USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > The history of Wilbraham, Massachusetts; > Part 28
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The hall, above the foundation, was built and furnished by Mrs. Lucia S. Foskit as a memorial to her deceased husband, Stebbins Foskit, M.D., and was dedicated to its present use February 27, 1901. It is used, every other year, for town meetings, and for many purposes of a social character, and is a welcome addition to our public buildings.
REV. MARTIN S. AND MRS. HOWARD. Mr. Howard was Pastor of the Congregational Church for 43 years.
On September 26, 1905, a large company assembled in the Congregational Chapel to join with them in celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary. I insert a few verses from a poem written for the occasion, illustrative of their work here.
He, to tell of the Redeemer, Who was slain by sinner's hate; She, to hold his hands up longer, When the burden seemed too great.
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
He, to pour the oil of comfort On the wounded hearts of men; She, by gentle ministrations, To relieve the smart of pain.
*
So together they have journeyed, Through the length of fifty years, Cheering up the weaker-hearted, Changing into trust some tears.
9. The Deacon Warriner Parsonage. Owned by Congrega- tional Society, North Parish of Wilbraham. Purchased by the Parish in 1868, and has been occupied by their pastor, Rev. Martin S. Howard, for forty-five years. Purchased by previous owners as follows; George L. Felton, 1858, Ralph Glover, 1855, George Bishop, 1851, Samuel Leach, 1834, who is supposed to have built the present house.
In 1890, the Parish "voted that the Parsonage shall be named the Dea. Warriner Parsonage, in honor of the first donor of money to the Parish." The lot originally contained about fifteen acres.
10. Just south of the Warriner Parsonage. House now owned by Edward M. Stephens. This place includes a large part of the land which was purchased by the North Parish in 1868, and was sold to Horace Clark and others in 1869. Other owners: H. E. Miller, Chas. D. Woods and H. A. Morgan, Horace Clark, who built the present house about 1870.
11. On east side of street, now owned by John Molloy. Former owners: M. H. Lyons, heirs of Harriet E. Pease, - Mixter,
12. East side of street, owned by Mrs. William A. Newton. Former owners, Wells L. Phelps, Mrs. Amelia S. Phelps, -, Luther B. Bliss, who built the present house about 1855. It was used for a store and postoffice and also for a residence. The store and postoffice, also his residence, having previously been in the old schoolhouse which stood just south of the present house.
This school district was No. 2. until 1842, when it was divided, and district No. 12 established. I have been informed
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
that there were about 65 scholars who attended the school. The new schoolhouse in district No. 2 was built a little north of the present stone church, and that in the new district No. 12 was erected about half a mile further south. It is the house now owned by Rev. Josiah G. Willis. I attended school there. The old schoolhouse, which had also served as a store and postoffice, was moved across the street onto land now owned by Edward M. Stephens, converted into a dwelling and was occupied by tenants until 1869, when it was removed to the
THE MERRICK ELM.
Standing about 20 rods east of Main Street, and about 8 rods south of the road leading to the Woodland Dell Cemetery, in the mowing now owned by M. C. Wade. Girth 18 feet and 612 inches, at five feet above the ground. The view is to the northwest, showing Congregational church in the background.
north side of Springfield Street, and is now occupied by Frank Sweatland. Owned by - Rice.
13. Owned by Richard J. Sackett. Former owners: Dr. H. G. Webber, heirs of Edmund Jones, Edmund Jones, who built the present house, probably about 1850.
14. Owned by Marshall C. Wade, who purchased it about 1894. Former owners: John M. Merrick, his father, John
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Merrick, his father, Lieut. Jonathan Merrick, his father, Dea. David Merrick, who settled there about 1735. The house was used for a tavern for many years. John M. Merrick was licensed as an "Innholder" in Wilbraham in 1840 and probably later.
HOME OF CLARENCE M. RIPLEY.
