USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Springfield > History of the town of Springfield, Vermont : with a genealogical record > Part 42
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" No, mother, I'll go now ; " and getting on the horse behind the farmer. the plucky little fellow, with neither hat nor shoes, left his mother and his home, to which he never afterward returned 'except for the briefest visits. The posi- tion of a bound-out boy in those days was seldom a sinecure, but the young Ephraim seems to have been fortunate above the average. The work was hard, and discipline severe, yet tempered by justice and humanity.
Under this strict regimen the boy developed into a vigorous young man, "standing six feet in his stockings," and possessing great strength and endur- ance.
On attaining his majority, the farmerto whom he had been bound expressed his entire satisfaction with the way the young man had performed his work, gave him one hundred dollars in money, and urged him to remain in his employ.
This he did for nearly seven years. At the end of this time his frugal sav- ings had accumulated sufficiently to justify his making a home of his own.
With little money, but with much strength and courage, what so natural as to desire the life of a pioneer? Several families from Chelmsford and vicinity (among them the Abbotts and Herricks) had already gone to Vermont ; and in the spring of 1800, Ephraim Walker tied his small bundle of " personal effects " to the yoke of his steers, and cheerfully walked to Springfield, Vt., a distance of about one hundred miles.
He soon purchased a small tract of land just west of that owned by Jeremiah Abbott, and began his clearing. This purchase included the highest elevation of land found in the southern part of the town, for a long time known in the neighborhood as "The West Hill " and later called Mt. Ephraim. This hill was the first spot to be cleared and sown to wheat. Just how its precipitous and rocky sides were ploughed and harrowed, how the seed was kept in place until it could germinate, and how the matured grain was gathered and garnered, are problems that would puzzle the young prairie farmer of to-day.
At the eastern foot of this hill he built the first framed house in this part of the town.
Hither, in the spring of 1801, Mr. Walker brought his young wife, Martha Manning, b. Oct. 21, 1776, daughter of a well-to-do hotel-keeper of Chelms- ford, Mass. They were m. June 4, 1801.
Here for nearly fifty years Mr. Walker lived and labored, "nor changed, nor wished to change, his place." A man of strict integrity, he commanded the respect of his townsmen.
He was conservative, even to the extent of looking with suspicion upon all new methods and machines, lest they should prove makeshifts for the idle and thriftless. One of his sons once said of him, "Father has never done a thing easily, if there was a hard way to do it."
Five children were born to Ephraim and Martha (Manning) Walker, all of
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OF SPRINGFIELD, VT.
whom lived to be men and women ; aud the first break in the family circle was the death of the wife and mother, May 13, 1835.
Fourteen years later occurred the death of his youngest daughter, and then the old home was broken up, and Mr. Walker weut to live with his oldest sou, Ephraim Walker, Jr., whose home was half a mile eastward.
Here he died July 21, 1864, at the great age of ninety-two years. Ch .:
I. Ephraim, b. May 19, 1802; m. Ruth Whitney, May 1, 1828; d. Feb. 28,1866.
II. Elmira, b. Sept. 24, 1804; d. July 27, 1844.
III. Benjamin M., b. April 26, 1809; m. Abigail Haskins, April 14, 1831; d. March 28, 1871.
IV. Martha M., b. May 12, 1813; m. Adna Newton, Feb. 23, 1836 ; d. Dec. 20, 1846.
V. Mary, b. Aug. 25, 1818; d. July 6, 1849.
All these were born and died in Springfield, Vt.
EPHRAIM WALKER, JR., son of Ephraim and Martha (Mauning) Walker, was b. in Springfield, May 19, 1802, and d. near the place of his birth, Feb. 28, 1866.
He received such educatiou as the common schools of his time afforded, and afterward supplemented this by a short attendance at the academy in Chester, and by study with Rev. Uriah Burnap of Chester. It is probable, too, that he received help in his home study from Mr. Samuel Hemenway, who did so much to eucourage learning among the young meu of his day. Que of the distinguishing marks of Mr. Hemeuway's pupils was an ability to calculate eclipses, and it is still remembered that Mr. Walker and some of his friends of similar tastes used to make these calculations iu pleasant rivalry.
Mr. Walker began teaching at au early age, and continued it long after his contemporaries had ceased. He taught one year continuously in New York, but most of his work was done in a few districts in his native town, teaching in winter and working his farm in summer. So acceptable was his work that he would return to the same school for two, four, and in oue instauce seven consecutive winters. His methods of teaching were thorough, his government never perceptible except iu its results. For fourteen years, from 1846 to 1860, he was superintendent of schools in this towu. His visits in his semi-aunual round were welcome to both teachers and pupils.
