USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Amherst > The history of the town of Amherst, Massachusetts, pt 1 > Part 44
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
At the annual town meeting held March 7, 1881, $1oo was appropriated to purchase a hose-cart and Stoo for hose, to be used at East Amherst. Hose Co. No. 2 was organized at a meeting held in the school-house
-
.366
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
at East Amherst, July 1, 1881. H. B. Lovett was elected foreman and G. E. Thayer clerk. The foreman was authorized to appoint subordinate officers. At a meeting held April 13, 1883, a committee was appointed to draw up by-laws, which were adopted May 4. Meetings were to be held the first Tuesday evening of each month. Fines for absence were to be as follows : At the first roll-call at a regular meeting, 15 cents ; at second roll-call, 10 cents ; at a fire, 50 cents. At the end of the year the fines were to be divided among the members of the company. At a meeting held May 6, 1885, it was voted to increase the fine for absence at a regular meeting to 50 cents, for absence at a fire to $1. New by-laws were adopted Oct. 7, 1890. The company has quarters in a building on Main street at East Amherst owned by C. O. Parmenter.
In April, 1879, the Lafayette Hook and Ladder company was revived as an independent organization. The old company donated all its furni- ture and other property to its successor. Officers were elected as follows : Foreman, O. F. Morse ; assistant-foreman, Harvey White; clerk, G. M. Chamberlain ; commissary. C. F. Bennett. The town at a special meeting held Dec. 20, 1883, voted to sustain a hook and ladder company, and the board of fire engineers organized. Jan. 1, 1884, a new company of 12 men. bearing the old name of Lafayette. This company elected the following officers at a meeting held Jan. 7 : Foreman, George Graves : assistants. W. H. H. Morgan and G. M. Chamberlain ; clerk and treasurer, G. M. Chamberlain ; commissary, W. H. H. Morgan. The company occupies quarters in the engine-house. Members absent from fires are fined $1. from regular meetings 50 cents.
At a meeting of the board of engineers held May 5, 1884, it was voted that the pay of hoseman and hook and ladder men be $12 per annum. In 1887, two Babcock fire extinguishers were purchased for the use of the department and placed, one at North Amherst, the other at the " City." In 1888, a new bell was purchased and placed in the tower of the engine-house ; a fire chute, jumping canvas and line gun were pur- chased the same year in accordance with the provisions of state law. In 1890, 700 feet of new hose was added to the equipment of the department : in 1892, a supply wagon was purchased. In 1893, the hook and ladder truck and hose-cart at the center, were fitted up so that they can be drawn by horses, and arrangements were made with T. L. Paige to furnish horses when an alarm of fire is given. In 1894, a new alarm-bell with electric striking apparatus was placed in the tower of the town hall at a cost of $291. In 1895, an electric fire alarm system was put in. In the spring of 1896, the engine-house was remodeled and enlarged, accommodation- being provided for such of the members of the department as were willing to sleep in the building. In 1878, E. A. Thomas was succeeded as chict
367
DISASTROUS FIRES.
engineer by Henry Holland ; the latter held office until 1883, when he was succeeded by Lewis J. Spear. W. H. H. Morgan was elected chief in 1837. serving until 1892, when he was succeeded by G. M. Chamberlain. John Mullen was elected chief in 1893 and served until 1895, when he was succeeded by H. D. Holland. The department was never so well equipped or capable of doing such efficient service as at the present time.
The history of the Amherst fire department would be incomplete without some record of the many disastrous fires that have visited the town. As a complete record would occupy too much space, mention is made of those only which caused large property losses.
The first great fire in Amherst occurred in February, 1838. The following brief report concerning it is quoted from the Northampton Courier :
"It started in an unoccupied room in the basement story of the large brick building opposite the Amherst house, under the druggist shop, and it is presumed from an uncovered flue of the chimney ; and when discovered the east end of the building was in flames. It spread rapidly until it consumed the large brick block. the store occupied by Mr. S. Holland (Merchant) and owned by Mr. A. Dickinson. -- and also the Hotel owned and occupied by Mr. A. Dickinson. This house was formerly the Mansion House of Noah Webster. The house and store and barn north of the brick block were also burnt, the house being occupied by Mr. S Simonds."
The total loss was from $20,000 to $25,000, the insurance about $10,000. Among the parties who suffered loss were the First parish, the female seminary and J. S. & C. Adams. the latter losing, besides type and presses, a part of the edition of three published works.
