USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Amherst > The history of the town of Amherst, Massachusetts, pt 1 > Part 40
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
In February, 1841. the bank petitioned the General Court for power to reduce its capital stock from $100,000 to $50,000. The bank surrendered its charter in 1842, and in 1844 the General Court allowed it two years in which to close up its affairs. In 1845, Wells Lathrop brought suit against the president and directors of the bank to recover $500 for services rendered. As agent of the bank he had prosecuted claims in its behalf. under the agreement that if successful he should receive five per cent. of the amount recovered, if not he was to have only his actual expenses. The case was decided against him in the lower court, but the supreme court granted him a new trial. The presidents of the bank and their terms of service were as follows: Nathaniel Smith, to October. 1832 ; Alpheus Field, October, 1832 to November, 1835 ; Lucius Boltwood, November, 1835 to October, 1836 ; Solomon Pitkin, October, 1836 to Feb- ruary, 1841. The banking-house stood on the site now occupied by the savings bank building. After the bank went out of business the building was purchased by Chester Kellogg.
By an act of the General Court passed March 18, 1845, the " Hamp- shire and Franklin Bank " was incorporated, to transact a banking business at Amherst. Its incorporators were David Mack, Jr., John Dickinson, Jr .. Luke Sweetser and others. The capital stock was $100,000. In the latter part of January, 1846, a bill was introduced in the General Court. authorizing the Hampshire and Franklin bank to go into operation if $50,000 of its capital stock should be paid in by Oct. Ist. Opponents of the measure argued that there was no necessity for it. The bank had been incorporated the previous year with a capital of $100,000, but the petitioners had only been able to secure stock subscriptions amounting to $40,000. Mr. Gridley of Amherst spoke in favor of the measure, contend- ing that the bank was needed and that $50,000 was capital enough for the present. The bill was passed to be engrossed, but the originators of the enterprise were unable to raise even the reduced amount of capital required, so the project was finally abandoned.
The " First National Bank of Amherst " was incorporated in 1864. under the law governing the establishment of national banks. Its charter number was 393. Its incorporators were L. M. Hills, Charles Miles, A. C. Marshall, J. T. Westcott, E. D. Williams, William P. Smith, James G. Vose, Edward Hitchcock, Calvin Bridgman and nineteen others. Its capital stock was $51,000, which was increased in September, 1864. to $100,000, and in May, 1865, to $150,000. A preliminary meeting of the stockholders was held Jan. 23, 1864 ; a permanent organization was formed Jan. 30 ; the charter bears date of April 20, and the bank began to transact business May 4, 1864. The original board of directors consisted of L. M. Hills, A. C. Marshall, J. T. Westcott, E. D. Williams, J. G. Vose, W.
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AMHERST SAVINGS BANK.
P. Smith and S. J. Bennett. L. M. Hills was elected the first president, remaining in office until his death in 1872, when Calvin Bridgman of Belchertown was chosen to fill out his unexpired term. Mr. Bridgman resigned and was succeeded, Jan. 13. 1874, by L. D. Hills, who remains in office. The first cashier was William P. Smith, who resigned, Oct. 10, 1865, and was succeeded, Oct. 16, by R. J. D. Westcott, who held the office until 1887, when his resignation was regretfully accepted. In January. 1885, H. T. Cowles was elected assistant cashier, and on the acceptance of Mr. Westcott's resignation, was promoted to the office of cashier which he yet holds. In 1864, the bank was opened for business in S. W. Whitney's house, near the New London Northern railway depot, where it had secured quarters while the handsome brick block on Main street, which it built and occupied for many years, was in course of con- struction. In 1891, the business was removed to Hunt's block where excellent accommodations were provided. The regular report of the bank, under date of Dec. 13, 1895, showed resources amounting to $611,202.26, a surplus fund of $50,000, undivided profits of $14, 107.77, and individual deposits amounting to $212,509.52.