Beside teaching and farming he was often called on as a surveyer in measur- ing land, running lines, and laying out roads.
He represented the town in the General Assembly iu 1849 and 1850.
Mr. Walker was twice married; May 1, 1828, to Ruth, daughter of Cyrus and Ruth (Mayo) Whitney, by whom he had two children who lived to adult life : Jane, wife of Dr. J. W. Knight of Walpole, N. H., and Agnes Ruth, widow of Dr. G. M. Brigham. Mrs. Walker d. Dec. 16, 1845, and in October, 1847, he m. Mary J. Clarke, who survived him. As a husband and father his kind- ness and tender thoughtfulness were proverbial. As a citizen his amiability and unfailing courtesy won and kept a multitude of friends. His most last- ing work was doue in our schools, but his best monument was in the hearts of his neighbors.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD, VT.
GEORGE F. WALKER, son of Samuel O. and Elizabeth (Lewis) Walker, was b. Sept. 2, 1852; m. Dec. 30, 1875, Lizzie Walker, daughter of James L. and Martha (Woodcock) Walker. Ch. :
I. Frank S., b. July 22, 1877.
II. Bessie, b. Nov. 28, 1881.
III. Eva A., b. June 9, 1883.
IV. Beulah M., b. May 25, 1886.
JOHN WALKER was the son of Matthew Walker, who emigrated from Thompson, Ct., to Charlestown, N. H., in 1779, when John was about seven years old. He lived in Charlestown until 1796, when he m. Philena Spen- cer, daughter of Taylor and Mary (Davis) Spencer, of Springfield, and moved to Concord, N. H. The first ten years of their married life were spent in felling the forest, clearing the land, and keeping a primitive hotel. In 1806 they returned to Springfield, and settled upon a farm in the cast part of the town, known as the Walker homestead. While living in Concord he was made captain of militia, and was ever after called Capt. Walker. The wife and mother, Philena (Spencer) Walker, was a woman of superior abilities. She was b. in 1777, on the place owned (1894) by H. M. Arms, which was afterward exchanged for a farm on Connecticut River in Charlestown. Her schooling was limited to a single term, yet she acquired a good practical education ; was an extensive reader, and well posted in the news of the day. She was a large- hearted Christian woman, ever ready with a kind word and a helping hand for those in need of succor or advice. Her husband was an invalid the last twenty-five years of his life, and she managed the farm with such skill and judgment as are rarely found in the women of later years. She d. in 1869, in the 93d year of her age. Ch. :
I. Theodosia, m. July 24, 1816, George R. Gill. (See Gill family.)
II. Nancy, m. Sept. 10, 1822, Aaron P. Lynde. Six children.
III. May Ann, m. Nehemiah G. Spencer. (See Spencer family.)
IV. Louisa, d. in 1817.
V. Philena, m. Leonard Ellis. (See Ellis family.)
VI. Caroline, m. Guy Beckley ; d. 1839. Six children.
VII. Matilda M., m. William W. Whitney. (See Whitney family.)
VIII. John O., m. Sophronia Putnam, who d. in 1852. He settled on a farm near the Walker homestead. He was intensely patriotic; being too old to enter the Union army himself, he sent his four sons and two sons-in-law. One son, Pliny P., died in the service, the three others died of disease contracted in the service, and these four sons and one by his second marriage lie side by side in the little cemetery on Connecticut River. Eleven children by first marriage.
He m. 2d, Mary W.(Sleeper) Bailey. Ch. :
Mary S., m. A. O. Coburn. (See Coburn family.)
Kate W., m. Clinton W. Bailey, Jan. 13, 1882. . (See Bailey family.)
IX. Ralph Spencer, b. Dec. 15, 1814 ; d. Dec. 10, 1855 ; m. April 13, 1845, Jane Long of Claremont, N. H., who d. March 11, 1882. Ch. :
1. Maria, b. March 3, 1846; d. June 11, 1883.
2. Susan, b. May 8, 1847 ; d. Sept. 1, 1848.
RESIDENCE OF L. BARRY.
RESIDENCE OF JOHN P. EATON.
SUMMER RESIDENCE OF OSCAR W. WALKER.
DANIEL O. GILL HOMESTEAD.