15. On east side of street, just south of the brook. Owned by Mrs. Isabel Ripley. Former owners: Rev. James Sutherland, Jane A. Lilley (Twing), Rufus Twing, who probably built the house.
16. Now owned by George E. Knowlton. Former owners: Mrs. Julia Knowlton, Nancy Pease, Jacob Neff, - Warner.
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
The house was probably built by Warner. It is just north of former "Meeting House Lane."
17. Just north of the road to Monson, now owned by Jane E. Hancock. Former owners: Moses Hancock, who purchased the place in 1840, William Twing, Benj. Fuller, 1831, Asa Fuller, -, Ezra Barker, 1752 to 1777. The Fullers kept a tavern here from about 1831 to 1838, which was burned.
18. On west side of street. Marble shop, now owned by M. C. Wade. Formerly owned by George W. Lilly, who built the shop and carried on the business of marble cutting, erecting gravestones, etc., for about twenty years, until about 1883. The shop has been used for storage purposes for more than twenty years.
19. Blacksmith shop. Formerly owned and carried on by Rufus Twing for many years, until about 1882. It is now owned by Elias S. Keyes, and used for storage of lumber.
20. East side of street, south of road to Monson. Now owned by Myron L. and Mrs. Laura Bruuer. Inherited from Myron Bruuer, who inherited it from his father, Dr. Luther Bruuer, who purchased the place in 1824. The present house was built about 1835. Former owners: Jonathan Dwight, George Bliss, Joseph Sexton in 1791, David Shearer, Gabriel Burnham, Abel King, Phineas Newton, Jr., Phineas Newton, Simeon Willard. In 1791, the North Parish "Voted that the Meeting House be set on the south side of Joseph Saxton's lot in the Street." Probably the intended location was near this house.
21. A little south of Bruuer place. Now owned by Mrs. Josephine (Bliss) Johnson, of Providence, R. I. Former owners: Mrs. Rowera Bliss, L. Stowell, Rev. - Moulton.
22. A little south of Johnson place. Now owned by George W. Hulmes. Former owners: Lyman Fisk, Henry C. Frost, Henry Dewey, -, H. Bridgman Brewer, who built the present house about 1856.
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
23. On west side of street, a little south of Brewer's pond. Now owned by William Butler. Former owners: Mrs. Frances Davis, Otis K. Ladd, -, Rev. John Bowers, who lived here while he was pastor of the Congregational church, 1837-1855.
24. East side of strect, now owned by Albro J. Bryant. Former owners: Mrs. Agnes McCaw, - Schoonmaker, -, William Twing, William Gilbert, who inherited the place from his father-in-law, Dr. Gideon Kibbe, whose father, Capt. Gideon Kibbe, built the house about 1810, on land purchased from M. K. Bartlett. Dr. Kibbe lived here and practiced his profession for about fifty years.
25. Now owned by Mrs. Mary (Howard) Green. Former owners: C. P. Bolles, Gilbert Warfield, R. J. Conboy, Rev. Franklin Fisk, Horace Clark, Mrs. Mary A. Brewer, S. Jenks, William Knight, Esq., -, Daniel Warner, who was the third person who settled in town, and whose daughter, Comfort, born, March 15, 1734, was the first white child born here. It was on these grounds that the ordination services of the Rev. Noah Merrick were to have been held, June 24, 1741, but the rain prevented.
Here also the first postoffice in Wilbraham was established, William Knight, Esq., postmaster, and the door leading from the hall into the front room, still shows the place where letters could be dropped in when the office was closed. A few rods south of this house, "Federal Lane" leads off to the east.
26. Now owned by William T. Eaton who built the present house on the site of one burned about 1880. Former owners: James M. King, -, Joseph McGregory, Rev. Daniel Lee, S. Holman, Elijah Work and others. The first principal of Wesleyan Academy, Rev. Wilbur Fisk, lived here in the Elijah Work house.