In 1842, the first cotton mill built at "Factory Hollow," owned at the time by Elnathan Jones, was burned.
In 1847, Peter Ingram's woolen mill was burned at the "City," involving a loss of $6,000, partially insured.
In 1854, the Wheelock mill at North Amherst was burned; loss $12.000, no insurance.
March 26, 1855, the Westville woolen mill was burned ; loss $8.600, insurance $5,150.
In the winter of 1857 the North dormitory at Amherst College was burned to the ground, causing a loss of $10,000.
Jones' factory at North Amherst was burned in 1857 ; loss $13,000, insurance $7,000.
In 1858, W. H. Smith's paper-mill at Westville was burned.
Aug. 10, 1869, what was known as " Burnham's mills," owned by F. B. Fitts and located at East Amherst, were burned. The fire caught from a smokestack. The loss was $15,000, the insurance $7,500.
-
368
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
May 7, 1872, a disastrous fire occurred among the buildings in the rear of Phoenix Row. It started in the barn owned by E. F. Cook, and was probably set by an incendiary. The buildings destroyed included Cook's barn, W. E. Stebbins' barn, G. A. Thomas' paint-shop, Emerson Russell's carriage-shop, Dr. H. J. Cate's house and barn, and Mrs. Kellogg's house. The loss was estimated at $25,000. Amherst college students rendered valuable assistance in saving property. The firemen had not hose enough to reach the reservoirs on the common, and having pumped dry all the wells in the vicinity were compelled to let the flames have their way.
July 4, 1879, the buildings on Merchants' Row were burned to the ground. The fire started in a shed in the rear of George Cutter's store ...... It communicated quickly to the barns of Stebbins' livery stable, and thence . to the Amherst house. These buildings were all burned, together with the Savings bank block, Charles Adams' block and the stores of O. G. Couch, J. H. Starbuck, Edwin Nelson, George Cutler and B. F. Kendrick. The origin of the fire was unknown. The loss was between SSo,ooo and $90,000, largely covered by insurance.
July 10, 1873, Cushman Bros.' paper-mill at North Amherst was burned. The fire started in a pile of paper stock. The loss on the build= ing was estimated at $32,000, insurance $20,000. A large quantity of stock, on which there was no insurance, was burned.
April 23, ISSO, a fire started in The Hill's Co's. hat factory, which quickly communicated with the factory of H. D. Fearing & Co. The buildings were totally destroyed. The fire started in a pile of waste, from some cause unknown. The loss was estimated at over $100,000, partially covered by insurance.
March 29, 1SS2, the Walker hall building owned by Amherst College was burned. The loss was estimated at more than $175.000. and included the Shepard mineralogical cabinet. The cause was unknown.
Nov. 27, 1883, the buildings on Cash Row were burned. The fire caught in the block occupied by J. J. Young and was probably the work of an incendiary. Young's block, S. W. Dickinson's block and R. T. Dick-" .. inson's building were burned, and Cook's block considerably damaged. The loss was estimated at $40,000.
April 4, 1881, fire started in the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity's rooms in the upper part of Cook's block. The loss was estimated at $20,000, a considerable part being caused by water.
Feb. 4, ISS5, the South dormitory of the Agricultural College was ... burned. The fire was caused by the explosion of a lamp. The loss was $35,000.
March 13, 1883, Palmer's block, and the " Cooper house " were burned and Union block badly damaged. This fire occurred at an early
--
-
-
MERCHANTS' ROW, BEFORE 1865.
I
00
....
-
1
1.
1
MERCHANTS' ROW, BURNED IN 1879.
-
THE MILITIA LAW.
369
hour Tuesday morning of the memorable " blizzard " week. Its cause has never been discovered. The loss was estimated at over $60,000, and included the law library and many documents of great historic value belonging to W. A. Dickinson.
Sept. 11, 1891, the buildings on Mount Pleasant erected by Col. W. S. Clark and owned and occupied at the time by Dr. W. F. Bullman were burned. The cause of the fire is unknown, but it was generally believed to have been the work of an incendiary. The loss was estimated at $22,000.
CHAPTER. XLIII.
AMHERST MILITIA .- THE NORTH AND SOUTH COMPANIES .- MILITIA IN THE WAR OF 1812 .-- THE HAMPSHIRE RANGERS .- THE CAV- . ALRY COMPANY .- AMHERST ARTILLERY COMPANY .- COMPANY C .- COMPANY K.