SKITCHEWAUG MOUNTAIN AND THE CONNECTICUT RIVER.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN
3. Charles H., b. Jan. 25, 1849; m. Jan. 1, 1878, Anna T. Grinnell, daughter of Abel H. and Marcia (Spencer) Grinnell; res. in Keene, N. H.
4. George H., b. Jan. 24, 1852 ; m. March 25, 1885, Irene L. Loud of Wey- mouth, Mass. He is a mem- ber of the lith- ograpic firm of Geo. H. Walker & Co. (see sketch), and the head of the Walker- Gordon Lab- oratory Co., Boston, Mass. 5. Oscar W., b. Dec. 8, 1854; m. March 3, 1879, Nellie R. Moody, daughter of Orlen F. and Lucy (Dens- more) Moody. He is a mem- CHARLES H. WALKER. ber of the firm of Geo. H. Walker & Co. (see sketch), and res. in Malden, where he has just been re-elected to the Council (for the year 1895). He is a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge, F. and A. M. His summer home is in Springfield on the banks of the Connecticut River. Ch. : (1). George Harold, b. Jan. 23, 1880.
(2). Helen Belle, b. Aug. 23, 1888.
X. Catharine A., m. Marshall Myrick. He d. in March, 1856. Three children.
XI. James R., b. Aug. 27, 1820 ; m. in 1850, Maria L. Whipple, of Charles- town, N. H. In early life he was a successful teacher in the common schools, and later was superintendent of schools in Spring- field. He is one of the successful farmers of the town, being espe- cially noted far the manufacture of fine dairy butter. He was one of the foremost in organizing the Springfield Grange, and was the first master, believing fully in its advantages to farmers. Ch. : 1. Arthur D., b. Sept. 30, 1852.
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OF SPRINGFIELD, VT.
GEORGE H. WALKER.
OSCAR W. WALKER.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN
2. Julia W., b. March 26, 1857 ; m. Sept. 21, 1887, John A. Walker.
3. Anna M., b. July 10, 1863; m. Oct. 7, 1890, Frank C. Walker, of Markesan, Wis.
4. Ada M., b. March 28, 1865 ; d. Jan. 12, 1889.
GEORGE H. WALKER & CO.
The partners of this firm are George H. and Oscar W. Walker, sons of Ralph S. and Jane (Long) Walker, b. in this town. They are located at 160 Tremont Street, Boston, and do every kind of work belonging to the lithographic art. They are noted for their enter- prise and push and the suc- cess they have attained in their business, which has constantly increased year by year. The most of the por- traits and other prints of this history were made by this firm.
LEONARD WALKER, the son of John and Thankful (Spaulding) Walker, was b. at Dracut, Mass., Aug. 26, 1775.
His mother dying at an early age, and his father being poor and burdened with an increasing family by a second marriage, he was left while very young dependent upon his own ex- ertions.
He was apprenticed to a - blacksmith at New Ipswich, JAMES R. WALKER. N. H., where he learned his trade, working for his em- ployer the required time. With the natural longing for a newer country, he came up into Vermont and located at Parker's Hill in Springfield. This was becoming quite a lively little settlement when hardly anything had been done at the present centre village. Lieut. Isaac Parker, who had been in the Rev- olutionary War, had bought land and removed there from Chelmsford, Mass., with his family, and had given his name to that part of the town.
Assisted by the friends whom he made, young Walker opened a blacksmith's shop, and began work. Success attended his efforts, and after a few years of active work he bought the land and built the house now owned by Lewis Cutler. Oct. 28, 1801, he m. Betsey, sccond daughter of Isaac Parker, and moved into his own house. This he kept as a tavern for several years. Soon he also
GTu N.WALKER & CO LITH 605TON
A FARM-HOUSE ON THE CONNECTICUT RIVER.
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OF SPRINGFIELD, VT.
opened a store for general merchandise such as the place required. He re- mained in trade during the War of 1812, profiting by the advauces on all kinds of goods.
Leonard Walker was a justice of the peace, and represeuted the town in the General Assembly four years, in 1815, 1816, 1818, and 1826. His surviving daughter, Mrs. Skinner, well remembers when he would set ont for Montpelier with his saddle bags on horseback, there being no stage or public conveyance at that time. He was also one of the selectmen of the town for several years. Being a prominent Mason, the lodge meetings were held in the hall at his house, and at the temporary closure of the Masonic lodges he kept the regalia and jewels until the revival of Masonry, when they were restored to St. John's Lodge.