27. Now owned by Mrs. William Thompson. Former owners: Mrs. Abby S. Knight, - Lawton, Stephen Utley, who kept a tavern there, probably about 1814-1849. Rev. Ezra Witter who was pastor of the Congregational church, 1797 to 1814,
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
probably built the house. He kept a private school there. There is some hand carving in the finish of the north front room, which is said to have been done by him.
28. Now owned by Delbert H. Eaton. Former owners: Elias S. Keyes who built the present house, about 1890, on the site of one burned, which formerly belonged to H. Bridgman Brewer, who lived there for some years about 1850. Former owner, Maj. Wm. Clark.
29. Now owned by Rev. Josiah G. Willis. Former owners: George Summers, Mrs. Francis J. Warner. This house was the schoolhouse in District No. 12, from about 1842 to about 1880. It had a hall on the second floor which was sometimes used for social gatherings.
30. Now owned by Thomas H. Nims. Former owners: Mrs. James O. Martin, Chauncey E. Peck, Mrs. Nellie M. Scofield, who inherited it from her mother, Mrs. Sarah Mears, Mrs. Merrick, -, Noah Warriner, who inherited it by the will of Dea. Nathaniel Warriner, who had no children. Deacon Warriner located here about 1734, and was the fourth settler. He kept a tavern in the house. (See history for further details.)
31. Ten or fifteen rods south of the Deacon Warriner home- stead is a cellar hole which marks the site of the first house erected in the territory now known as Wilbraham. Here Nathaniel Hitchcock erected his log cabin in 1730, which was occupied by his family the following year. Here, Dr. Samuel F. Merrick lived for many years and I suppose his daughter, Abigail, went from here to join the "Merry Making" at the house of Levi Bliss in 1799, when she, with the six young persons were drowned in Nine Mile Pond. Probably Polly Warriner, who was drowned at the same time, lived in the next house north (now owned by Mr. Nims), as her father, Noah Warriner inherited that place by the will of Dea. Nathaniel Warriner in 1780. The house which formerly stood here was a fine specimen of colonial architecture. It was burned about 1875. The land is now owned by Thomas H. Nims.
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
32. Eight or twelve rods south, is another eellar hole, which marks the site of a house which was burned about 1892. The land is now owned by Lee W. Riee. Former owners: Mrs. Miller, J. Oakes, James Robinson, Town of Wilbraham, perhaps King.
33. On east side of street. Now owned by heirs of George W. Pease, inherited from his father, Reuben Pease, who carried on the shoe-making business there in a little shop which stood on the northwest corner of the lot. He made my first pair of boots. He was librarian for Sehool Distriet No. 12, and kept the books in his shop. A few of them may still be found in town.
34. On west side of street. Now owned by L. L. Stone. Former owners: Frederiek and Edward Merrick, who inherited it by the will of Lorenzo Bliss, who inherited it from his father Pynehon Bliss, who purchased it from the heirs of Solomon Warriner, and may have inherited it partly from his wife Betsey, who was a daughter of Solomon Warriner, who was a son of Capt. James Warriner, who may have lived on this place. Solomon Warriner was librarian of a library in operation here in 1781. (See history.)
35. On east side of street. Now owned by John A. Calkins. Former owners: Smith, Watrous, Soule, John S. Albray, -, Henry Burt, -, Noah Alvord, who located here about 1732, and was the second settler here.
36. On west side of street. The stone house. Now owned by Charles S. and Fannie M. Merriek, who inherited it from their father James Merriek. Former owners; Roderiek Burt, Moses Burt, who built the house about 1830, Moses Burt Sr., who located here about 1740, or earlier.
37. Now owned by heirs of Samuel F. Merrick, who built the stone barn about 1854. The house was built later. The north line of this farm is the north line of the overplus land in the second division, which is said to be 82 rods wide and extends south, probably to the north line of the Henry D. Foskit plaee.
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
38. On east side of street, just north of the "Green," now owned by Mrs. Addie (Cadwell) Speight. Inherited from her father Henry Cadwell.