The founders of our national government realized that, if the country would enjoy the blessings of freedom, it must be prepared at all times to defend itself against foreign aggression. The war of the Revolution had proved that the American people are willing to fight for the privileges of independent government : it also impressed upon their minds the necessity of military discipline. The country was in no condition to maintain a large standing army, nor was it considered necessary or desirable so to do. The United States militia law was approved May 8, 1792 ; its first section reads as follows :
" Be it enacted, etc .- That each and every free, able bodied white male Citizen, of the age of eighteen years and under the age of forty-five years (except those who are exempted by law) shall be enrolled in the Militia, by the Captain or Com- manding Officer of the Company, within whose bounds such citizen shall reside," -" and it shall be at all times the duty of the Commanding Officer of every such Company, to enrol every such citizen, and also, those who from time to time arrive at the age of eighteen years, or being of the age of eighteen years, and under the age of forty-five years, (and not exempted) shall come to reside within his bounds."
The Massachusetts militia law supplemented the national law by providing that every commanding officer of a company should parade his company on the first Tuesday of May annually, at one o'clock in the
24
370
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
afternoon, for the purpose of inspecting, examining and taking an exact account of all the equipments of his men and for noting all delinquencies of appearance and deficiencies of equipment and for correcting his company roll.
In accordance with the provisions of the national law, the able bodied white male citizens of Amherst, between the ages of eighteen and forty- five years, were duly enrolled in the militia. The town was divided into two military departments, Main street and Amity street forming the arbitrary division-line. Citizens living to the north of this line, liable to military duty, were enrolled in the North company, those living to the south, in the South company. The precise date of organization of these companies is not a matter of record ; it was probably very soon after the passage of the national law. In 1796, Ebenezer Mattoon, Jr. was commissioned as major- general of the Fourth division of Massachusetts state militia, comprising the companies in the Western counties. The names of the commanding officers of the companies, first appointed, cannot be stated with certainty. The following letter of Gen. Mattoon, addressed to Capt. Aaron Billings. under date of Oct. 10, 1801, would indicate that the latter person was at that time captain of the South company :
" Amherst October 10th ISOI To Capt. AARON BILLINGS-Sir :
In answer to the question you asked me yesterday-whether it is your duty to command the South Company in this Town on Monday next ?- I have given the question due consideration-and am clearly of Opinion that you are a Constitu- tional Officer, that you are obliged to obey the Orders of your Superior Officers- and upon neglect, would be liable to an arrest, and that the Company. and all Non-Commission, and Commission Officers. as well as soldiers are in duty bound to obey your orders-I presume the good Sense of the Company, their attachment to Discipline, will prompt them to conduct with that propriety they usually do. You will therefore proceed in your duty-and the Company is to consider themselves under your Command, and obey you accordingly. I am St your, and the Company's friend-and shall always continue so, while they continue to merit it --
E. MATTOON Major Gen'l 4th Division."
The North and South companies were attached to the 3d regiment of the ist brigade, 4th division. The records of the North company, if in existence, are unobtainable, but valuable papers relating to the South company are in possession of William F. Williams of Amherst, grandson of Chester Williams, who commanded the company several years. From these papers much of the information here given was obtained. Sept. 10. 1798, Chester Williams was appointed 3d sergeant of the South company. the appointment being signed by Elijah Dickinson, lieutenant-colonel com- manding the 3d regiment. June 24. 1802, he received the following commission as lieutenant, signed by Caleb Strong as governor :
37 1
THE SOUTH COMPANY.
" By His Excellency CALEB STRONG, Esq.,
Governor and Commander in Chief of the Commonwealth of Masssachusetts To CHESTER WILLIAMS, Gentleman, Greeting :
You being appointed Lieutenant of a Company in the third Regiment of Infantry in the first Brigade, fourth Division of the Militia of this Commonwealth. Reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Ability, Courage and good Conduct. I Do, by these Presents, Commission you accordingly. You are, therefore, Care. fully and Diligently to Discharge the Duties of said Office. according to the Laws of this Commonwealth, and to Military Rule and Discipline. And all inferior Officers and Soldiers are hereby commanded to obey you in your said Capacity; and you are yourself to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions as you shall, from time to time, receive from me or others, your superior Officers.
Given under my Hand and Seal of the said Commonwealth, the twenty-fourth Day of June, in the Year of our Lord, 1802-and in the twenty-fifth Year of the Independence of the United States of America.
