USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > The history of Wilbraham, Massachusetts; > Part 25
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(Name torn off.)
"Hartford 7th Feby 1790
Recd from Amor Bull 24 peices of Gold weight 135 dws which I promise to deliver Mr James Cummings No. 1 William Street New York immediately on my arrival next Wednesday
signed James Warner." (But most of the name torn off.)
"New York June 1st 1790
Received of Prosper Wetmore a ticket in the second Class of Massachusetts State Lottery No. 2865 which has drawn a prize of one Hundred Dollars, which I promise to receive, and bring on to said P. Wetmore or return the ticket. to receive for my trouble one per Cent commission
James Warner"
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
"Recd of Norman Butler one small tied Bundle said to con- tain Two South Carolina State Notes amounting to One Hun- dred fifty five pounds 11-s Sterling which Bundle is directed to Daniel Pomfret Merchant Water Street New York and which I am to deliver Sd Pomfret on my arrival in New York with the next mail. Hartford 6th Sep. 1790, for Levi Pease. James Warner."
(About 90 receipts similar to these four, given by James Warner as conductor of the mail in 1790.)
Copy of Act of Legislature about 1745:
"Be it enacted &c that Whenever aney Dog Shall Kill or Wound aney Sheep and proof Be made there of Before aney of his magistes Justes of ye pees for the County whare such Damig is Don ye Sd) Justis is Reg spedily to Notify ye oner of Sd Dog of such Damig and if ye Dog be not Killd within 48 ours after such notis given ye oner shall forfit ye sum of five pounds to be recovered."
"Recd Wilbraham April 14th 1774 of James Warner his promissory note of hand for the sum of £6. 18s. when paid, in full for my services in teaching a Singing School the Winter past also for the Bass Viol which I made in that time. Witness my hand George Allen."
Among the papers of James Warner I found the following, which is so quaint and peculiar that it seems worth preserving.
JAMES WARNER'S "DREAM"
When Sol from high meridian had finishd his carear A Lively semicircle in the West then did appear With a dark shady mantle the Globe all round was drest And over the Blue Canopy the Stars were interspersed
Strait unto my Chamber then instantly I Came Leaning down upon my Bed I fell into a dream I thought four men in ancient Dress presented me a hand They told me I might admittance find By the order of St John
They told me the four Brethering wear & from Jeraslam came In Solomans time the porters ware all round the temple of fame there was Solam Highman & acib their names I did enquire and talman a So Jorner wear and came from mount Moria
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
They ordered me for to Repair all with a Cemely Grace Unto the mount of Horab to view that holy place Talman he Gave orders & bid me not refuse Upon that holy mountain for to take off my shoes
Then to the Mount moriah Side a pilgrim I did Repair With Cherubims & palm trees the walls all Coverd wear When in a trembleing poister I knocked at a door-
Resolvd if I admittance found to See the thrashing floor-
But orders from the alter Came for to Examin me Upon A point I Entered & Being Born free
I heard a Noise come from the East which made a glorious sound
Then from my eyes a soit did drop & soon a light I found
What glorious things I then did see I mean for to Conceal To none But such as I am I Ever will Reveal
I then Got orders for to proceed & leave that holy mountain Straitway I was Conducted Back to Jordons Christal fountain
Over Jordans Stream we passed as I must tell you true Of Ephramites at once they fell thousands forty two Yet I was Resolvd once more to See moriahs holy Ground When I came there such Raps I gave as made the solemn sound
Then Back to Enochs Building to view that Lovely town- He was a son to Lamach a Craft of high Renown- I understand you are a Craft By what you tell to me And finer in mettle you are Skild so you may Enter free
Then to the East of Eden to view that holy ground- You was a son Lamach A Craft of high Renown-
Of him I friendship found I thought myself secure- And a master Builder I was made on arons threshing floor
All round the Pallies I was Brought to wisdoms temple door Conducted I was to the East of Aarons threshing floor-
Five noble orders I was taught all round this temple of fame Sudenly I then awoke & found it was a dream-
the end- James Warner Wilbraham S O M
This "dream" was probably written about 1790, as it was with papers of that date. What meaning the letters, "S O M," were intended to convey, I am not able to tell. They may have meant, Son Of Massachusetts. But, considering the scenes, and the characters presented, it is more likely they meant, Son Of Moriah, or, Son Of Melchizedek, or any other of many titles which may be imagined.
1404
Millerahamburg
Breakfast
Dinner
Supper Loocing
Wine
Pinnich
-
QInter
Grog Bo. Servants
HORSES to hay
QUARTS oats
inthe Stage from Anotherday
. 7.00
Baggage
Total 9 74
Received Paymir y
A RELIC OF STAGECOACH DAYS.