In religious faith he was a Universalist, and a constant supporter of that faith through life. When the present Universalist church was built he was the largest contributor. The first church of that denomination was on Parker's Hill, meetings being held in a little building called the Society House, taken down a few years ago. Nearly in the rear of this is the little bnrying-ground, where his father and two children and some others of his kindred lie buried. This settlement contained at that time a tavern, store, school, and meeting- house, blacksmith shop, and shoe shop. A physician resided there, and a preacher. There were perhaps a dozen houses, probably the largest number at that time in town. The mail was carried by a mau on horseback, who delivered it at the door. It is singular that of the little hamlet then existing only one honse now remains inhabited ou the hill, and that is the one he built.
Dependent on himself thns early, Leonard Walker developed the habits of industry and economy so essential to snecess, and to these were united strict honesty and integrity. Not quickly won over to uew things, when once cou- vinced he was steadfast. A Democrat at first, in his later years, convinced of the destructive growth of slavery, he became and died a strong Republican. On some points his will was strong to obstiuacy. It is remembered that althongh a strictly temperate man all his life, he would uever sign a temper- ance pledge; again, that he would never have his picture taken, consequently none now exist of him.
In figure he was about the medium size, inclining to stoutness in later life, and was of a lively and pleasing expression of countenance. In his inter- course with friends and neighbors he was kindly and gracious, and was a judicions adviser. Confined to his room for several years preceding his death, by decrepitude and disease, he endnred his sufferings patiently and without a murmur, yet thankful for his release from a life that, althongh for the most part a happy and prosperous one, had ceased to be worth living. Hc d. Dec. 20, 1864, in the ninetieth year of his age. His second daughter, Mrs. Skinner, still survives him, having just completed her eighty-fifth birthday (1889).
The children of Leonard and Betsey Walker were :
I. Eliza, b. June 20, 1802; m. Leonard Chase, M. D .; d. at Springfield, Sept. 20, 1869. (See sketch.)
II. Gratia, b. March 16, 1804; m. Rev. D. Skinner.
III. Albert, b. March 17, 1817; d. April 21, 1869, at Utica, N. Y.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN
IV. Lucia Ann, b. Oct. 11, 1824; m. John Ward, Esq. ; d. at Detroit, May 1, 1864. (See sketch.)
Two children d. in childhood, and were buried on Parker's Hill.
LEONARD WALKER, son of James and Lucinda (Townsend) Walker, was b. in Barnard, March 1, 1820; m. Augusta M. Crowell, daughter of Paul and Adelia (Gale) Crowell. Ch. :
I. Ernest, b. in Barnard, June 3, 1869.
EDWARD A. WARNER, son of Daniel J. and Margarett (Crain) Warner, was b. in Acworth, N. H., July 31, 1848. He came to Springfield in 1869, and was clerk for A. L. & H. L. Robinson in the grocery business. Was four years in the livery ; now (1894) clerk for A. H. Holman.
He m. May 13, 1871, Ella S. Monroe, daughter of Porter and Harriet A. Monroe of Winchendon, Mass. Ch. :
I. Jay A., b. in Springfield, Aug. 24, 1877.
II. Floyd M., b. in Springfield, Oct. 22, 1879.
GEORGE WASHBURN was b. in Lyme, N. H., March 20, 1799. He worked on a farm until sixteen years old, getting such education as the district schools afforded, when he apprenticed himself to Thomas Perkins of Lyme to learn the saddler's trade. In 1820 he began business for himself in Hartford, Vt. He came to Springfield in 1824, and opened the first harness and saddler's shop in the village, in a building where Leland & Son's store stands. He lived in the house now owned by H. T. Boutell until 1834, when he and Daniel Cushing built the block at the head of Main Street, where he had his shop and residence the remainder of his life. In 1839, in company with Stoddard Tower, Solomon Clement, and Oren Locke, he bought of Samuel M. Lewis the land on Pleasant Street and the Brook Road, and laid it out in building lots. He was publie- spirited and interested in the affairs of the town; was one of the selectmen several years, and held the office of postmaster over twenty years. In politics he was a Democrat, the leader of his party in the town, and influential in its councils throughout the State. Governor Hubbard of New Hampshire said of him that "he was the greatest man for the party of the time." He d. Nov. 7, 1866.
