USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Amherst > The history of the town of Amherst, Massachusetts, pt 1 > Part 2
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CHAPTER XVI.
Second Parish Meeting House -- Rev. Ichabod Draper, the First Pastor-A Letter of Discipline-Decree by the General Court, . 114
CHAPTER XVII.
Hard Times Following the Revolution-Causes Leading to the Shays Rebel- lion-Heavy Taxation-Legal Troubles-Mob Law at Northampton -- Neighborhood Conventions-Arraignment of Government by Hatfield Convention, . 118
CHAPTER XVIII.
Conspiracy Against the Supreme Court-Daniel Shays-Action by the Gen- eral Court-Militia Called Out-Bloodshed at Springfield-Retreat of the Insurgents, . 123
CHAPTER XIX.
Pursuit of the Insurgents-Correspondence Between Lincoln and Shays-The March to Petersham-Terms of Amnesty-Amherst Men who Took the Oath of Allegiance-The Conkey Tavern-The Clapp Tavern. . 129
CHAPTER XX.
Statistics in 1777, 1779, and 1781-Counterfeiting-Industrial Movements- Merchants and Traders-Amherst in 1800-War of 1812, . . 137
CHAPTER XXI.
Origin of Amherst Academy-Petitions to the Legislature-Act of Incorpor- ation-Life at the Academy-Mary Lyon-Academy Teachers, . 143
CHAPTER XXII.
Old-Time Catalogs-Amherst Students at the Academy-Academy Laws- Officers of the Corporation-Principals and Instructors-Courses of Study,
. 150
CONTENTS.
xvii.
CHAPTER XXIII.
Origin of Amherst College-The Charity Fund-Convention of Churches -Negotiations with Williams College-First College Building Erected- Noah Webster's Address, 155
CHAPTER XXIV.
Zephaniah Swift Moore, First President of Amherst College-Rufus Graves -- Samuel F. Dickinson-Hezekiah W. Strong-Life at the College in its Early Days-Heman Humphrey Elected President-How the Charter was Secured-Events of President Humphrey's Administration, . 162
CHAPTER XXV.
Edward Hitchcock Elected President-Generous Endowments by Samuel Williston and others-President Hitchcock's Resignation-Professors and Instructors-Original Deed of College Land, . 175
CHAPTER XXVI.
Biographical Sketches of Prominent Citizens Who were Born in the Years Dating from 1686 to 1720, 182
CHAPTER XXVII.
The First Church-Pastors and Terms of Service-Meeting-Houses-Vestry and Agricultural Hall-Church Music-The Parsonage-Parish Funds- The Present Church Edifice, . 198
CHAPTER XXVIII.
The Second Church-Pastors and Terms of Service-First and Second Meeting-Houses-Janitor's Duties-Church Music-Differences Between the First and Second Church, . 209
CHAPTER XXIX.
The South Church-Pastors and Terms of Service-Troubles in the Church Organization of a New Parish-The Meeting-House-Church Music, . 215
CHAPTER XXX.
The North Church and Parish-Organization and Offcers-Pastors and Terms of Service-Oliver Dickinson's Meeting-House-The Pew Deeds-The Pulpit and Communion Service-The Ministerial Fund, 224
CHAPTER XXXI.
The College Church-Its Pastors-Church Building-Zion Chapel-College Mission Work, . 231
CHAPTER XXXII.
The Baptist Church-Connection with Churches in New Salem and Northamp- ton-Independent Organization-Pastors and Terms of Service-The Meeting-House-Methods of Raising Funds-Miscellaneous Votes, . 234
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Methodist Episcopal Churches-Grace Church-St Bridget's Church-Second Advent Church-Universalist Church -- Church Associations-Hampshire East Association-Hampshire East Conference.
. 242
00
٠٠٠٠٠٢٠
xviii.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Education in Amherst-School Buildings -- School District Records-Grading the Public Schools-The High School-Superintendents and Teachers- School Appropriations-Terms and Vacations-Private Schools-Mt. Pleasant Classical Institute-" Amherst Female Academy "-Other Insti- tutions.
