USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Amherst > The history of the town of Amherst, Massachusetts, pt 1 > Part 23
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Samuel M. Worcester was born in Fitchburg in 1801, was graduated from Harvard College in 1822, studied theology at Andover Seminary and was engaged in teaching at Phillips Academy when, in 1823, he accepted an appointment as tutor in Amherst College. In 1824, he was appointed teacher of languages, and librarian, and in 1825, at the organization under the charter. professor of rhetoric and oratory. In 1827, in company with a fellow instructor Bela B. Edwards, he undertook the editorial charge of the New England Enquirer, the second newspaper to be published in Amherst, its predecessor, The Chemist and Meteorological Journal, having been conducted during its brief existence by Prof. John B. Cotting. The Enquirer died a peaceful death in 1828; in 1829, the members of the college assisted by the citizens elected Professor Worcester a member of the General Court. In 1832, Professor Worcester. was ordained as evangelist ; from April, 1830, to March, 1833, he preached regularly at "Hadley Mills," now North Hadley, where his labors were blessed with an extensive revival of religion. He severed his connection with the college in 1834, and for more than a quarter of a century thereafter served as pastor of the Tabernacle church in Salem.
Of some among the professors who served the college during President Hitchcock's administration, special mention will be made in later chapters
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
of this work. Charles B. Adams was born in Dorchester in 1814. He entered Yale College in 1830, but during the second year of his course came to Amherst, where he was graduated with the highest honors in 1834. For one year he was a tutor in Amherst College, then accepted an appoint- ment as professor of chemistry and natural history at Middlebury College, a position he held for nine years until. in 1847, he was appointed professor of astronomy and geology and curator of the cabinet in Amherst College. He held this position five years, his death occurring in 1852 while engaged in scientific explorations on the island of St. Thomas. He was a diligent scholar, and able teacher, and his death at an early age was a great loss to the college and to the scientific world.
The grounds on which the first college buildings were erected were a part of the farm owned by Col. Elijah Dickinson, who, when the $50,000 charity fund was being raised, agreed to give three acres of land, valued at $600. Col. Dickinson died in 1820, but in November of that year his widow, Mrs. Jerusha Dickinson, and his son, Moses Dickinson, gave a deed to the trustees of nine acres of land. In 1827, two and one-half acres more were purchased by the trustees of Col. Dickinson's heirs. In 1828, the trustees purchased of Dea. John Leland eleven acres on the west side of the highway, which belonged originally to the estate of Rev. Dr. Parsons and included the old " Parsons' house " and other buildings. In IS41, the town on petition of the trustees deeded to them the land in front of the original college lot, to be used for college purposes only. In 1861, the College purchased of Judge John Dickinson five acres in the rear of the original purchase. In 1866, the College purchased of Lucius Bolt- wood, Esq. two and one-half acres of land on the north side of the campus. Following is a copy of the original deed dated May 15, ISIS. by which Elijah Dickinson conveyed land to the trustees of Amherst Academy, on certain conditions :
To all People to whom these presents shall come, GREETING.
KNOW YE THAT I Elijah Dickinson of Amherst in the County of Hampshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Esquire. For and in consideration of the sum of Two Thousand Dollars current money of the Commonwealth aforesaid, to me in hand paid, before the ensealing hereof, by the Trustees of Amherst Academy the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge and am fully satisfied, contented. and paid, HAVE given, granted, bargained, sold, aliened, released. conveyed and con- firmed, and by these Presents, do freely, clearly and absolutely give, grant. bargain, sell, alien, release, convey and confirm unto them the said Trustees, their Successors in said office and assigns forever, A certain tract of land lying in Amherst afore- said on the North-West corner of my home Lot Bounded West on the Common : North on land of Elisha Warner & East & South on my own land containing about ten acres : begining at the North West corner of said premises by said Common thence runing easterly by the south line of said Warner's Lot Forty reds, thence Southerly on a parrallel line with the West line of said lot about forty rods to
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within about three feet of a fence, thence Westerly about forty rods to said Common to a point about one rod South of an Apple tree by the fence, supposed to be about thirtytwo rods South of said North West corner. If this Deed goes into effect the said Trustees of said College are to make a good fence around the whole of said premises & always keep the same in good repair: said Elijah is to improve & remain in possession of said premises until the conditions of this Deed are complied with .-- TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the before granted Premises, with the appurtenances and privileges thereto belonging, to them the said Trustees, their Successors in said office and assigns: To- their own proper use, benefit and behoof, forevermore. And I the said Elijah Dickinson for myself my heirs, execu- tors and administrators, do covenant, promise and grant unto and with the said Trustees, their Successors in said office and assigns forever : That before and until the ensealing hereof I am the true, sole, proper and lawful owner and possessor of the before granted Premises with the appurtenances. And have in me good right, full power and . lawful authority. to give, grant, bargain, sell, alien, release, convey and confirm, the same as aforesaid: and that free and clear, and freely and clearly executed, acquitted and discharged of and from all former and other gifts, grants, bargains, sales, leases, mortgages, wills, intails, jointures, doweries, thirds, execu- tions, and incumbrances whatsoever.