East of Mrs. Speight's place, on the north side of the "Green," there were two or three houses about 1840-1870, which were
THE "MILE TREE."
A black oak tree, about one mile south of the Soldiers' Monument. When the selectmen of Springfield altered the road "running east & west near the revd Noah Miricks dwelling," in 1749, they began, "about 40 rod south of Moses Burts Dwelling House, at a black oak tree." This may be the same tree that was there 165 years ago. The view is looking east.
owned, or occupied by the stone cutters who worked in the quarry, at the foot of the hill, a little further to the east. The business was carried on by Joseph McGregory and others,
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
until the layer of brown sand-stone, on which they were working, was exhausted. I have been told that another layer of the stone was found to lie beneath the upper one, but it has not been worked.
39. The schoolhouse, District No. 3, on the "Green." Some- times called the "Mile Tree." This building was erected in 1880 at an expense of about $900.00, not including furniture. In 1769, the town voted that the "Green" should be "Common Land or Highway."
40. On west side of street, and on north side of "Tinkham Road." Now owned by Mrs. Sarah (Adams) Coe. Former owners: Dea. David Adams, John Adams, who built the house in 1794. On the east side, just south of the "Tinkham Road" is the site of a house burned some years ago, formerly owned by G. Frank Adams, his father, George Adams, his father, John Adams.
41. On east side of street. Now owned by Jerome Pease. Former owners: - Hendrick, - Burr, Norman McGregory. This house is one of those that stood on the north side of the "Green," and was moved to the present site about 1855.
42. On west side of street. Now owned by Mrs. Luthera E. Bosworth. Former owners: D. L. Bosworth, James Richards, Ralph Scripter, J. O. Lincoln, - Clark.
43. On east side of street. Now owned by Mrs. Jennie (Foskit) Rayen. Former owners: Henry D. Foskit, E. B. Bloomer, Roderick S. Merrick, Noah Merrick, Dea. Chileab Merrick, who is said to have built the house for his son, Noah.
44. On west side of street. Now owned by Mrs. Martha R. Pickens. Former owners: Michael Mack, C. A. Corbin, E. B. Bloomer, Ralph Glover.
45. Now owned by Lee W. Rice. Former owners: Mrs. Martha R. Pickens, Michael Mack, - Fuller, John Holman and others. Mr. Rice is extensively engaged in the raising of
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
peaches, and has sent to market more than 3000 baskets in three days.
46. Owned by Lee W. Rice, who built the house about 1912, on the site of one burned about 1875, which was owned by John Holman.
47. Owned by Lee W. Rice, who built the house about 1913, on land formerly owned by - Holman, Jerome Pease. About 20 or 40 rods further south, on the east side of the street, is the meadow, mentioned in the will of Dea. Nathaniel Warriner, as "Ashe swamp." It was called by that name for many years.
48. On east side of street, now owned by Jesse L. Rice, who purchased the place about 1868. Former owners: John Work, Probably Moses Warriner lived here, or in a house some distance further to the east. There is a hewed stone in the foundation of the house marked "M W"
Oct. 2 1744
In 1744, Moses Warriner purchased lots 15, 16, 17, 18, in the third division of the outward commons, making a total width of nearly fifty rods north and south, and those lots must have been in this vicinity.
49. On west side of street. Now owned by J. Wilbur Rice, who built the house about 1906, on land purchased of Mrs. Lizzie G. Moore. When the foundations for the piazza were being dug a well was uncovered. There may have been a house there much earlier.
50. On east side of street. Now owned by Mrs. Lizzie G. Moore, who inherited it from her husband, Charles G. Moore. Former owners: - , - Simons, -, John Lincoln.
Twenty or forty rods south of the Moore place, is a branch road leading eastward up the mountain, and the only piece of woodland on the entire length of Main Street. Passing through the woodland about 50 rods, we find the original road leading up the mountain, also, a few feet beyond, a road leading off to
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
the west. Both of these roads may be called the Stebbins Road, in remembrance of the first settler of that name who located on the road which leads to the eastward.