CHAPTER XXXV. 259
Agriculture in Amherst-Farm Products-The First Agricultural Society- Cattle Shows from 1846 to 1850-East Hampshire Agricultural Society- Dissensions among the Members-Hampshire Park and Hall-Creamery Associations,
CHAPTER XXXVI. . 276
Manufacturing Interests-Paper Making-Textile Industries-Amherst Cotton Factory-Woolen Mills-Hat Manufacturing-L. M. Hills & Son-Iron and Steel Manufactures-Kellogg Plane Factory-The Roper Repeating Rifle-Bowie Knife Pistols-Hoop Skirts-Wire Goods-Cooking Stoves -Carriage Making-Children's Carriages and Sleds, 286
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Miscellaneous Manufactures-" Burnham's Mills "-Wood-working Establish- ments-Faucets-Tanneries-Brick-making-American Button Company -Bonnet-making-Lesser Industries, . 301
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
The First Railway in Massachusetts-Connecticut River Road-Hampshire and Franklin Railway-Mount Holyoke Railway Company-Amherst Branch Railroad-The Amherst and Belchertown Railway Company- New London Northern Road-Massachusetts Central Railway Company. 307
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Banks, Post-Offices and Courts-The First Amherst Bank-Hampshire and Franklin Bank-First National Bank-Amherst Savings Bank-Post- Offices, Post-Masters and Mails-Courts. Court Sessions and Court Officers-Justices of the Peace, . 327
CHAPTER XL.
Newspapers and Printing-The First Printing Press-J. S. & C. Adams-New England Inquirer-Hampshire and Franklin Express-Local News and Advertisements - Hampshire Express - The Amherst Record -Other Newspaper Ventures-Miscellaneous Publications. · 337
CHAPTER XLI.
Libraries and Lyceums-Constitution and By-Laws of the First Library-Agri- cultural Library-The North Amherst Library-The Center Library-The North Amherst Lyceum-The South Amherst Lyceum-Lyceums at the Center and at East Amherst, .
CHAPTER XLII. · 347
Fire Department and Fires-The Old Volunteer Companies-The First Fire Engines-Cataract Engine Co .- Deluge Engine Co .- Lafayette Hook and Ladder Co .- Reservoirs-Fire Apparatus-Pelham Water Introduced- Alert Hose Co. No. 1-Hose Co. No. 2-Great Fires in Amherst, . 358
xix.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XLIII. Amherst Militia-The North and South Companies-Militia in the War of 1812-The Hampshire Rangers-The Cavalry Company-Amherst Artil- lery Company-Company C-Company K, · 369
CHAPTER XLIV.
Taverns and Stage Routes-Boltwood's Tavern-The Mansion House -. Hygeian Hotel-Baggs' Tavern-Inns at North, East and South Amherst -Early Stage Routes-Stage Drivers, . 380
CHAPTER XLV.
Liquor Selling and Intemperance-Drinking Habits in Early Times-First Efforts to Check the Evil-Temperance Association at South Amherst- Washington Total Abstinence Society at East Amherst-Washington Society at North Amherst-West Center Society-Reform Club-W. C. T. U .- Good Templars Organizations-Liquor Licenses, · 388
CHAPTER XLVI.
The Care of the Town's Poor-Early Methods-The Poor Farm and Alms- house-Expenses at the Almshouse-The Night Police-The Lock-up- The Smith Charities, . 396
CHAPTER XLVII.
Town Cemeteries-The Old West Cemetery-Cemeteries at North and South Amherst-Wildwood Cemetery-Village Improvement-The Commons- The Ornamental Tree Association-Village Improvement Societies at the Center, at East Amherst, South Amherst, North Amherst and the "City," 403
CHAPTER XLVIII.