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AND FURTHERMORE, I the said Elijah Dickinson for myself, my heirs. execu- tors, and administrators, do hereby covenant, promise and engage the before granted Premises, with the appurtenances, unto them the said Trustees, their Successors in said office and assigns forever, to warrant, secure and defend against the lawful claims and demands of any person or persons whatsoever.
IN Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and' seal this fifteenth day of May in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
Whereas it is contemplated to procure the establishment, in the Town of Amherst aforesaid, of a College University, or Classical Institution for the educa- tion of young men for the gospel Ministry,-wherin shall be taught all the branches of learning usually taught in Colleges in New England : & whereas part of the Consideration for this conveyance is the establishment of such College University. or Classical Institution on the premises : Now the conditions of this deed is & such is the full and explicit understanding of the Parties thereto: that the same is to be utterly void & of no effect in Law, unless such College, University or Institution shall be established at Amherst & located on the premises, in three years from this date unless also the said Trustees of Amherst Academy shall forthwith after such establishment, or within one year thereafter, assign to such College, University. or Classical Institution. the same premises for the uses & purposes above mentioned : & unless also the Trustees of such College, University, or Classical Institution shall within one year after the establishment thereof, pay to me or to my heirs the sum of Two Hundred Dollarst an acre for all such quantity as shall exceed three acres (said three to be given) as part of the consideration of this conveyance. Any of the above conditions failing to be performed, this Deed to be of no effect in Law but utterly void .-
ELIJAH DICKINSON [Seal]
Signed sealed & delivered in presence of us MOSES DICKINSON
H. WRIGHT STRONG
- "The words an acre for all such quantity as shall exceed three acres, (said three acres to be given) interlined before signing -in the original Deed .- H. W. STRONG.
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Hampshire ss. May 23ª ISIS Personally appeared Elijah Dickinson Subscriber to the above Instrument & acknowledged the same to be his Deed .-
Before me H. WRIGHT STRONG Justice of the Peace. May 10th 1819 I agree to receive pay for such quantity of Land above described as shall exceed six acres only, meaning that I give Six acres of the Land afore- said if Williams College is located in said Amherst, provided Williams College is erected on said premises .--
ELIJAH DICKINSON.
CHAPTER XXVI.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS WHO WERE BORN IN THE YEARS DATING FROM 1686 TO 1720.
In preceding chapters of this History, the aim has been to present in chronological order the principal events that have marked the history of the precinct, district, and town, and its inhabitants. In chapters that are to follow, particular subjects will be considered under appropriate chapter headings. It may be well in this place to give in outline brief sketches of the lives of men who were prominent in town affairs, up to the time that Amherst College was organized. These sketches must, of necessity, be brief and incomplete. Many of these earlier inhabitants have no desendants living in Amherst at the present time, and little information concerning them can be obtained from any source. It is known that they were men of prominence in their day and generation, taking an active part in town and church affairs, but as to their personality, the elements of character by which they gained distinction, the records are silent. Sketches of some of the more prominent men have been given in preceding chapters in connection with special events.