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM DIARY OF JANE RINDGE
I have had an opportunity to read that diary, and as it illus- trates the difference in the methods of travel, then and now, I insert a few lines.
"July 16, 1838, Commenced a short Tour to New York and Philadelphia.
"Left Springfield in the Steam Boat Agawam with a pleasant company on board most of whom were strangers. . . When at. Ware House point there were four more added to our little company one of which we Judged to be an Episcopal Minister. Arrived at Hartford about eleven . . . put up at Treat's the Temperance House. Visited Charter Oak memorable for depositing the British Charter in the trunk at the time of the British. (visited friends in Hartford).
"July 17th Rose at 5. o.clock-we went aboard at six .- reached the Sound between ten and twelve o clock.
Reached New York about six at eve. . . July 19, left New York at 6 in the morning for Philadelphia in the Steamer P .- to Amboy where we left the boat took the Cars to Burnington, then took the Steamer Philadelphia on the Deleware river. landed at Philadelphia about two."
In 1842, she made another trip to New York, returning home on September 31st. She closes the account of this last trip as follows:
"Thus endeth the last visit J. Rindge will ever make N. York."
(She married Earl Trumbul of Little Falls, N. Y. a few weeks later.)
THE TOLL GATE ON THE BOSTON ROAD
As near as I can learn, the toll gate was located on the hill east of Eleven Mile Brook (sometimes called twelve mile), and about four rods west of where the present road (which I have called East Street), leaves the Boston Road, and runs by the
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
underpass, beneath the railroad. It was probably established about 1814, and discontinued about 1847. Adna Bishop was gate keeper for several years, beginning about 1831. His house was on the north side of the Boston road, near the barn which has passed its usefulness and is now fallen into ruins. I have been told that this barn was first erected in Holyoke, and after . doing some service there, was taken down, brought on sleds in the winter time and re-erected here. A daughter of Adna Bishop married Albert Bliss, and she told her son, Ethelbert Bliss, about the location.
Rev. Charles H. Gates, who celebrated his ninety-first birth- day last March, spent his boyhood days in this vicinity and remembers the location. Also, Henry M. Bliss, who remembers that the charge for a single team was a "fo-pence, ha penny," (nine cents).
Rev. Mr. Gates contributes the following lines, which help to make vivid the situation.
"The Old Turnpike Gate, Long have I stood there to wait For change, in rainstorm or snow. Gladly felt I to see it go."
THE WILBRAHAM TURNPIKE
Among the papers left by Abel Bliss, Jr., now in possession of his granddaughter, Mrs. Sarah (Bliss) Gillet, I have found a copy of an Act of the Legislature of 1820, which I have con- densed slightly.
"Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
"An Act to establish the Wilbraham Turnpike.
"Be it enacted . . that Abel Bliss Junior, William Clark, Aaron Woodward, John Adams Junior, Ebenezer R. Warner, Moses Burt, Pynchon Bliss and John Glover (with others who may associate with them, etc.), are hereby made a Corporation for making a Turnpike Road through Wilbraham, to the line between this State and Connecticut, beginning at the west end of the First Massachusetts Turnpike, and extend-
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
ing thence, in a southerly course, through Wilbraham Street, near to the house of John Adams Jun', in said Wilbraham; thence south, about twenty eight degrees west, or generally in that direction, as shall be found by the Committee appointed to mark said Turnpike Road, in the most convenient placc for the public, through said Wilbraham and a part of Longmeadow, to the line between the States of Massachusetts and Con- necticut, in a direction for the house of Calvin Hall, in Somers, Shall have the powers and privilegs, and subject to all duties &c, contained in an Act passed March 16th 1805.
"Provided however, that the said Turnpike Road, from the First Massachusetts Turnpike, to the house of John Adams Jun', may be only three rods in width: . If they neglect to complete the road for the space of five years, the Act to be void.
"Approved by the Governor June 16th 1820.
"A true copy Attest Alden Bradford "Secy. of Commonth "
It is interesting to know that part of the "First Massachu- setts Turnpike" was in Wilbraham. Probably the west end of it was near the present railroad station at North Wilbraham. (Probably nothing was done to build the "Wilbraham Turn- pike.")
A STRANGE ACCIDENT
The death of Charles Brewer, Jr., on September 28, 1853, may be classed as remarkable.