Public Improvements-Street Lighting-The Introduction of Gas-The Amherst Gas Co .- Electric Lighting-Concrete Walks-Water Supply-
The First Survey-The Amherst Water Co .- Spring Water Co .- Sewers, 416
CHAPTER XLIX.
Highways and Bridges-The Northampton Bridge .- Street Sprinkling-Tri- angle Street Fight-The Town Hall, . · 428
CHAPTER L.
Crimes, Accidents, Epidemics-Fatal Accidents-Murders-Birdie Danahey -Small-Pox in Amherst, · 435
CHAPTER LI.
Schemes for Acquiring Wealth-The Mulberry Craze-Mining Stock Invest- ments -Assessment Insurance-Old Business Firms, 442
CHAPTER LII.
Old Houses-Town Politics-Amusements and Celebrations-Amherst's Cen- tennial- Weather Phenomena-Storms and Flood-The " Blizzard," · 450
CHAPTER LIII.
The Old Cannon-Slavery and the Abolition Movement-Authors-Scientists -Natural Features-Locality Names-Public Conveniences-Societies, 460
XX.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER LIV.
Amherst in the Civil War-Action Taken by the State Government-The Raising of Troops-Regiments in which Amherst Men Served-Mass Meetings and Flag-Raisings in Amherst-Raising Men and Money- Death of Adjutant Stearns-Amherst Men Killed and Wounded in the Early Battles of the War,
CHAPTER LV. 474
Hard Times in 1863 -- The Conscription Act-Amherst's Enrollment-The Draft at Greenfield-Substitutes and Commutation-Battles in 1863- Measures to avoid the Draft-Return of the 27th-Amherst Men Killed and Wounded in 1864-The Roll of Honor-Losses in Battle-Service by Regiments-Muster by Months-War Expenses of the Town, . . 482
CHAPTER LVI.
Regimental History - Twenty-Seventh - Thirty-Seventh - Fifty-Second - Tenth-Twenty-First-Fifty-Fourth, . · 493
CHAPTER LVII.
Service Record, by Regiments, of Each Man who Served on Amherst's Quota, and Others Whose Names Appear on the Marble Tablets in the Town Hall,
CHAPTER LVIII. ; 503
Amherst College-Administration of President Stearns-Gifts and Bequests -College Buildings-New Departments-The College in the War-The 50th Anniversary-Julius H. Seelye Elected President-Gifts to the Col- lege-Members of the Faculty- The Library-Physical Culture-The " Amherst System "-Greek Letter Fraternities, . 524
CHAPTER LIX.
The Agricultural College-Causes Leading to its Establishment-Hon. Mar- shall P. Wilder's Address-The Agricultural College Commission-Presi- dent Hitchcock's Report-Plans for a College-The " School of Agricul- ture " -- The Morrill Land Grant Act-Its Provisions-Massachusetts Accepts the-Grant-The Agricultural College Trustees Incorporated- Their First Report-Securing a Location-Amherst's Subscription to the Fund-The Lands Purchased-Amherst's Petition, . 532
CHAPTER LX.
Hon. Henry F. French Elected President-Plan for Organization -- Locating the Buildings-Prof. Paul A. Chadbourne Succeeds President French -Injunction against the Town-Courses of Instruction-Buildings Con- tracted for -- College Bonds and Loans-William S. Clark Elected Presi- dent-Requisites for Admission-The College Opens-President Clark's Report-Grants by the General Court-New Buildings -Gifts to the Col- lege-Unsuccessful Effort to Remove the College from State Control. . 543
CHAPTER LXI.
Graduation of the First Class-Endowment of Prizes-Alumni Association Organized-Changes in the Faculty-Labor Fund Established-Experi- mental Work-Free Scholarships-Hard Times at the College -President
£
xxi.
CONTENTS.
Clark's Resignation-Reorganization-Charles L. Flint Elected President -Levi Stockbridge Succeeds President Flint-Final Attempt to Remove · the College from State Control-Proposal to Raise a College Fund-Paul A. Chadbourne Elected President 553
CHAPTER LXII.