Of the earliest inhabitants of the settlement, the date of whose birth is prior to 1758, the following appear, from the town records and from other available sources of information, to have attained special distinction : Samuel Hawley, Moses Warner, Elisha Ingram, Alexander Smith, Moses Dickinson, John Field. John Nash, John Billings, Simeon Pomeroy, Moses Cook, Hezekiah Belding, Preserved Clapp, Jonathan Moody, Eli Parker, Seth Coleman, Joseph Eastman, Robert Cutler, Elisha Smith, Daniel Kellogg, Zebina Montague. Daniel Cooley, Oliver Dickinson. Of all but eight of these, brief sketches have already been given in connection with
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the early settlement. But little can be added, a word here, a line there, as information has been obtained. Samuel Hawley was the moderator of `the first meeting held in Hadley Third Precinct, a member of the first committee chosen to call precinct meetings, and served at various times on committees to hire a minister and build a meeting-house. Moses Warner was among the earliest of the innkeepers, his tavern being a favorite place of resort for the citizens in attendance at town-meetings. Moses Dickin- son was equally prominent in town and church affairs, was a member of the committee of correspondence at the outbreak of the Revolutionary war, a delegate to various conventions, representative to the General Court, and served on many of the important committees appointed by the parish. Alexander Smith served as selectman and held other offices of importance. John Field was commissioned as lieutenant in the militia by Gov. Hutchin- son in 1773, but gave up his commission the following year. John Nash was among the early tavern-keepers ; he was also one of the officers com- missioned by Gov. Hutchinson. He was the first precinct clerk, an office he held many years, serving also as precinct treasurer and moderator. John Billings was a deacon in the Second church ; he served as represen- tative to the General Court two years. Moses Cook represented the town for two years in the General Court; he also held many town offices. Hezekiah Belding was a deacon of the Second church. Jonathan Moody held many important town offices, including that of selectman. There is hardly a page in the old precinct and district records but bears the name of Joseph Eastman. He served as selectman, assessor, treasurer, school committee, and was a member of nearly all the important committees appointed during the earlier years of the settlement. He was the first district treasurer appointed after the district had been set off from the town of Hadley. The New England Historical and Genealogical Register says of him, " He was intelligent, frugal and Godly." Daniel Kellogg was selectman, assessor, and served on many important committees. In 1770, he was one of the largest property holders, his estate being valued at f119.
It is impossible to state with accuracy the precise date when Eli Parker came to Amherst. He is first mentioned in the district records under date of 1769, when he was elected a "vorden," or warden. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John Hubbard, by whom he had children, Eli, Levi, Samuel, Deborah, Hannah and Elizabeth. In the war of the Revolution he was lieutenant of militia, leading a company of minute men to. Cambridge at the time of the Lexington alarm. He afterwards com- manded a company in Col. Leonard's regiment that marched from Hampshire county to Ticonderoga in 1777. He was active in both town and church affairs.
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Elisha Smith was son of Peter, who came to the Third Precinct between 1739 and 1745, and grandson of Chiliab Smith of Hadley. He married in 1782, Ursula, daughter of Dea. John Billings, by whom he had children, Jerusha, Lucretia, Achsah, Peter. Polly and Elisha.
Zebina Montague, son of Major Richard Montague, was born in Hadley, July 23, 1754. He married, Dec. 30, 1778, Jemina Gunn. He removed from Hadley to Amherst, where he lived many years, devoting much of his time to the public service, respected and honored by all. In company with his brother Luke he conducted successfully a mercantile business in a store on Main street, adjoining the " Montague house" still standing. For ten years, nine successively, he represented the town in the General Court. He was for many years a justice of the peace, and during the latter part of his life held the office of brigadier-general of militia. He was a prominent member of the First church, benevolent, kind-hearted. a valued member of the community. He built and resided in the house just south of Palmer's block which was destroyed by fire during the blizzard in March, 1888. General Montague died in 1809.