By an act of the General Court passed in February, 1854, Ithamar Conkey, John S. Adams, William Kellogg, Jr. and others were incorporated as the Amherst Savings Bank. So far as can be ascertained, there was no attempt made to effect an organization under this act, and in April, 1864, a new charter was granted, with Ithamar Conkey, George Cutler, Charles Adams and others as incorporators. At a meeting held Dec. 20, 1864, the corporation was organized and the following officers were elected : Trus- lees, I. F. Conkey, Charles Adams, E. F. Cook. James Hastings, D. W. Palmer, W. A. Dickinson, A. R. Cushman, Horace Ward. George Cutler, all of Amherst, Calvin Bridgman of Belchertown, David Rice of Leverett, N. Austin Smith of Sunderland, L. N. Granger of North Hadley ; presi- dent. Charles Adams; secretary, George Cutler ; treasurer, S. C. Carter. The bank was opened for business Monday, Jan. 2. 1865. The first deposit received was one of $50. The deposits for the first year amounted to $3.239.47. The business was first carried on in a small wooden building that stood on the site now occupied by Dickinson's block. In 1875, it was removed to a brick building, erected by Dwight H. Kellogg and purchased by the bank, which stood on the site of the present bank block ; this building was burned in the great fire of 1879, after which the block now occupied by the bank and post-office was erected. In 1870, Charles Adams Tesigned as president and was succeeded by E. F. Cook, who remains in once. S. C. Carter continued to serve as treasurer until Dec. 31, 1887, when advancing years induced him to tender his resignation, which was accepted by the trustees with deep regret. He was succeeded by E. D.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
Bangs, who is now in office. The affairs of the corporation have ever bec !! managed with prudence and strict economy, insuring its prosperity. .: report of its condition Jan, 1, 1896, shows deposits amounting to $2,057,135. undivided earnings $61,329.37, guarantee funds $$4,582. A dividend o! 4 1-4 per cent. was paid in 1895.
THE POSTAL SERVICE IN AMHERST.
The first post-office established in Amherst by the United States gov- ernment was located in the eastern part of the town, at that time the business center, and the place where town-meetings were held. The first post-master appointed was James Watson, whose commission bore date of Jan. 1, 1806. The office occupied a room in his dwelling-house, where the accommodations, though not extensive, were fully adequate for the business transacted. There was at the time but one mail a week, brought in by stage-coach, and its arrival was an event of general interest to the commu- nity. James Watson served as postmaster only one year, being succeeded. Jan. 1, 1807, by Joseph Watson. Rufus Kellogg was appointed postmaster in 1809, his commission bearing date of Nov. 21 ; he remained in office until 1824. Up to 1820, the office was kept in a room in the southwest corner of his house, yet standing and now occupied by his son, Willard M. Kellogg. About 1820, the establishment of Amherst college and other causes operated to bring about a large increase in population at the West street, and the post-office was removed to a building owned by Jarib White, now know as the Amherst house " Annex." Mr. Kellogg continued to serve as postmaster after the removal of the office to the West street, the office business being attended to by a clerk. Jay White was appointed postmaster in 1824, serving until April, 1825, when he was succeeded by Hezekiah Wright Strong. The office was then removed to Mr. Strong's dwelling-house, which stood to the east of Phoenix Row, a room being built on the west side of the house for office use.
With the removal of the office to the West street and a consequent increase in business, the town was enabled to secure three weekly mails from Boston. The stage route passing through Amherst extended from Boston to Albany and the trip occupied three days. The stage left Boston at 1 A. M. and arrived at Amherst at 9 P. M. It stopped for the night at North- ampton, continuing on its way to Albany in the morning. The mails arrived at Amherst Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. There was also a mail route north and south between Hartford, Conn. and Brattleboro. Vt. Mail matter for surrounding towns was left at the Amherst office for distribution. The postage on letters weighing one-half ounce was, to Belchertown 6c., to Boston 12 1-20., to New York 18 3-4c., to Washington 25c. H. W. Strong continued to serve as postmaster until 1842. There
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POST
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SIGN OF FIRST POST OFFICE AT SOUTH AMHERST.
BOLTWOOD'S TAVERN SIGN.