The State Experiment Station Organized-James C. Greenough Elected President-New Buildings Erected-Henry H. Goodell Elected President -Hatch Experiment Station Formed-Grant by the National Government -- Additions to College Equipment-State Appropriations -Student Organ- izations-Value of the Work Accomplished by the College . 561
CHAPTER LXIII.
Biographical Sketches of Prominent Citizens, . 571
APPENDIX A.
LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE GENERAL COURT, SELECTMEN, TOWN CLERKS, TOWN TREASURERS, AND MODERATORS OF TOWN-MEETINGS, 1735-1896, . ·
. 584
TOWN FINANCES, . . 589
APPENDIX C.
VALUATION LISTS,
. 597
APPENDIX D.
POPULATION, FAMILIES, VOTERS' LIST 1802, . 604
APPENDIX E.
SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION,
. 610
APPENDIX F.
OLD MANUSCRIPTS,
. 613
INDEX.
. 617
ADDENDA,
. 641
ERRATA,
. 642
PART II.
TOWN. MEETING RECORDS,
· I INDEX TO TOWN-MEETING RECORDS, . 2 57
APPENDIX B. .
-
List of Illustrations.
Page.
Page.
Lord Amherst.
facing title page Parker, Rev S P 198
Seal of Amherst,
II.
Moyce, Rev P J
198
Old Map of Town.
17
Merrick, Rev James L
198
Dickinson, Sq John
22 Belden, Rev Pomeroy
198
Dickinson, Sq Chester
22 Hunt, Rev W W
198
Dickinson, Zebina
22
King, Rev E P 198
Dickinson Judge John
22 First Parish, Second Meeting-House,203
Dickinson, Mrs Ame
22 First Parish, Third Meeting-House, 205
Old Clapp House.
30 Second Parish, First Meeting House,209
Simeon Clark's House,
30 Second Parish, Second Meeting- House, 209
Kellogg House at East St ..
30
30 North Congregational Church, 223
30 South Congregational Church, 223
230
Watch owned by Nathaniel Smith,
230
Old Boltwood House,
44 Montague, Jemima
230
Old House at M A C,
44 Montague, Zebina
230
Daniel Dickinson's House,
44
College Well,
231
Dickinson Tavern,
44
Amherst College Church,
231
Cowles House M A C.
44
Baptist Church, Wesley M E Church,
234
John Nash's Tavern Sign.
58
Strong House,
60
M E Church at North Amherst City,242
Henderson House,
60
Grace Episcopal Church. 246
Mattoon, Ebenezer,
100
First Universalist Church,
250
Colton, Aaron M
108
St Bridget's Church,
250
Parsons, Dr David
108
Amherst as seen from Pelham before 1850, 271
Nathan Dickinson House,
134
Mt Pleasant Institute, 27 1
Hills, Henry F 286
286
Hills, Leonard M
286
Old Whiting House and Elm,
141
Watson, Oliver
286
Burnham, George
286
Amherst Academy,
144
Clapp. Oliver M
286
Stearns, William A
155
Kellogg, James
286
Seelye, Julius H
155
W S Clark's House,
288
Moore, Zephaniah S
155
Old Mill at North Amherst. 288
Humphrey, Heman
155
Pleasant St looking North, 292
292
Amherst College 1856.
177
An old wood cut of common,
296
Scene on Fort River,
177
Rifle shop,
296
Wright, Silas
185
Dickinson, Daniel
312
Webster, Noah
185
Nash, John A
312
Adams, Charles D
185
Nash, Samuel
312
Delano. Charles
IS5
Dickinson, Enos
312
Baker, Osmyn
189
Greene, Moses B
312
Boltwood, Lucius
189
Clark, Simeon
312
Conkey, I Frank
189
Leland, John
312
Conkey, Ithamar
189 Boltwood Tavern Sign.
332
Roberts, Reuben Sr
195
South Amherst Post-office Sign.