Seth Coleman was son of Nathaniel, and was born in Hatfield, March 17, 1740. When two years of age his parents removed to Amherst. At the age of twenty-one he entered Yale College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1765. He studied medicine with Dr. Hubbard of New Haven, and entered upon the practice of his profession in Amherst in 1767, where he remained until his death in 1816. He was twice married. in 1765 to Sarah Beecher, who died in 1783 ; in 1785 to Eunice Warner. who died in 1822. By his first wife he had children, William, Thankful, Sarah, Fanny, Seth, Eliphalet. Dr. Coleman was a man eminent for his zeal in religious matters. He served for several years as a deacon in the First church ; from 1785 to 1808, he was clerk and treasurer of the parish. Robert Cutler was son of Rev. Robert, and was born at Epping. N. H., Oct. 2, 1748. He studied medicine at Hardwick, Mass., and began the practice of his profession in Pelham in 1770. He was married, Dec. 22, 1773, to Esther, widow of Isaac Guernsey of Northampton; by her he had seven children, all born in Pelham. He removed to Amherst in 1787. where he soon acquired a large practice, being for many years the leading physician of the town. He has been described, by one who remembered him well, as the most polite man in, town. Mounted upon a bay horse, wearing a three-cornered hat, knee breeches, white-top boots, his snow white hair done up in a queue, and with saddle-bags across his horse's back, he would ride through the village bowing and smiling at all he met, whether young or old. An interesting incident is related concerning Mrs. Cutler, which occurred before the family removed to Amherst, during the Shays rebellion. Dr. Cutler was strong in his opposition to the rebellion
GOV SILAS WRIGHT.
NOAH WEBSTER.
CHARLES DELANO
CHARLES D.ADAMS
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and made himself so obnoxious to the Shays party that he was frequently warned to change his views or be more guarded in their expression. " On a given night the Shays men had arranged to make him a visit, and either compel him to join them in their march to Springfield, as a surgeon, or get out of the town. Learning of their movements, he made it convenient not to be at home on the appointed night. Being enraged at his departure, they demanded of Mrs. Cutler food and shelter, whereupon she spread her tables and gave them all the food she had in the house. They then demanded cider and whatever liquor she chanced to have in her cellar. but she defied them by placing herself before the cellar door, at the same time informing them that she had given them all her food, but not a drop of cider nor liquor could they have unless they obtained it by passing over her dead body. After many threats and not a little show of violence, they proceeded to break the dishes and table, when they took their departure for Springfield."
Daniel Cooley, son of Abner, was born in Sunderland, Feb. 21, 1752. He was graduated at Yale College in 1753. He represented the town two years, 1787 and 1788, in the General Court, and in 1788 was delegate to the first convention that met in Boston to consider the United States con- stitution. Mr. Cooley was three times married ; he died May 27, 1810.
Oliver Dickinson was son of Azariah who came to Amherst from Shutesbury prior to 1763. and was born March 27, 1757. He conducted for many years a tavern at North Amherst, gaining the name of " Landlord Oliver," by which he was generally known. His labors in organizing the North Congregational church and in erecting the church-building will be referred to in a later chapter in this book. He was twice married, (1) to Hannah Strickland; (2) to Dorothy Whiting ; he had no children. He died in Amherst, May 12, 1843.
Of a little later generation, dating in birth from 1758 to 1788, were Samuel Fowler Dickinson, Noah Webster. Rufus Cowles, Justus Williams, Enos Dickinson, Hezekiah Wright Strong, Elijah Boltwood, John Dickin- son, Aaron Merrick, Medad Dickinson, Daniel Mack, Noah D. Mattoon, Ithamar Conkey and Timothy J. Gridley.
Medad Dickinson was son of Moses, who came from Hadley to Amherst prior to 1745 ; he was born June 9, 1755 ; was three times married, (1) to Sally Smith, (2) to Eleanor Morton. (3) to Esther Dickinson : he had children, Sally, Hannah, Thankful, Olive, Moses, Pliny, Oliver, Esther, Aaron. Eleanor, Medad and Julia. He served the town as representative in the General Court in IS10 and 1811.
Noah Webster was not a native of Amherst, but resided here for several years, during which time he was prominently identified with the town and its institutions. Born in Hartford, Conn., Oct. 16, 1758, he was graduated
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from Yale College in 1778, admitted to the bar in 1781, engaged in teach- ing. compiling school-books, writing essays on political and literary subjects and delivering lectures till 1789, a lawyer in Hartford till 1793, editor of a daily and semi-weekly paper in New York till 1798, and soon after devoted himself solely to literary and philological pursuits at New Haven, Conn. He removed to Amherst in 1812, and remained here about ten years, devoting himself to labor upon the dictionary which was his great life-work and which was destined to make his name known wherever the English language is spoken. He lived in an old-style wooden house that stood not far from the site now occupied by Kellogg's Block, surrounded by a thriving orchard. During his stay in Amherst he took a leading part in town affairs, often serving as moderator at town-meetings and representing the town in the General Court three years. A prominent member of the First church, he was, in 1819, one of the committee chosen to confer with the Rev. Daniel A. Clark on settling in the ministry. He was one of the incorporators of Amherst Academy and bore a prominent part in the labors attendant on the organization of the college.