On the cast side of street, opposite the road leading to the west, the schoolhouse of District No. 3 was located for many years, until 1879, when, because of the division of the town, the location was changed to the "Green." The old schoolhouse was sold to the Congregational Society for $41.00, and was moved by J. C. Cooley and others, with the assistance of several yoke of oxen, to the grounds north of the church, and now con- stitutes the four most westerly ones, of the line of horse sheds in the rear of the church.
51. On east side of street, about 50 to 70 rods south of the Stebbins Road, is the old Mirick house, famous for its connec- tion with the tragic death of Timothy, only son of "Leftenant" Thomas Mirick. (See History). The house was built in 1761. It was changed somewhat in 1910. It is now occupied by Walter M. Bliss.
52. On west side of street. Now owned by Ethelbert Bliss, who inherited it from his father about 1895. Purchased by former owners: Albert Bliss in 1870, Porter Cross, 1849, Joseph Little, -, - -, Lieut. Thomas Mirick, previous to 1761 Porter Cross built the present house in 1852, which was re- modeled by Mr. Bliss in 1909. The present commodious barn was built in 1900, and is too small for present needs. The land, and the old Mirick house on the east side of street, belong to this place, which has been called "Mapleside Farm" for many years. It is popularly known as the birthplace of Wilbraham peaches. These are the last houses on Main Street north of the present town of Hampden.
MAIN STREET GOING NORTH FROM SOLDIERS' MONUMENT
1. Public Watering Tank. Nearly opposite the monument at the entrance to Springfield Street. This was established by the
HOME OF ETHELBERT BLISS. Birthplace of "Wilbraham Peaches."
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
town in 1881, at an expense of $407.74. It has been a great convenience to the public. It may soon be moved a few feet further south.
2. Store. On west side of Main Street and north side of Spring- field Street, now owned by A. H. Phillips. Former owners, Charles L. Hubbard, George W. Ely, -, R. R. Wright R. Burt, -, Caleb Stebbins, Caleb S. Fisk. This store stands on land purchased in 1826 by Caleb S. Fisk, "Trader," from Dr. Jesse W. Rice, and the same as all of the buildings on the north side of Springfield Street over to Pole Bridge Brook, is on the land formerly owned by Charles Brewer and others. (See No. 4.) The upper part of the building has been used for a Masonic Hall since 1870.
VIEW OF MAIN STREET.
Looking North from in front of Soldiers' Monument.
First building on the right, Postoffice and store of F. C. Newton. A little further along, may be seen the front of original M. E. Church. First on the left, home of C. E. Peck. Second, M. E. Parsonage.
3. On east side of street, store and postoffice. Now owned by F. C. Newton. Former owners: F. A. Gurney, heirs of C. M.
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Pease, Charles M. Pease, who built the store in 1888 which has been much enlarged by Mr. Gurney. On the southwest corner of the store lot, there was a shoemakers shop for many years, and in it, Lorenzo Hancock established the postoffice, when he was appointed postmaster by the Lincoln administration in 1861. I have been there for mail. In 1888 the building was removed to the northeast corner of the Virgin lot, converted into a small barn, and is there now. The west side is painted red. Just north of this store, was the house of Rev. Charles N. Virgin, which he probably built about 1830. It remained in his possession and that of his widow Lydia Virgin and her heirs, until about 1882. It was much used as a boarding place by students of the Academy, and was called "The Virgin Hollow Hotel." It is said that it may have been a "station" on the "Underground railroad." The house was torn down a few years ago.