JOHN AVERY, Sec'y.
CALEB STRONG."
In 1810, Aaron Billings was captain of the company and Elijah Hastings clerk. In ISII, Moses Hastings, son of Thomas, was major and commanding officer of the 3d regiment, with headquarters at Amherst. Aug. 20, 1811, a meeting of the officers of the regiment was held at Land- lord Ward's tavern in Amherst, to choose a lieutenant-colonel commandant, in place of Lieut .- Col. Powers, resigned. Roswell Dickinson was com- missioned captain of the North company June 2, 1809 : he was promoted to be major of the Third regiment, Aug. 31, 1812, and was honorably discharged, Jan. 5, 1815. May 7, 1811, Chester Williams was commissioned captain of the South company, the commission being signed by Elbridge Gerry as governor ; he served as captain until 1815, when at his request he was honorably discharged. When meetings of the company were held for parade or inspection, the commanding officer issued a warrant to some one of his subordinates, requiring him to notify the company members to be in attendance at the time and place appointed. The following company warrant is copied from the original issued by Capt. Williams, addressed to Corp'l Lucius Hastings :
"You are hereby directed to notify and warn all the non-commissioned officers and soldiers belonging to the company under my command to appear at the parade near Cap. Jonathan Dickinson's on Tuesday the third day of May next at one o'clock in the afternoon, with arms and equipments. as the law directs, for military duty."
Regimental orders dated at Sunderland, Sept. 17, IS11, signed by Melzar Hunt, lieut .- col. commandant, announced that the companies com- prising the 3d regiment of the ist brigade would meet Oct. 11, at the usual place of parade, south of the West parish meeting-house in Amherst, for review, inspection and discipline. The companies were to be on the
-
372
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
ground as early as 9 A. M., armed and equipped agreeably to law, each non-commissioned officer and private to be furnished with at least one-fourth . pound of powder made up into sporting cartridges.
The year 1812 witnessed stirring times in military circles in Massa- chusetts. While Gov. Strong refused the president's requisition for Mass- achusetts troops to serve outside the state in the war with Great Britain, he took prompt measures to prepare for the public defence. Division orders were issued by Gen. Mattoon, bearing date May 4, 1812. He had received orders from the commander-in-chief of the military forces of the Commonwealth, dated at Cambridge, April 25, directing him to detach from the 4th division 541 men, officers included, to hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment's warning. Brigade orders directed Lieut .- Col. Hunt to detach one captain, one lieutenant, one ensign, one surgeon and 53 rank and file, including four sergeants, four corporals, three drum- mers and fifers. Regimental orders directed Capt. Roswell Dickinson, commanding the North company, to consider himself detached and to detach four privates from his command. Capt .. Williams was ordered to detach one corporal, one fifer and four privates: these detachments were to be made before June 1. General Orders dated at headquarters, Boston, July 3, 1812, signed by William Donnison, adjutant-general, by order of the commander-in-chief, announced that war had been declared by the United States against Great Britain. The officers and privates of the various military organizations were enjoined to perfect themselves as thoroughly as possible in the military art, that they might be prepared to render pronipt and efficient service if called upon. General orders dated June 22 called for the detachment of 445 men, including officers, from the 4th division. Regimental orders instructed Capt. Dickinson to detach three privates and Capt. Williams four.
A meeting of the captains and subalterns of the companies in the 3d regiment was held at Elijah Boltwood's inn at Amherst, Aug. 31, 1812, to fill a vacancy in the office of major. At this meeting, Capt. Roswell Dick- inson was promoted to be major. Aug. 14, a notice signed by Roswell Dickinson, captain, detached, was addressed to Capt. Williams, notifying him, in accordance with general orders, to cause the men detached from his command to appear on the parade near the East parish meeting-house, Aug. 21, at 10 A. M., for the purpose of being inspected. The men must be equipped in every particular in accordance with the requirements of military law : the least deficiency would not be excused. Sept. 5, orders were issued for regimental inspection, on Oct. 15, " at the usual place of parade below the West parish meeting-house in Amherst." The captains were directed to have their companies on the grounds . between said Meeting House and the brook at the South end of the parade " by 9 A. M.,
373.