332
Roberts, Reuben Jr
195 Dickinson, Edward
335
Cushman, John R
195 Gaylord. Eleazar
337
Cushman, Ephraim
195 Baker, Alfred
337
Smith, Rev J T
198 | Eastman, Solomon K
337
Conkey Tavern,
134
Jones, Thomas
Autograph Manuscript of Daniel Shays,
135
Brick School House,
144
Hitchcock. Edward
155
Fearing's Shop,
242
First Parish, Fourth Meeting-House, 108
39
Dickinson, Oliver
39 Cowles, Oliver
Old House at South Amherst.
Oldest House on the Bay Road,
" Ye Kunk,'
-
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
xxiii.
Page.
Page.
Boltwood, Elijah
337
Delta Upsilon House.
528
Gallond, George B
337
Chi Phi House.
528
Palmer, Frederick A
337
Chi Psi Lodge,
528
Smith, William W
Psi Upsilon House,
528
Mack, David
338
Beta Theta Pi House
530
Mack. Samuel E
338
Theta Delta Chi House,
530
Sweetser, Luke
338
Phi Delta Theta House,
530
Adams. John S
338
Phi Gamma Delta House. Phi Kappa Psi House,
530
old Fire Bucket.
364
French, Henry F
532
Merchants Row 1865.
368
Flint, Charles L
532
Merchants Row 1879,
368
Chadbourne, Paul A
532
Hat of Hampshire Rifles.
376
Clark, W S
532
Merchants Row 1896.
382
Mass Agricultural College,
5.50
Amherst House,
382
McConihe, Sarah S
572
Field Building 1859.
384
Dickinson, Jerusha
572
Hvgcian Hotel.
384
Cooke, George
572
Oldest Stone in West Cemetery.
404
Stearns, Frazar A
572
The Common 1870,
407
Kellogg, Eleazer A
575
The Common 1895,
407
Converse, Daniel
575
C'ash Row,
423
Ingram, Ezra
575
Chase's Block,
423
Hastings, Thomas
575
Town Hall,
433
Dickinson, Porter
575
M A C Barn and House,
433
Dickinson, Waitstill
575
Phoenix Row before 1880,
447
Boyden, James W
576
Phoenix Row 1840,
447
Carter, Samuel C
576
Judge John Dickinson's House,
450
Hunt, William A
576
Delano House,
450
Fitch, Newton
576
Warner House,
459 Lessey, Chauncey W
581
Maple Avenue,
459
Howland, Warren S
581
l'almer's Block,
459
Beston, John Jr
581
Amherst House and Stage,
459
Merrill, Calvin
581
Fish, Seth
Montague, George
581
Fish, DB N
470
Snell, Ebenezer S
581
Gridley, Timothy J
470
Smith, Cotton
581
smith. Benjamin F
470
Slate, Jonathan S
581
Amherst College Fraternity Houses :
Henderson, Timothy
581
Alpha Delta Phi House.
528
Warner, David S
581
Delta Kappa Epsilon House,
528
Parsons. David
581
470
Nims, Seth
581
Beklen, Rufus
470
530
Holland, Seneca
338
337
PART I.
A History of Amherst, Mass.
CHAPTER I.
INDIAN DEED OF LANDS .- RIVER INDIANS .- ORIGINAL BOUNDS OF HADLEY .- CAUSES LEADING TO HADLEY'S SETTLEMENT .- BEGIN- NINGS OF THE TOWN OF HADLEY .- INDIAN WARS, 1675-1748.