He was the son of Charles Brewer, and grandfather of Charles A. Brewer, now living in Wilbraham. He lived in the first house south of the first Methodist meeting house, in the house now owned by F. A. Gurney. The accident happened about 100 rods east of our Main Street, in the cart-path which leads off from the road running up the mountain, south of the stone church. I heard the story at the time, substantially as follows: There is a very steep pitch in the cart-path just beyond the stone wall, and Mr. Brewer was coming down the path with his horse and wagon. He unhitched the horse from the wagon, took hold of the shafts himself, and attempted to guide the wagon down the hill. In passing through the bar-way, near
-
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
the foot of the hill, he was pushed against the post on the south side, and one of the shafts pierced entirely through his body, near the chest.
I have heard the account told, that he was leading the horse down the hill and was caught against the bar-post and his body pierced by the shaft. This account seems more likely to be the way the accident happened than the other. But the result was the same. He was killed there. He was 78 years and eight months old, and it seems very strange that he should have attempted to hold the wagon back himself, and much more likely that he was leading the horse.
He was buried in the Woodland Dell Cemetery.
His widow, "Aunt Fanny Brewer," as she was called, sur- vived him many years.
DISPOSAL OF THE POOR IN BYGONE DAYS
"In 1821, A poor Child Betsy - bound out to John to learn the art, trade or mystery of housekeeping, Her master & mistress she shall faithfully serve, his or her secrets keep, & his or her lawful commands everywhere, at all times readily obey-at cards, dice or any other unlawful game she shall not play-nor matrimony contract, during the 'sd term." (Till she was 18 years old.)
Jan. 6, 1833, the selectmen agreed to pay Samuel Beebe $690.00 "to care for, and to Bury any who may die, all the Paupers of Wilbraham for one year."
"Dec. 2nd 1833, Sold to Samuel Beebe the Poor of the town -by Vendue he being the lowest bidder at ten hundred and ninety nine Dollars for two years from the first of April next."
FRAGMENTS
(Copied from the Stebbins History.)
"I have gathered from various sources the following facts and traditions, which may be of interest to the curious in such matters. They are mostly obtained from the papers left by Calvin Stebbins and John Bliss, Esqs.
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
"AGRICULTURE .- The first potatoes were brought to town by Dea. Nathanicl Warriner, about 1754, or about twenty- three years after the town was settled. There was but a peck of them. Broom-corn was first raised by Thomas Jones or Joshua Leonard. At a later period, Paul Langdon and Calvin and Sylvanus Stebbins raised it in considerable quantities and manufactured it into brooms. About 1859 it was raised by Daniel Atchinson on West Street and made into brooms on the place.
"Plaster of Paris, or gypsum, was first brought from West Springfield by Gad Lamb, about 1776.
"Calvin Stebbins brought the first plough with iron mould- board into town; and, probably Daniel Isham used the first cast-iron plough some ninety years ago.
"Hops were cultivated about eighty years ago, by Calvin Stebbins. The mulberry fever raged eighty years ago, much to the pecuniary damage of many speculators.
"Grafted fruit took the place, at about the same time, of the old varieties or cider apples. Flax ceased to be cultivated at the same time. Hemp was raised by a few farmers in the war of 1812.
"PISCATORY .- It was considered disreputable in early times for farmers to go after shad. They were said by their neighbors to be 'out of pork.' Hence, persons, going for shad, went in the morning before their neighbors were up, and did not return till they were in bed. Shad were so abundant, and farmers were so unwilling to take them, that the fishermen required that so many pounds of shad should be taken for every pound of salmon. About seventy-five years ago bull-heads or horn- pouts made their appearance in the Scantic, and the trout all disappeared, much to the mortification of the anglers. A few years after, the 'pout' disappeared, and the 'trout' returned. There was a furor ran through the country at one time of obtaining pearls from fresh-water clams. Some of respectable size and value were found in the clams in the Scantic.
"CONVEYANCES .- Lieut. Paul Langdon brought the first wagon into town. In 1784 there were but two two-horse wagons and five two-horse sleighs. In 1804 Jesse or Pliny Bliss introduced a one-horse wagon. First buffalo robe brought from Montreal, 1805; cost 5.00.
"INVENTIONS .- Lewis Langdon invented a machine for turning cider-mill screws; Walter Burt, shears for cutting the
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nap of cloth. Edwin Chaffee, a native of this town, invented the use of India-rubber preparations for cloth. Probably this is the most important invention made by any of the natives of the town.
"VERMIN .- David Chapin brought the first rat to the town in a sack of wool from Rhode Island, and permitted it to live. Hence, rats in Wilbraham.