ORDERS TO MARCH TO BOSTON.
that line might be formed by 10. During the year 1813, the military situation in Massachusetts was unchanged ; there was no demand for the services of the militia to repel a foreign invasion. The annual regimental inspection was held in Amherst, Oct. 1. Aug. 22, 1814, regimental orders were issued signed by Col. Hunt. All the commissioned and non-com- missioned officers and the musicians of the 3d regiment were instructed to assemble Sept. S, at 9 A. M., at the house of Isaac Goodale, inn-holder, in Amherst. The officers were to appear with their arms and the musicians with their respective instruments. The meeting was preparatory to the approaching review. A paragraph at the end of the orders reads as follows : "Lt. Col. Hunt presents his compliments to Rev. Doct. Parsons and Rev. Mr. Perkins-to Maj-Gen. Mattoon and suite-to Lt. Col. Porter and his staff-to Majors Mattoon and Leonard and to Captains Stebbins of the Artillery and Field and Dickinson of the Cavalry, with their respective Subalterns, and requests them severally to honor the meeting by their personal attendance."
But graver matters than parades and inspections were soon to engage the attention of the citizen soldiery. A British naval expedition had landed on the coast of Maine near the Penobscot, occupying territory then within the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, and threatened to lay waste the coast from Maine to Georgia. Governor Strong realized that the time for action had arrived. General orders dated at headquarters, Boston, were issued Sept. 6, 1814. They stated that the war between the United States and Great Britain having become more destructive, in consequence of violations of Massachusetts territory by the forces of the enemy, the whole of the militia were to hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment's notice. The four companies detached from the 4th division were to march to Boston immediately. In addition to these, a detachment of sixteen companies was to be made at once from the 4th division, properly officered and arranged into two regiments, to march to Boston without delay. Maj. Gen. Mattoon was charged with the arrangement of these regiments. Division orders were issued Sept. 9 by Gen. Mattoon. Brigadier-General Bliss was to detach one regiment of infantry, to rendezvous at Palmer, and from there march to Boston. Regimental orders issued the same day instructed Capt. Williams to detach from his company one lieutenant, one drummer and 14 rank and file ; Capt. Dickinson was to detach one ensign, one sergeant and ir rank and file. These men were to rendezvous at Palmer the following Tuesday. The lieutenant detached from the South company was Enos Dickinson, who was commissioned May 22, 1811, and served until Jan. 30, 1817. The detachments were promptly made, as witness the following copy of notification :
1
374
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
" Amherst, Sept. 10, 1814.
To ADOLPHUS DICKINSON,
A soldier in the South Company in Amherst under command of the subscriber : Who hereby notifies you, that in pursuance of General Orders of the 6th inst., Division orders of the 9th inst., Brigade orders of the 9th inst. and Regimental orders of the 9th inst. that you are detached from his Company to serve in the Service of this Commonwealth for the term of three months from the time of rendezvous, unless sooner discharged. You will forthwith be equipped, as the Militia law of this Commonwealth provides & repair to Palmer on Tuesday the 13th inst. of the present month, where you will be under the command of L' Colo. Foote, who is detached as Commandant of the detachment from the first Brigade & fourth Division of Massachusetts Militia. Unless you report yourself to me within Twenty-four hours, or send me an able bodied Man completely equipped, the Militia Law must be put in force upon you.
CHESTER WILLIAMS, Capt."
There is no record of the names of the men detached at this time, or previously, who marched to Boston, and, having enjoyed a taste of city life, marched back again without having gained so much as a glimpse of a British red-coat. A muster roll of the South company, undated but bearing the name of Chester Williams as captain, contains the names of 66 privates and the following officers : Lieutenant, Enos Dickinson ; ensign, Samuel Smith ; sergeants and musicians, Elisha Hastings, Seth Smith, Ebenezer Williams, George Nutting, Elijah Clark, William Rice. From this roll it would appear that the general equipment required for each man included a musket, bayonet, cartridge-box, iron rod, scabbard and belt, two flints, wires and brushes, knapsack, 24 cartridges with balls. Some of the members of the company had " rifle-guns." Most of the guns in use were the old-fashioned flint-locks ; some of the flints used were imported and sold at the stores, others were of home manufacture. Oliver Clapp had for many years a large flint-rock in the yard in front of his tavern at East Amherst, and it is said that from this rock the men in Daniel Shays' command secured their flints. Each member of a company furnished his own arms and equipment, paying for them himself. They received no pay for their services. To them the modern luxuries of armories and drill- halls were unknown. They were obliged to do military duty three days each year, one day in May and two days in the fall. During the period of the war with Great Britain, the authorities insisted on three full days' service, instead of half-days as was frequently the custom.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.