The lands comprised within the present limits of the township of Amherst are a part of those acquired by John Pynchon of Springfield, by purchase from the Nonotuck or Norwottuck tribe of Indians in 1658. In 1653 a number of men residing in Windsor, Hartford and other places in Connecticut petitioned the General Court of Massachusetts to grant them a plantation at Nonotuck, above Springfield. This petition was granted and the General Court appointed three men of Springfield, John Pynchon, I.lizur Holyoke and Samuel Chapin, to divide the land into two planta- tions, the petitioners to have one of them. In December, 1658, Major Pynchon secured from the Indians the following deed of land :
This deed embraces the land from the mouth of Fort River, and Mount Hol- voke. on the south, to the mouth of Mohawk brook and the southern part of Mount Toby, on the north, extending easterly nine miles into the woods.
" Here followeth a copy of a deed or writing whereby the Indians of Nolwotogg, pon the river Quienecticott, made sale of certain lands unto Maj. John Pynchon, : Springfield, together with the copy of the said Maj. John Pynchon his assign- ment of the said deed to the use and behoof of the inhabitants of Hadley, and his k Knowledgment thereof.
Be it known to all men by these presents that Chickwollop alias Wahillowa, I'mpanchella alias Womscom, and Quonquont alias Wompshaw, the sachems of Nolwotogg, and the sole and proper owners of all the land on the east side of Raonicticot river, from the hills called Petowamachu, and from the mouth of the 'rook or river called Towunucksett, and so all along by the great river upward or northward to the brook called Nepassooenegg, and from the hither part of south end of the great hills called Kunckquachu, (being guessed at near about nine miles in length) by the river Quenecticott-We the aforenamed Chickwallop alias Waah- How. I'mpanchala alias Womscom, and Quonquont alias Wompshaw. of Nolwo- Was on the one party, do give, grant, bargain and sell unto John Pynchon, of Springfield, on the other party, to him, his assigns and successors forever, all the
I
2
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
grounds, woods, ponds, waters, meadows, trees, stones. &c. lying on the east side of Quenicticot River, within the compass aforesaid, from the mouth of the little Riverett called Towenucksett, and the hills Petowomuchu northward up the great river of Quenecticot, to the Brook Nepowssooenegg, and from the south end of the hills Quaquachu, being near about nine miles in length, from the south part to the north part, and all within the compass from Quenecticot River eastward nine miles out into the woods, all the aforesaid tract of ground called Towunucksett. Sunmukquommuck, Suchaw, Noycoy, Gassek, Pomptuckset, Mattabaget, Wun- naquickset, Kunckkiunk-qualluck, Neposeoneag, and to the south end of the great hill called Kunckquachu, and for nine or ten miles eastward from the great river out into the woods eastward-We the said Chickwallop, Umpanchella, and Quon- quont, do for and in consideration of two hundred fathom of wampom. and twenty fathom and one large coat at eight fathom, which Chickwallop sets off, of trusts. besides several small gifts, and for other good causes and considerations do sell. give, grant, and have given, granted, bargained and sold to John Pynchon, of Springfield, and to his assigns and successors all and singular the aforenamed land, or by whatever other name it is or may be called, quietly to possess, have and enjoy the aforesaid tract of ground free from all molestations or incumbrances of Indians, and that forever, only the Indians aforenamed, and in particular Quon- quont, doth reserve and keep one corn field about twelve, sixteen, or twenty acres of ground, a little above Mattabaget, by the brook called Wunnaquickset, lying on the south side of the said brook, and compassed in by a swamp from that brook to the great river, and also they reserve liberty to hunt deer, fowl, &c. and to take fish, beaver or otter, &c. but otherwise all the aforesaid premises the said John Pynchon, his assigns and successors and their heirs shall forever enjoy absolutely and clearly, free from all incumbrances of any Indians or their corn fields forever, except as before excepted. And in witness hereof, we the said Indians do sub- scribe our marks this present twenty-fifth day of December, 1658. It is only the corn field on this or south side of the brook called Wunnuckeckset, and the little bit of ground by it within the swamp and betwixt the swamp and the great river which the Indians do reserve, and are to enjoy. But the little corn field on the other side or further side or north side of Wunnaquickset, and all the other corn fields within the compass of ground aforenamed, the Indians are to leave and yield up, as witness their hands.