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AMHERST POSTMASTERS.
was some complaint in regard to the manner in which he conducted the office. It was claimed that he allowed persons to sit in the office and read papers that came through the mails directed to other parties, and that the papers were not always returned to the boxes where they belonged. Samuel C. Carter was appointed postmaster, March 30, 1842. He removed the office to the old Amherst bank building, that occupied the site of the present Savings bank block. Mr. Carter was succeeded by Seth Nims, who was appointed to the office May 9, 1845. Mr. Nims removed the office to Phoenix Row, in the block now occupied by E. D. Marsh. On Mr. Carter's appointment in 1849, the office was again removed to the Amherst bank building, where it remained until 1864. The building was a two-story one, and the post-office occupied the north side of the lower story, with S .. C. Carter's shoe-store on the south side and I. F. Conkey's law-office in the second story. In 1864, the Kelloggs who owned the property desired to make a three-story building of it and the tenants vacated it. The floors not being properly supported, the walls fell, June 29. 1865, and Dwight H. Kellogg erected on the site a three-story building which was burned in 1879. Since 1845, the postmasters at the center office in Amherst with the date of their commissions have been as follows : Samuel C. Carter, May 29, 1849 ; Seth Nims, June 3, 1853 ; Lucius M. Boltwood, June 17, 1861 ; Jairus L. Skinner, July 7, 1865 ; John Jameson, Dec. 20, 1876 ; Orson G. Couch, March 30, 1885 ; Byron H. Williams, Aug. 9. 1889 ; Orson G. Couch, March 20, 1894.
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At Amherst, as in nearly all large towns and cities, the appointment of postmasters and their retention in office has depended largely upon their political faith. For a half-century, at least, the victors have been awarded the spoils and changes in national administrations have been signalized by changes in the management of the local office. From the results of this pernicious system Amherst has, perhaps, suffered as little as any town in the county. The postmasters, as a rule, have been efficient, faithful, and attentive to the interests of their patrons. Since the establishment of Amherst College, and, later on, of the Agricultural College, and the stations for agricultural experiment, there has been a rapid increase in the business of the office, until at the present time it is far in excess of that conducted in most towns of equal size and population with Amherst. A system of free mail delivery was inaugurated April 1, 1896. July 1, the office was moved into new and commodious quarters in Williams' block. With two railways running through the town, the mail facilities are «Acellent.
A post-office was established at North Amherst in 1834. The list of postmasters with dates of their appointment is as follows : Samuel Davis, May 8, 1834; Horace Cutler, Aug. 9, 1837 ; William H. Robinson, Feb.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST. MASS.
4, 1858 ; Horace Cutler, Sept. 5, 1861 ; Charles H. Hobart, April 8, 1869. Forester P. Ainsworth. Aug. 31, 1869. The post-office at South Amhers: was established in 1841. The postmasters who have served there and the dates of their appointment are as follows : Hiram H. Allen, July 3.0, 1841 : Waitstill Dickinson, June 7, 1844; Charles F. Hayward, Dec. 20, 1849 : Daniel Paine, July 17, 1856; Sylvanus M. Wright, April 3, 1857 ; Thomas Reed, Jan. 29, 1863 ; Waitstill Dickinson, April 7, 1865 ; Charles A. Shaw. March 7, 1881.
COURTS AND COURT OFFICERS.
The judicial system of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, at the time of the settlement of Hampshire county and thence down to the period of the war of the Revolution, comprised a superior court of judicature with original and appellate jurisdiction throughout the province, which held sessions in the several counties and resembled in many of its features the superior judicial court of to-day ; a court for each county called the supe- rior court of common pleas, consisting of four justices, which had cogniz- ance of all actions triable at common law, and a court of sessions for each county, comprising all its justices of the peace, which had a limited criminal jurisdiction and managed the prudential affairs of the county. The justices of the peace had a separate jurisdiction in minor matters, both civil and criminal, and from their judgment appeal could be taken to the ·court of common pleas and court of sessions. There was also a probate court. At the close of the war of the Revolution, the courts of the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts were established by act of the General Court. passed July 3, 1782. There were a supreme judicial court, a court of common pleas,-and a court of general sessions of the peace. The supreme court consisted of one chief and four associate justices. It had jurisdic- tion in both civil and criminal cases and appellate jurisdiction in nearly all probate matters. The court of common pleas, established for each county. had powers equivalent to those exercised by the provincial courts of the same name. This was succeeded, in 1811, by a circuit court of common pleas, the act by which this was established dividing the state into six circuits. The circuit court was abolished in 1821, and a court of common pleas throughout the state established. The court of general sessions of the peace for each county was held by justices of the peace therein, and determined matters relating to the conservation of the peace and the punishment of offences cognizable by them at common law.