He m. Achsa White, daughter of Peter and Sarah (Moore) White, who d. Aug. 22, 1879. One daughter :
I. Sarah, b. April, 1826; d. Nov. 2, 1886.
JAMES P. WAY, son of John and Polly (Emerson) Way, was b. in Leon- inster, Mass., Nov. 2, 1844. He is a machinist, and has for many years worked for the Parks and Woolson Machine Co. He m. Sept. 8, 1864, Eliza A. Slack, daughter of John A. and Mary A. (McAllister) Slack. Ch. :
I. Harry S., b. Oct. 30, 1866.
II. Frank E., b. Nov. 7, 1868.
III. Rolfe B., b. Sept. 11, 1871.
JOHN O. WEEDEN, son of Benjamin and Asubah (Lord) Weeden, was b. at Hartland, Dec. 17, 1830; d. Nov. 8, 1882; m. Abby Lockwood, daughter of Benoni and Phebe (Arnold) Lockwood. Ch. :
I. Flora A., b. July 6, 1854 ; m. Loren C. Martin.
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OF SPRINGFIELD, VT.
II. Fannie J., b. Feb. 5, 1859; d. Sept. 20, 1863.
III. Ida M., b. Nov. 11, 1862 ; m. William II. Thomas.
IV. George O., b. Jan. 4, 1868.
HORACE WESTON, son of Joseph and Lucinda (Mather) Weston, was b. in Rockingham, Vt., Dec. 27, 1802. From the time he was old enough up to his majority he worked out, his wages going to the support of the family. When twenty-one years of age, he hired out to John Davis, afterwards his father-in- law, for $150 per year, a large sum in those days. He worked for Mr. Davis until May 1, 1827, when he m. Mary, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Herrick) Davis, and bought the Asa Locke farm in Rockingham. In 1834 he sold this farm and bought the farm in Springfield known as " Parker's Place," on Parker Hill. He remained on this farm nineteen years, then sold it, and bought in Windsor the "Engolsol" farm of five hundred acres, for which he paid $15,000. He carried on this farm until his death, May 20, 1871. Mr. Weston was representative in the State Legislature from Springfield in 1852, and was honored with other positions of trust both in Springfield and Windsor. He was a man of sound judgment in all business matters, fond of reading, and a great home man. He was an active member of the Universalist church in Springfield, and contributed liberally to its support. Ch. :
I. Albert, b. in Rockingham, Vt., Aug. 19, 1830; m. Nov. 4, 1855, Almira Allison, daughter of John and Anna Allison of Weathersfield. Ch. :
1. John Albert, b. Dec. 31, 1856; d. Aug. 30, 1870.
Upon the death of their father, Albert and his brother Horace came into joint possession of the home farm in Windsor and carried it on together until 1871, when Albert sold his interest to Horace, and in 1885 he bought the Stoughton mansion in Windsor village, where he has since resided.
II. Horace, b. in Springfield, Oct. 31, 1835 ; educated at Springfield Wes- leyan Seminary. He became sole owner of the home farm in Windsor in 1871, and has since bought 700 acres in Weathersfield, being one of the most extensive farmers in that section. He represented Windsor in the Legislature in 1872-73; has been selectman seventeen years, fifteen years in succession, lister thirteen years, and justice of the peace twenty years.
He m. Dec. 6, 1859, Sarah C. Dake, daughter of George and Susan
- (Wait) Dake. She was b. in Windsor, Dec. 13, 1838. Ch. :
1. George D., b. Aug. 9, 1860; graduated at Dartmouth College in class of 1884, and from the Medical Department of Philadelphia University. He is now in practice in Fort Payne, Ala. (1894).
2. Fred H., b. April 7, 1863; graduated from Dartmouth College in class of 1885. Now head clerk for Joseph Whitcomb's Sons, Springfield, Mass.
3. Charles A., b. Oct. 19, 1873.
JEMIEL WESTON, son of Joseph and Lucinda (Mather) Weston, b. July 31, 1804; owned a farm on Parker Hill; d. Feb. 5, 1877. He m. Almira Gale. Her mother was Mehitable (Ladd) Gale, who m. 2d, Rev. Dexter Bates of Springfield. Ch. :