4. On west side of Main Street, about ten or fifteen rods north of Springfield Street, first house north of Phillips' store, now owned by Chauncey E. Peck who built the present house in 1893, on the site of a house which was torn down, which is supposed to have been erected about 1740. Purchased by previ- ous owners as follows: Ira G. Potter, 1893, Luther Markham, 1869, Lucius Stowell, 1864, Dr. Jesse W. Rice, 1826, Charles Brewer, 1781, who kept an Inn there for many years. He was also a cabinet-maker, Eleazer Smith, 1770, Sergt. Daniel Cadwell, 1765, Samuel Warner, by will of his father Ebenezer, "It being the lot whereon the said Samuel now lives," 1754, Ebenezer Warner, 1732. Samuel Warner, called "Clark Warner" kept the record of births and deaths in this precinct, (now Wilbraham) beginning "March ye 15th 1734," to "August 28, 1783." Twelve days after the last entry, he laid down his pen forever. The record is still in existence. The two strange stones, in front of the house, were placed there in 1899. They were found lying down, in low wet ground, a little way up the mountain, in a northeasterly direction, near the "Lower Reservoir" of the Wilbraham Academy.
IRA G. POTTER.
Born at Willington, Conn., in 1815. Came from Monson to Wilbraham in 1865. Served as Selectman, as special County Commissioner for six years, as Representative in the legislature, as special trial Justice, as Justice of the Peace for 42 years, and, as Executor or Administrator, settled one hundred and eleven estates in the Probate Court. He died in 1909, in his 94th year.
F
HOME OF CHAUNCEY E. PECK.
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
5. On east side of street opposite Mr. Peck's place, now owned by Frank A. Gurney. Former owners: Ira G. Potter, F. M. Miller, -, B. F. Squire, Mrs. Frost, Charles Brewer, Jr., who was killed in 1853 (see History). His widow "Aunt Fanny Brewer," as she was familiarly called, lived here for about twenty years after the death of her husband, and had many students as boarders and roomers. The house was built by Rev. John W. Hardy about 1836 while he was Steward at the Academy.
6. On east side of street, the first house south of the road leading up the mountain, south of the stone church, now owned by Chauncey E. Peck. This house was the first Methodist meeting house in Wilbraham, and was built in 1793-94 and was occupied by the Methodists until about 1835. The ground on which the building stands, was owned by Charles Brewer, and was leased by him to the society for the consideration that the society should pay him "one pepper-corn" annually while they used it. It was purchased by different owners as follows: Chauncey E. Peck, 1908, William W. Merrick, 1841, Anson L. Brewer, 1835, Susan Brewer, 1829, Charles Brewer, 1781, Calvin Brewer, son of Charles, may have owned the place about 1825, and it was on this land, and on that on the west side of the street, where he wished the Academy to be located, and was much grieved when they selected another location. The house is now occupied by tenants, Mrs. Allis and Dr. H. G. Webber.
7. On west side of street, opposite the first Methodist Episcopal meeting house. Methodist parsonage, which was probably purchased by the Methodist Episcopal society about 1855. Former owners: Capt. A. S. Flagg, Dr. Jesse W. Rice and others. (See No. 4.) House built by S. F. Pickering about 1852.
8. A few rods east of Main Street, on the north side of the road leading up the mountain, just south of the stone
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
church. House now owned by Miss Fannie M. Merrick. Former owners: Heirs of Henry and Horace Cadwell, Emeroy McGregory, who inherited it from his mother, Eunice Rice (McGregory) (Cadwell), who inherited it from her husband, James Rice.
9. On east side of street. The Stone Church of the Methodist Episcopal Society. Erected in 1868-69, at a cost of about $45,000 and dedicated in 1870. The meeting house which had served the society since 1835, being moved to the east, and converted into; a music hall by the Wesleyan Academy. Just north of the stone church was the schoolhouse of District No. 4, erected about 1842, burned about 1869. Just north of the schoolhouse was a house owned by Ezra White, which was burned about 1855.
10. On west side of street, opposite the stone church. Now owned by Fred W. Green. Former owners: Chauncey E. Peck, Sarah M. Taylor, Dr. Taylor, Mrs. Emily Work, Porter Cross Rev. Lorenzo White, Ezra White, Charles Warriner.
HOME OF FRED W. GREEN.
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