Probate courts were established by an act passed by the General Court in 1784. From that time up to 1858, the officers of the probate court were a judge and a register of probate. In 1858, the court of insolvency was placed under the jurisdiction of these officers, who were henceforth known
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EDWARD DICKINSON.
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COURTS AND JUSTICES.
as judges and registers of probate and insolvency. In IS58, an act was passed giving certain powers in criminal cases to justices of the peace, who were entitled trial justices. These were appointed by the governor and held office three years. The following men have been appointed as trial justices for the town of Amherst : James W. Boyden in IS58, Albion P. Howe in 1859, Oliver Pease in 1865, Edward A. Thomas in 1874. The jurisdiction of trial justices in Hampshire county was terminated by an act of the General Court approved May 16, 1882, which formed the towns of Hampshire county into a district court. William P. Strickland of Northampton was appointed justice, with A. J. Fargo of Easthampton and R. W. Lyman of Belchertown special justices. Sessions of this court are held at Northampton, Amherst and Ware, the sessions at. Amherst being held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month: Sessions of the probate court for Hampshire county are held at Amherst on the second Tuesday of January, March, June, August and November.
Probably the most distinguished jurist who has ever made his home in Amherst was Simeon Strong. Appointed a justice of the peace in 1768, he gave up his commission at the outbreak of the war of the Revolution. In ISoo, he was appointed one of the justices of the Massachusetts supreme court, holding that office until his death in 1805. In an address delivered by George Bliss in IS26, before the bar of the counties of Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden, Judge Strong is thus described: . He was quite a metaphysician and always fond of theology. From 17So to 1800 his practice was extensive. He was very modest and unassuming in his whole deportment, and always on all occasions treated the court before whom he appeared with great deference and respect. He treated his antagonists with perfect fairness. He was eminently skilled in the science of special pleading. He was nearly a third of a century at the bar. Solomon Strong, son of Judge Simeon, was appointed, in 1818, judge of the circuit court of common pleas, and in July, 1821, judge of the court of common pleas, retaining the latter office until September, 1842, when he resigned. In 1834, Ithamar Conkey was appointed judge of probate for Hampshire county, an office which he held until 1858. Other prominent members of the bar who have made their home in Amherst were the Dick- insons, Samuel Fowler, Edward and William Austin, Simeon Strong, Jr., Noah Dickinson Mattoon, Lucius Boltwood, Osmyn Baker, Charles Delano and Ithamar F. Conkey. In ISog, probate courts were held in Amherst three times a year at such times and places as the judge of probate should appoint. In 1817 and for several years thereafter these courts were held at house of S. D. Ward, innkeeper, the third Tuesday in April, June and October. In IS28, the sessions of probate court in Amherst was held at the house of John Baggs in the east part of the town. Other court
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
sessions have been held at the town lock-up, in Hunt's block and in the district court-room in the town hall building.
From the records at the state-house in Boston the following names of Amherst men who have served as justices of the peace were transcribed. The date of first appointment is given, many of them having been reappointed for several terms.