The mark-of Umpanchla alias Womscom. The mark-of Quonquont alias Wompshaw. The mark-of Chickwalopp alias Wowahillowa.
Witness to this purchase and that the Indians do fully sell all the lands afore- mentioned to Mr. Pynchon, and that the marks were subscribed by the Indians themselves.
Joseph Parsons,
Edwd. Elmore.
Joseph Fitch,
Samuel Wright,
Arthur Williams,
The mark R. T. of Rowland Thomas, who was privy to the whole discourse and conclusion of the purchase, and Joseph Parsons was present and acquainted with the whole agreement; the other witnesses came in to testify to the subscrib- ing, and that the Indians owned all as it was read to them.
£
3
LANDS PURCHASED OF THE INDIANS.
The Indians desired they might set their wigwams at some times within the tract of ground they sold without offence, and that the English would be kind and neighborly to them in not prohibiting them fire-wood out of the woods, &c. which was promised them."
In the earlier part of the 17th century the Indians dwelling in Western Massachusetts near the Connecticut river belonged to four small tribes or clans, the Agawams, located at Springfield and West Springfield, the War- anokes at Westfield, the Nonotucks or Norwottucks at Northampton, Hadley and Hatfield, the Pocomtucks at Deerfield. They were generally known as " River Indians," and numbered between ten and eleven hun- dred. They were allied to the Nipmucks or Nipnets, who inhabited the interior of Massachusetts, but were not subject to a common sachem. The principal chiefs of the Norwottucks were Chickwallop, Umpanchala and Quonquont. They claimed to be the owners of most of the lands on both sides of the river, Chickwallop of the southern, Umpanchala of the middle and Quonquont of the northern part. They seem to have been ever ready to dispose of their lands to the whites, and while the prices paid will hardly bear comparison with real estate values at the present time, there is little doubt the Indians were as well satisfied with their bar- gains as were the purchasers. In making these sales the Indians generally reserved the rights of fishing and hunting on the granted premises, which from the Indian standpoint constituted the principal value of land. In view of the general charge that the American Indians have been robbed and defrauded of their rightful heritage, it is pleasing to know that the lands of Amherst were fairly purchased of their Indian owners and fairly paid for.
Major Pynchon charged the residents of Hadley for the land pur- chased on the east side of the Connecticut river £62, 10s. That this was considered a high price at the time is shown by an extract from a petition to the General Court by the citizens of Hadley, dated May 25, 1663 : "We have purchased of the Indians at such rates as we believe never any plantation in New England was purchased." The deed was assigned by Major Pynchon to " the present Inhabitants of Hadley," Oct. 28, 1663, in a writing in which he says he acted in the purchase as an agent entrusted by them. Pynchon received his pay from individuals and not of the town, from 1661 to 1668. The account was balanced Nov. 12, 1669. The sums were paid in money, grain and merchandise.
In October, 1663, the General Court determined that the bounds of Hadley, on the east side of the river, should be five miles from their meting-house place up the river, five miles down the river and four miles from the most eastern part of the river. In October, 1672, the people of Hadley petitioned the General Court for an enlargement of their township.
4
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
In their petition they said : "The common feeding place of our working cattle, whereby we carry on our husbandry, is without our town-bounds." · This "common feeding place " was probably in the present town of Amherst. In answer to this petition the General Court decreed. May 7, 1673 : "that their bounds shall run from their meeting-house five miles up the river, five miles down the river and six miles from their meeting-house eastward." In April, 1739, Oliver Partridge of Hatfield was employed to survey the township according to the grant of 1673. He first ascer- tained the point or place that was exactly six miles due east of the old meeting-house, and from that point measured north five miles and south five miles and from each extremity of this line of ten miles he ran a line directly west to the Connecticut river. His south line was 7 miles and 94 rods long and his north line 4 miles and 142 rods.
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