"STOCK .-- Capt. Charles Sessions introduced Merino sheep, and had a large flock. Capt. Joseph Lathrop and sons intro- duced Saxon sheep and kept a large flock of several hundred. Improvement was not made in cattle till a later date. The breed of swine received earlier attention.
"NAMES OF PLACES, MOUNTAINS, BROOKS, ETC .- The North East Village long since outgrew its name of 'Sodom;' and the South Parish that of 'Pokeham;' and the South Village that of the city.' The Goat Rocks were so called as being the favorite resort of William King's goats, one of which got entangled there, and was found dead. These rocks are a ledge about thirty feet perpendicular, at the south end of the North Moun- tains. Rocky Dundee was many years ago the name of the region south of Burt's mill. Pole Bridge Brook was so called from the bridge first built over it; it was also called Beaver Brook, because the beavers had built a dam in it; Twelve-mile Brook, because twelve miles from Springfield; Nine-mile Pond, because nine miles from Springfield; Rattlesnake Peak, because a rattlesnake was killed there; Wigwam Hill from the Indian squaw's wigwam near it; Stony Hill, because it was stony; Peggy's Dipping Hole, because Peggy, in her desire to attend upon the means of grace furnished at Springfield, ventured, in her pilgrimage thither, to cross some recently-frozen ice and went through into the water."
"THE LEGEND OF KIBBE'S SHIRT
"An alarm was once raised in Wilbraham that the Indians were coming. It was on this wise: One Kibbe went into the woods on Sunday, to get his cow, and not having the fear of either God or the law before his eyes, he took with him his gun in case he should meet any game. Not long after he left home, the report of two guns was heard, and Kibbe came running back in great apparent trepidation, saying that he had been
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fired at by two Indians, and that there were more lurking in the woods. The whole country was alarmed, and the woods were scoured in search of the 'salvages.' None were found, nor were any traces of them discovered. Suspicion began to be excited that all was not right with Kibbe. A more particular examination of his shirt was instituted. He declared that he received one shot in his breast, and when he turned to run, another shot took him in his back. Lo, it was even so; a bullet- hole was made through his shirt before; another through his shirt behind. But alas for Kibbe's veracity, not for his com- fort, there was no hole into or through his body, where the bullet went! He saw he was caught, and made confession that seeing game, he was tempted to fire; that he at once bethought himself that he was exposed to prosecution for violating the Sabbath, and took off his shirt and fired through it, to make his neighbors believe that the Indians had attacked him. So originated and ended the only alarm of an attack on Wilbraham.
"THE PRESBYTERIAN SADDLE"
"The collectors found it very difficult at times to get the taxes for the support of the gospel. In the early days of the precinct and town, the money for the support of religious services was raised by a tax assessed on the property of the precinct town or parish when there was but one church society. But as other denominations began to be formed, their members objected to paying any part of the expenses of the 'standing order;' and no little cunning, as well as spunk, was sometimes displayed in escaping payment. Abraham Avery was a promi- nent man in the town, a tanner and saddle and harness maker; a man of great energy, indomitable persistency, pious and plucky to admiration; from hair to heel a Methodist. He was cunning withal, and liked a practical joke, so be it was worthy of his religious profession. He owed a tax. He wouldn't pay it. The collector of the parish determined to have it. 'Get it then' said Avery. Now Avery could make a good saddle,- one that the Queen's horse-guards would be proud of in finish, and whose strength would have carried any one of the six hundred through the immortal charge of Balaklava. So, in his meditations, Avery determined to make a saddle to pay his tax withal. He selected the pieces of leather which best pleased the eye, and fitted them together as he well knew how, being a skilful worker in leather, and mounted it with shining metal, so that it was very tempting to look upon, like the forbidden
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fruit of Eden. Avery knew that the strength was not equal to the beauty thereof; but as it was not for sound doctrine he made it, so he delighted in correspondency. The collector came; the shop had been cleared of most of the finished work besides, and when he cast his eye upon the saddle he did covet it much for his taxes, and was much delighted when Avery declined to pay them. 'I must take this nice saddle, then,' said the publican. 'Take it then,' quoth Avery gruffly. It was taken. Avery's face was sparkling all over with delight as the constable put the prize in his wagon and drove off. It was sold at auction and brought a great price, far above the amount of the tax; for it was known that Avery's saddles were of the best. The constable offered the excess of the sale over the tax to Avery, but he would not take it. The constable tendered to him the balance in gold; Avery said he would have nothing to do with it. The saddle was purchased by a man from Belcher- town. He was tempted to try it early. It looked magnificently on his horse's back. He sprang upon it. Out came one stirrup! down broke the seat! out came the bridge! off dropped the sides! and he spake words of Avery and the saddle which were not lawful to be spoken, and should not be written. He came to Avery in great wrath, and asked him if he did not warrant his saddles. 'Certainly,' said Avery. 'Well, then,' he replied, 'look at this saddle.' 'Ah' said Avery 'that is the "Presby- terian saddle," I have nothing to do with that.' And, with a relish of satisfaction, he again drew his strong waxed-end through the leather upon which he was at work, for he enjoyed hugely what had come to pass."
