74, attended to supplying the pulpit for some time, sending students to preach when unable to come himself.
Many of the students who preached their first sermon in Glendale have since filled prominent places in the New England Conference and elsewhere. At least two have been Presiding Elders, George Whitaker and John Galbraith.
The people, realizing that those young men, who came, "Over the Mountain to preach to the heathen," must have a place to begin somewhere, were kindly disposed towards them, and testify that, with their enthusiasm and zeal, they did much good in the community. For a number of years the pastor who has supplied the pulpit has also had another charge, either in Wilbraham centre or at Hampden. The present pastor is Rev. H. G. Alley, who was pastor there for three years, more than twenty years ago. A Sunday school was organized about the same time as the church, and a library was gathered, with some assistance from Roderick Burt, who was a Wilbraham man, and a bookseller. Until the meeting house was built, the books were kept in a cupboard in the old red schoolhouse, and were afterwards transferred to a bookcase which was pre- sented to the church for that purpose.
THE GRACE UNION CHURCH AT NORTH WILBRAHAM
Previous to about 1874, religious services were held occa- sionally at private houses. Many of the residents attended preaching services at the Congregational Church in the Centre village. A "buss," or stage, ran regularly every Sunday for a few years, to carry the worshipers who did not have teams of their own. In 1874, as the population of the neighborhood increased, services were held in Liberty Hall, over the old
282
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
cheese factory, where the store of F. A. Fuller now is, on Sunday afternoons. Rev. Martin S. Howard, pastor of the Congregational Church at the Centre, conducted the services most of the time. A Sunday school was organized about the
GRACE UNION CHURCH.
same time. In 1876, those who worshiped in the hall formed the Grace Chapel Society of Collins Depot, and the erection of the present meeting house was commenced. The land on which the building stands was given to the society by Warren
283
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Collins, who was the first station agent and first postmaster at North Wilbraham (then called Collins Depot).
The Chapel was dedicated March 11th, 1877, with sermon by Rev. M. S. Howard, who was assisted in the other services by Rev. J. F. McDuffie of Ludlow. Previous to about 1878 the services were held quite late in the afternoon, as Mr. Howard preached in the forenoon and afternoon at the church in the Centre village. But, beginning with the year 1878, arrange- ments were made, so that the afternoon services at the centre, were transfered to the church at North Wilbraham, and the Grace Chapel Society contributed $300 annually towards Mr. Howard's salary, he serving both churches. This arrangement was continued for eight years, or until the year 1886, when Grace Union Church was organized. It was started as a union church with 48 members, representing Congregational, Method- ist, Baptist and other Christian denominations. In these last twenty-seven years of its history it has been a power for good in the community, and has received into its fellowship one- hundred and seventy-two members. Of the original members, eighteen are still living and eleven of them are residents of Wilbraham. The membership of the church at the present time is ninety-three.
THE METHODIST SOCIETY AT NORTH-EAST WILBRAHAM
Previous to 1881, a Methodist church society was organized in that neighborhood, and a meeting house erected and services held in it for a number of years until about 1893, when the building was converted into a dwelling house and is now owned by Mrs. Inez Perry.
THE CHRISTIAN UNION SOCIETY AT NORTH-EAST WILBRAHAM
After the decline of the first Baptist Church, I have not learned that any house of worship was erected in that locality for some years.
4
284
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Probably religious services were held in private houses occasionally.
On April 18, 1868, the present society was formed and the present meeting house was erected in that year. The land on which it stands was given to the society by Col. Benjamin Butler, and James K. Butler, a son of Colonel Butler, has been clerk of the society for many years. The services have been
THE CHRISTIAN UNION CHURCH.
conducted by ministers of different denominations, including those of the Advent faith, and in recent years, for part of the time, by the pastor of Grace Church at North Wilbraham.
THE CHURCH OF SAINT CECILIA AT NORTH WILBRAHAM
A society of the Catholic faith was gathered at North Wil- braham, and services were held in the Liberty Hall, until 1890, when the present church edifice was erected. Services have been conducted regularly since that time by Rev. William Hart, pastor of the church at Palmer.
285
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
CHURCH OF SAINT CECILIA.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The establishment and maintenance of public schools, has always been a matter of deep interest to the people of our town.
As early as 1737 the Town of Springfield "Granted to the Inhabitants at the Mountains on the East Side of the Great River for supporting Schooling there three pounds and to be paid as it becomes due to Nathan1 Warriner."
This appropriation was increased from year to year until 1749, when it was £ 35. But the apparent increase was proba- bly due to a depreciation in the paper money, which was then at about seventy-five per cent discount. For, in 1750, the amount appropriated was £4. 13s. 4d. "Lawful Money," (or coin). This amount was increased in 1755 to £6-16-7-1. On November 8, 1752, Springfield "Voted that Mr. Jacob White Mr. Nath11 Burt & Lte Samuel Mirick be a Comee to Examine the Circumstances of the Inhabitants of the Mountain Parish with Respect to the Towns Granting them a sum of money
286
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
towards Defraying the Charge of building the School House already built in said Parish & make Report to this meeting." On November 25, 1754, there is "Granted the sum of £6. To be paid to Ensn. James Warriner For and Towards the Charge of Building the school House lately built at the Mountain Parish so Called and to be by him repaid to the Several persons who were at the Expense of building the same." So it seems our first schoolhouse was built previous to 1752. It stood on the west side of our Main Street, about opposite the present Congregational Meeting House.
After the town was incorporated they voted, on December 1, 1763, "£15. for the support of Schooling." In 1775, the town was divided into ten districts and about one hundred and twenty-six dollars was raised for the support of schools. There were but two schoolhouses in town at that time, the one opposite the Congregational Church, already mentioned, and one on the "middle," or Ridge Road, about where the school- house of District No. 5 now is. The schools were mostly kept in rooms in private houses.
The teachers "boarded round," remaining at each house where there were scholars from three to twelve days. In the Wilbraham History, Dr. Stebbins says:
"This system was continued down to a recent period,-into my own days of school-teaching, and perhaps since. It was a great occasion, for the children especially, to have the school- master come to their house to board. The goodies were to be arranged in tempting richness and abundance upon the table.
"With what bewitching grace of mingled fear and delight would the little girl, her face all rosy with modesty, her eye sparkling with expectation, stammeringly, half-curtesying, half-hesitating, announce to you the thrilling news that all things were now ready, and that 'mother wants you to come and board to our house next week.' And when you gave the welcome reply, 'I shall be happy to go,' how lightly and jocundly she bounded away to announce the news to the envious group of her companions!
"From that night on, what a stir was under that roof! The candlesticks are scoured, the andirons put in order; the best bed, which had not been occupied for half a year, perchance,
287
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
overhauled; the best knives and forks taken out of their quiet resting-place and polished; the baby's dresses looked after and ironed out; in short, there was a universal brushing up and smoothing down of the whole premises. Especially did Jemima experiment on the possibility of an unaccustomed curl or crimp in her auburn hair. And when the time came for the master to make one of the household, how many benedictions did he pro- nounce on the extra rye-and-indian bread; the luscious spare- rib; the smoking cakes; and above all on the sweet, darling baby! And with what earnest importunity did the proud mother insist upon his taking one more piece of the cake redolent of the molasses coating, and making refusal impossible by insinuat- ingly announcing that Jemima made it! Ah, those were halcyon days,-the elysium of schoolmasters!"
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.