Justus Williams, son of Justus, one of the early settlers of Amherst, was born in this town, April 7, 1766. He engaged in farming for many years in the south part of the village. When the project of establishing a college in the town first attracted public attention, he favored the proposi- tion strongly and his name is honorably mentioned by Professor Tyler as among the most active in aiding the enterprise. Mr. Williams was married, Jan. I, ISoo, to Sarah, daughter of Jonathan Warner, by whom he had five children, Zebadiah, Jonathan. Mary A., Oren and Onam. He died in Amherst, in 1824.
Rufus Cowles, was son of Oliver, who came to Amherst from Hadley prior to 1763 ; he was born Dec. 16, 1767. was graduated from Dartmouth College in 1792, studied medicine and practiced his profession in New Salem and Amherst, and during the latter part of his life was engaged in mercantile business in the latter town. He owned considerable property in Amherst and a large tract of land in Maine. He was prominent among the founders of Amherst College, serving as a member of the board of trustees before the charter was granted. He is described as " bluff, hearty and generous, full of force and of the unrestrained individuality so preva- lent in his time, at the front and with 'the best in everything affecting the prosperity of Amherst." He lived in the house on North Pleasant street now occupied by the Misses Cowles. His death occurred Nov. 22, 1837.
Of Hezekiah Wright Strong something has already been recorded in connection with the founding of Amherst College. He was son of Judge Simeon Strong, and was born in Amherst, Dec. 24, 1768. He studied law in his father's office, practiced his profession for a time in Deerfield, and
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afterwards in Amherst. He was one of the founders of Amherst Academy and Amherst College. He was an energetic man, tireless in laboring for any cause that enlisted his interest, progressive, by many deemed visionary. The first ice-house and the first bathing-house in Amherst were built by him. In 1825, he was appointed postmaster at Amherst, continuing in office until 1842. For several years he conducted a store on the present site of Adams' drug store. He died in Troy, N. Y., Oct. 7, 1848.
Aaron Merrick was son of James, who came from Monson to Amherst prior to 1763 ; he was born in May, 1770; married, June 22, 1800, Mary Howe; died in Amherst, Dec. 3, 1843. He represented the town in the. General Court in IS22.
Samuel Fowler Dickinson has already been mentioned in connection with the founding of Amherst Academy and Amherst College. Distin- guished as were his services in the cause of education, they were but the reflex of a public spirit that was interested in all progress and bore a prominent part in affairs of church and state. A descendant in direct line from Nathaniel Diekinson, who was among the original settlers of Hadley, he was the embodiment of those qualities and virtues that gave to New England strength and character from the earliest times. He was born in Amherst, Oct. 9, 1775, and was graduated at Dartmouth College in the class of 1795, with distinguished honors. After leaving college, he taught for one year in the academy at New Salem, and then studied law in the office of Judge Simeon Strong. He opened an office for the practice of his profession in Amherst, where he soon acquired an extensive business, being accounted among the ablest lawyers in the county. He was married, March 31, 1802, to Lucretia Gunn of Montague, by whom he had children. Edward, William, Lucretia, Mary, Samuel Fowler, Catharine, Timothy, Frederick and Elizabeth. He united with the First church in Amherst, and when but twenty-one years of age was chosen deacon, an office which he held for nearly forty years, taking an active part in church and parish affairs. In the community he was highly honored ; he served as town clerk many years and for twelve years represented the town in the General Court. He was a natural leader in every enterprise looking toward the public welfare. He took a prominent part in the founding of Amherst AAcademy, and Amherst College owes to his memory a debt which has been acknowledged but can never be fully paid. For the college he sacrificed his property, his time and his professional opportunities. In 1833, he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he held the office of steward of Lane Seminary, afterwards serving the Western Reserve College at Hudson, Ohio, in the same capacity. He died at Hudson, April 22, 1838.
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