Moses Dickinson, Aug. 20, 1775 Nathaniel Dickinson, Sept. 20, 1781 Ebenezer Mattoon, Jr .. March 28, 1782 Ebenezer Boltwood, March 18, 1786 Daniel Cooley, Oct. 14, 1789 Simeon Strong, Dec. 2, 1789 Zebina Montague, Feb. 13, 1797 Samuel F. Dickinson, Feb. S, 1803 Jarib White, March 2, 1805 Medad Dickinson, June 16, 1809 Ichabod Draper, Feb. 14. 1810 Hezekiah W. Strong, Feb. 5, ISII John Dickinson, June 4, ISII Gideon Stetson, May 15, 1812 Noah Webster, Feb. 1, IS14 John Strong, July 2, IS14 Noah D. Mattoon, July 2, IS14 Levi Collins, Aug. 31, 1815 Rufus Graves, June 10, IS17 Ithamar Conkey, May 11, IS19 Timothy J. Gridley, May 11, IS19 Jonathan Eastman, Aug. 26, 1823 Zebina Dickinson, Feb. 17. 1824 Lucius Boltwood, Feb. 22, 1825 Isaac Robbins, Feb. 22, 1825 Asahel Thayer, Feb. 22, 1825 Chester Dickinson, Oct. 16, IS27 Enos Dickinson, Oct. 16, IS27 Osmyn Baker, Jan. 6, 1830 Elijah Boltwood, Feb. 3, 1831 Edward Dickinson, Feb. 3. IS31 Daniel Dickinson. Feb. 26, 1833 John Leland, March 9, 1833 Luther Root, Feb. 18, 1835 Samuel Ware, Sept. 23, IS35 David Mack, Jan. 22, 1836 James Kellogg, Feb. IS, 1839 Leonard M. Hills, Dec. 17, 1842 Simeon Dickinson, Feb. 3, 1844 Charles Delano, March S, 1844 Luke Sweetser, March 1, 1845 Baxter Eastman, Dec. 22, 1846
Joseph Dickinson, Jan. S, 1853 Willard M. Kellogg, Jan. S, IS53 Baxter Eastman, Dec. 6, 1853 Henry A. Marsh, Feb. 16, 1854 Daniel Paine, July 7, 1854 Albin P. Howe, March 9, 1855 Newton Fitch, March 24, 1855 Benjamin F. Smith, May 23, 1855
John M. Emerson, Sept. 3, 1855 Henry B. Prince, March 14, 1856 Jared T. Westcott, March 14, 1856 Ezra Ingram, May 15, 1856 W. A. Dickinson, Jan. 23, 1857 M. N. Spear, May 29, IS57 F. A. Palmer, March 21, 1860 Abner G. Mossman, March 21, 1860 J. O. Peck, Jan. 5, 1861 Seth Fish, March 20, 1861
Aaron E. Warner, Dec. 24, 1861 John E. Cushman, Oct. 21, 1862 Hiram C. Howard, Dec. 16, 1864 Oliver Pease, May 5, 1865 Geo. Cutler, Jan. 23, 1867 Marshall B. Cushman, Oct. 31, 1867 William S. Clark, Nov. 2, 1867 Horace Cutler, May 6, ISGS Edward P. Cushman, May 13. 1868 Levi Stockbridge, April 1, 1860 D. B. N. Fish, Feb. 23, IS71 . Forester P. Ainsworth, March 15, 1871 Edward A. Thomas, Feb. 3, 1874 Edward E. Webster, Sept. 9, 1875 John Jameson, Oct. 7, 1875 Edward Conkey, May 6, 1876 John C. Dillon, April 10, 1877 James I. Cooper, Dec. S, 1877 Foster R. Clement, Nov. 28, 1879 Frank E. Paige, April 6, ISSo Wolcott Hamlin, April 20, ISSO J. F. Morell, July 19. 1882
C. B. Marvin, Jr., March 22, ISS3 E. D. Bangs, April 18, IS83
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FREDERICK A.PALMER. DEP. SHERIFF 1338-1874.
GEO. B. GALLOND DEP. SHERIFF.
W. W. SMITH.
DEP .. SHERIFF!
LANDLORD ELIJAH BOLTWOOD.
S. K. EASTMAN.
ALFRED
BAKER
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I MIN
ELEAZAR GAYLORD. SODIO PROTO L'
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NEWSPAPERS AND PRINTING.