Abraham Avery lived about a mile north of the center of our center village, where Ira G. Potter formerly lived, in the house now owned by Mr. Torrey. The tannery was at the next house north, formerly the Nathaniel Knowlton place, and now owned by O. L. Milard. The harness shop was at the first house south, where Arthur Smith now lives.
PAINTINGS OF THE SCENERY IN WILBRAHAM
The following is taken from the Stebbins History published in 1864:
"I am most happy to report that the beautiful scenery of Wilbraham has found an artist and a patron. I have seen and
--
VIEW FROM THE MOUNTAIN, LOOKING WESTERLY.
Home of C. C. Beebe and Monson Road in foreground. Glimpses of Main Street and the cultivated fields beyond. West Street in the distance.
-
VIEW FROM THE MOUNTAIN, LOOKING NORTHWEST.
Showing the centre village, the two churches, Rich Hall, No. 4 Schoolhouse and other buildings, also a glimpse of West Street on the left in the distance.
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been charmed by the two paintings described below, in an article taken from the Zion's Herald, Feb. 10, 1864. They are all that the critic describes them to be. I have also seen two others, just finished, of equal, if not greater, beauty. One is an autumn scene, taken from a little lower down the mountain than the first two were, and looking out over the plains to the Western Mountains. The foliage is admirably tinted, and the autumnal haze lies on the distant plains and mountains. The other is taken from the north end of Nine-mile Pond, the view being toward the south, the mountains forming the distant background of the picture. The execution is admira- ble.
"Wilbraham has many lovers of her scenery no less than of her school; but she has hitherto found no way of revealing her beauties to other eyes than those that have been fastened upon her. But she need lament her lot no longer. Two paintings, at Williams & Everett's gallery, in this city, proclaim her beauty to every eye. They were painted for Abraham Avery, of Boston, by Mr. Bricher, a young artist of great promise, and, judging from these works, of great achievement. The views are taken from a spot well-known to every Wilbraham student, -at the head of the upper grove that contains 'the pulpit' on the road winding up the mountain, behind the church. It is across the street from the little red cottage of the Goody Blake, of that neighborhood, whose 'hut was on the cold hill-side.' On the left of the picture are these favorite woods, the scene of many a prayer-meeting, oratorical explosion, lounging, reading, or musing solitaries, or of the law-breaking trysts of love's young dream. The trees are superbly painted, being full of rich color and shade. One could almost transport himself thither, they are so life-like and enchanting. But the eye must not linger in their gothic greenness, nor dwell too long upon the truthfully-rough fields under the feet or on the little old cottage aforesaid, snugly tucked away in the hillside in the opposite corner. More familiar scenes below allure it. There creeps the street, its few houses sprinkled among the many trees, like white flowers blossoming on a green river. No stiller in the picture than in the fact is the pleasant old road. With pre-Raphælite faithfulness the artist puts upon it no living creature, though he might have painted the aged grey postman with his aged grey horse, and still had it void of life, so ghostly is that sole animator of the seemingly-deserted village. The immense and not inartistic pile of the boarding-house, most inartistic though it be in location, is partially hidden by the
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projecting woods behind the Academy hill, which grove pre- vents the sight of the Academy buildings.
"Beyond lie the plains, patched with herbage, ploughed fields, trees and houses, and flecked with the shade and sun- shine of a midsummer day. A lover of nature could gaze on it for hours without weariness, a lover of Wilbraham with ever- increasing pleasure.
"The companion picture gives us the north-western view from the same spot. The foreground is fictitious, in order to avoid repetition, though the rock in the left-hand corner is a veritable copy of the boulder perched upon the hill back of the house of J. Wesley Bliss Esq. (now the home of his daughter, Mrs. Gillett.) The woods in the foreground are more beautiful, if possible than those in the first picture. The outlook is true to the fact. The broad champaign, beautifully toned and varied, and relieved of its flatness, gathers to the gorge between Mounts Holyoke and Tom. These mountains are perfect even to the bits of houses that mar their summits. Through the opening is seen Northampton. The mountains rise behind her, and conclude the scene.
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