.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN
I. Charlotte, b. June 26, 1833; m. A. Cortez Miller. She d. Dec. 21, 1885. (See Miller family.)
II. Herbert, d. in infancy.
III. Celia, b. July 22, 1841; m. Russell S. Herrick. (See sketch.)
IV. Oscar, b. July 30, 1843; m. Sarah H. Randel.
V. George Bates, b. Sept. 5, 1845; m. Jan. 10, 1873, Sarah D. Corbin of Dakota.
VI. Christina, b. Aug. 21, 1847; m. Edwin S. Randel.
LEWIS WESTON, son of Joseph and Lucinda (Mather) Weston, b. Oct. 14, 1801; m. Sophia White, daughter of Nathan and Rachel (Rist) White. He d. Dec. 2, 1869. Ch. :
I. Charles.
II. Abbie.
NATHANIEL WESTON was one of the early settlers of Springfield. He lived on the farm now owned by the heirs of the late Asahel P. Fairbanks. His name appears on the town records as commissioner of highways in 1772. Fromn then up to 1791 he was most of the time in town office or some position of responsibility by election at town meeting. In 1782 he was moderator, town clerk, and selectman. He was town representative in 1784, 1785, and 1791. By trade he was a carpenter and joiner.
NATHAN WESTON came to Springfield in early days by marked trees. He cleared land and built a house in the southwest part of the town, and lived there several years, after which he moved to Rockingham, where he d. He m. Sarah Adams. Ch. :
I. Ezekiel M., b. at Rockingham, July 28, 1819; m. Ist, Sept. 4, 1844, Betsey Hazelton ; she d. Sept. 23, 1886. He. m. 2d, Ellen M. Holt, daughter of Charles and Betsey (Parker) Holt. He bought a farm in Rockingham and lived there for forty years. Came to Spring- field in 1886. He d. in 1894.
ENOCH W. WETHERBEE, son of Moses and Mary D. (Wheelock) Wetherbee, was b. in Rockinghamn, Vt., June 12, 1843. IIe served in the War of the Rebellion, in Co. I, 12th Reg't Vermont Volunteers. He m. 1st, Mary A. Grimes, daughter of Bradford Grimes; she d. Aug. 8, 1872. He m. 2d, Abbie E. Randall, daughter of Smith K. and Evaline (IIenry) Randall. Ch. :
I. Mary A., b. Oct. 1, 1875.
II. Mattie E., b. Sept. 22, 1883.
GILMAN P. WETHERBEE, son of Abijah and Esther (Kimball) Wetherbee, was b. in Surry, N. H., Feb. 14, 1822; m. Elzina Lockwood, daughter of Lewis and Betscy (Ellison) Lockwood. Ch. :
I. Elzina, b. Sept. 4, 1844; d. June 22, 1875.
II. Elizabeth, b. July 18, 1846; m. Henry Foster; she d. Oct. 3, 1873.
III. Horace E., b. April 9, 1849; m. Nov. 1, 1877, Mary Dooley; he d. Aug. 8, 1882.
IV. Hattie E., b. Junc 20, 1851; m. Edward Davis.
v. Ethel I., b. April 30, 1855; d. Feb. 13, 1863.
VI. Louisa B., b. April 6, 1861 ; d. April 23, 1874.
1
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OF SPRINGFIELD, VT.
JAMES WHIPPLE FAMILY.
JAMES WHIPPLE, son of Lieut. James and Elizabeth (Hall) Whipple, was b. in Grafton, Mass., Dec. 1, 1767 ; he m. Sarah, daughter of Deacon Joseph Merriam of Grafton. In 1800 he came to Springfield, and bought of Samuel Josliu a farm iu Eureka, now owned by Sarah J. Miller. In 1805 he ex- changed farms with James Miller of Grafton, Mass., and moved back to that place; but he sold that farm very soon, and returned to Springfield. In 1807 he and Elliot Lynde bought of Daniel Houghton the building which is now William H. Wheeler's store, which Lewis & Seymour had built for a shop, and fitted it over into a store, and traded there three years, when the copartnership with Lynde was dissolved, and he bought of Phineas Reed the place now owned and occupied by B. F. Dana, and built a house. He also bought a building near Mr. Hiland Boutelle's present residence (where he lived some time), which was used as a lawyer's office, and moved it to a point near Miss Grace Chipman's house, and opened it as a store. James P. Brown was his clerk. Then he and others built the woollen-factory dam, near the covered bridge, after which he and his son, James, Jr., hired of Gen. Morris the farm and tavern, now the Daniel O. Gill homestead, on Connecticut River, where they kept tavern. When James and Sarah Whipple came to town in 1800, they came to Lockwood's Falls, fording the river below the falls, and then by the old meeting-house and up by the Smiley place to their new home in Eureka. The roads were mere bridle paths. Mrs. Whipple, who was noted as a skilful equestrienne, rode on a very fine saddle, which was a wedding present from her father. Ch. :
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