Ithamar F. Conkey, Feb. 3, 1847
James W. Boyden, June 1, 1848 Simeon Clark, March 29, 1849
H. C. Nash, Jr., May 7, 1883 George W. Sanderson, April 2, ISS4
Flavel Gaylord, April 9, 1884
Dwight W. Palmer, June 19, 1885
H. M. McCloud, July 6, 1886
Elbridge G. Bowdoin, June 20, 1849 Horace Smith, Sept. 16, 1851 Hiram H. Allen, Sept. 16, 1851 Ferdinand Robinson, Sept. 16. 1851 F. A. Hobbs, Dec. 3, 1890
James E. Merrick, April 10, 1889
Jonas H. Winter, Sept. 30, 1851
John R. Cushman, Dec. 2, 1851
Levi Nutting, Dec. 28, 1852 Bela U. Dickinson, Jan. 8, 1853
WV. A. Hunt, April 1, 1891
Oramel S. Senter, Feb. 23, IS94
B. H. Williams, May 17. 1894 W. J. Reilley, Oct. 3, 1895
Amherst has furnished but one high sheriff for the county of Hamp- shire, Ebenezer Mattoon, appointed in 1796, who continued in office for nearly twenty years. There are no existing records from which can be compiled a list of deputy sheriffs appointed for Amherst. A careful investigation of papers on file at the court-house in Northampton would seem to show that one of the first, if not the first, Amherst deputy to be appointed was Zebina Dickinson, who first took the oath of office June 2, 1806. He continued to serve until after the year 1824, having as an associate during the latter part of his term of office Chester Dickinson. From 1824 to 1838, there is no record of an Amherst appointment to this office. Frederick A. Palmer was appointed deputy sheriff, Sept. 6, 1838, continuing in office until his death in IS74. Seth Nims was appointed a deputy in 1851. In 1845, Henry Frink was appointed a deputy, to serve five years. On the death of Mr. Palmer, George B. Gallond was appointed deputy sheriff and served until his death in ISSS. Mr. Gallond was succeeded by William W. Smith, who died in office, Nov. 26, 1893. The present incumbent of the office is David H. Tillson.
CHAPTER XL.
NEWSPAPERS AND PRINTING .- THE FIRST PRINTING PRESS .- J. S. & C. ADAMS .- NEW ENGLAND INQUIRER .- HAMPSHIRE AND FRANK- LIN EXPRESS .- LOCAL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENTS .- HAMP- SHIRE EXPRESS .- THE AMHERST RECORD .- OTHER NEWSPAPER VENTURES .- MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS.
The printing business was first established in Amherst in 1825. In August of that year, the first printing-press was brought to town by Samuel (. Carter and John S. Adams. It was known as a " Ramage " press, 22
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
manufactured in Philadelphia and considered at that time one of the best in use. Few of the townspeople had up to that time seen a printing-press: it was to them so interesting and curious an object they crowded the office from morning to night for several weeks after it was put in that they might see it in operation. Associated with S. C. Carter and J. S. Adams in the printing business was Charles Adams, brother to John S. Of Samue! C. Carter, a brief biographical sketch will be given in a later chapter in this volume.
John S. Adams was born in Middleton, May 24, 1803. He entered. at an early age, the printing office of Flagg & Gould at Andover, where he worked six years, five as an apprentice and the sixth as. foreman of the office. While at this office he was engaged a large part of his time on Greek, Hebrew and Arabic works. He came to Amherst in 1825, where for more than a half century he was prominent in public affairs. Public spirited in the best sense of the word, he was ever willing to devote time. labor and money to any project that made for the public good. An early advocate of railway construction, on the organization of the Amherst and Belchertown railway company he was appointed clerk and treasurer. a position which he held for ten years. For many years he was clerk and treasurer of the First Congregational church, and served the town in a similar capacity for one year. He died at his home in Amherst. Sept. 2S. 1877. He built and resided in the house now occupied by Mrs. W. D. Herrick's home school.
Charles Adams was born in Middleton, May, 3, 1805. Coming to Amherst in 1825, he engaged in business with his brother John S. Adams and S. C. Carter, the firm of J. S. & C. Adams, organized in the '205. continuing in existence until 1871. The business of printing and publish- ing was first conducted in a building situated on the site now occupied by the Amherst house " Annex." Mr. Adams was a man of affairs, highly esteemed in the community. He served the public in many offices of trust and honor. He served the town for one year as representative to the General Court, and also as selectman and assessor ; he held the office of county commissioner for one term ; he was for several years a member of the committee of the First Congregational parish and also parish assessor. He was the first president of the Amherst Savings bank, being elected in 1864 and holding office until his resignation in 1870. He resided for many years in the " Cooper house " adjoining Palmer's block, which was destroyed by fire in March, ISSS. He afterwards built and resided in the house on Lincoln avenue now owned by Charles M. Osgood. While in partnership with his brother, they built a brick block on " Merchants' Row." which they rented but never occupied. Mr. Adams died at his home in Amherst, July 14, 1888.
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