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HISTORICAL ADDRESS

DELIVEKBD AT THE

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION,

Easthampton, Mass.,

JULY 4, 18T6.

By EEV. PAYSON W. LYMAN.

SPEmGFIELD, MASS. :
CLARK W. BRYAN & COMPANY, PRINTERS.
1877.

INTRODUCTORY.

A MEETING of the citizens interested in having a
celebration, with an historical address, on the Centen
nial 4th of July, was held at the Mansion House on
the evening of June 21, 1876.
Lieutenant-Governor Knight was called to the chair.
After a free and full interchange of views, it was
voted to appoint a committee of five to consider the
matter, and report at a subsequent meeting.
The committee consisted of Lieut-Governor H. G.
Knight, Hon. E. H. Sawyer, Dea. Lauren D. Lyman,
Dea. C. B. Johnson, Oscar Ward.
The committee subsequently reported that it is
expedient to have a celebration, with an historical
address, whereupon it was
Voted, To invite the Rev. Payson W. Lyman of
Belchertown, to deliver the address, and C. B. John
son was appointed a committee to ascertain if Mr.
Lyman would accept the invitation. He subse
quently reported that Mr. Lyman had consented to
deliver the address.
It was also voted, that E. R. Bosworth and John
Mayher be appointed a committee on finance.
Subsequent meetings, in furtherance of the object,
were held as follows : One on the evening of June
22d, another on the evening of the 24th, and still

IV introductory.
another on the evening of the 26th. The final meet
ing was held June 30th.
At these meetings it was
Voted, That the preliminary Committee of Five be
a permanent Committee of Arrangements.
Voted, That Maj. Henry E. Alvord be appointed
chief marshal, with power to employ as many assist
ants as he may require.
Voted, To appoint Henry H, Sawyer a committee
on vocal music.
Voted, To invite all the Sabbath-schools in the
town to unite in the celebration, and the invitation
was accepted.
Voted, That the address be delivered in the town
hall, and that the exercises begin at 3 o'clock p. m.
Voted, That James Keene, superintendent of the
Sabbath-school in the First church, A. J. Lyman, su
perintendent of the school in the Payson church, S.
W. Pierce, superintendent of the Methodist Sabbath-
school, N. W. Farrar, superintendent of the school
in the Episcopal Society, and the Rev. R. J. Dono
van, of the Catholic Sabbath-school, be requested to
make the necessary arrangements for their respective
schools. It was decided to set the tables for refresh
ments in the Seminary grounds.
Voted, That the Easthampton Cornet Band be en
gaged to furnish music for the procession.
The One Hundredth Anniversary of our National
Independence was ushered in by the ringing of bells,
firing of cannon, blazing of bonfires, and other dem
onstrations of joy ; and a procession, headed by a
drum corps, marching through the principal streets,
in the early gray of the morning, finished the first
act. At 9 o'clock, A. m., the Manhan Hose company,

introductory. V
in full uniform, headed by the Easthampton Cornet
Band, paraded the streets, making an imposing ap
pearance. There has been no demonstration like it
in the town for many years.
At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, the exercises in the
town hall were opened by Hon. E. H. Sawyer, in be
half of the Committee of Arrangements, who spoke
as follows :
One hundred years ago to-day, our fathers, few in number, but
strong in faith and hope, declared themselves free and independ
ent, and capable of self-government. From that day to this, they
and their descendants have maintained the truth of that decla
ration ; and this afternoon, in our established freedom, we have
gathered in this place to speak of the good way the Lord has led
us in the hundred years just past. After the manner set us
by our forefathers, to secure an orderly meeting, a Committee of
Arrangements, chosen for the purpose at a preliminary gather
ing, have agreed to propose officers for this occasion ; and as di
rected by said committee, I now nominate as president of the
day, our townsman, "native-born. His Honor the Lieutenant-Gov
ernor of this Commonwealth; and as secretaries, Lafayette Clapp,
Esq., and C. B. Johnson, Esq.
The nominations were carried unanimously, and
Governor Knight, on taking the chair, spoke as fol
lows: I cheerfully and gratefully take the place assigned to me on
this occasion by the Committee of Arrangements ; cheerfully, be
cause the duties of the position will be easily performed; and
gratefully, because it is an honorable one, and my call to it fur
nishes evidence of the continued good-will of my associates and
fellow-citizens, whose uniform and abounding kindness has placed
me under the greatest obligations.
In accordance with the proclamation of the chief magistrate of
the nation, it is becoming in us, as a Christian people, on this
one hundredth birthday of our republic, to assemble, as we have
done ; render thanks to God for his goodness to us in the century
that has passed ; for our freedom and union ; for our arts and

VI introductory.
industries ; for our fields and factories ; for our trade and com
merce ; for our homes, our schools, and churches ; and for all his
benefits to us as a nation ; and to beseech Him that he will be
our guide and defence during all the years of the century upon
which we are now entering.
It will not be proper for me to occupy the time that has been
assigned to others, and thus detain you from the feast that has
been prepared. The scenes of this day forcibly remind me of the
great changes that have come over our own little town during the
last few years. Some of us remember when our population was
only about one-sixth of what it is to-day, and when the noble
families of Clarks, Clapps, Lymans and Wrights, constituted a
majority. We also had a goodly though smaller number of Pom-
eroys. Our attention is soon to be directed to some facts and events
in -our local history, by one of the Lyman family, whose tastes
and studies have well fitted him for the service. As we listen to
his words, may we remember, and never forget, that a pure and
upright character is the most precious relic of our past history
which we can cherish ; and that such a character, built up in us
and our children, is the noblest monument we can erect to the
memory of our fathers, and of the men who laid the foundations of
our government. I am not among those who think the former
times were greatly better than the present, and who take a de
sponding view of the future. We have seen some decay of pri
vate virtue and public honor; but now we witness a quickened
spirit of honor and integrity in the management of public affairs,
a growing contempt for dishonesty and dishonest men, and a
hatred of every form of fraud and falsehood, which may well lead
us to thank God and take courage.
Permit me to express the earnest hope, that by the exercises
of this hour, and by all the grateful and patriotic memories of the
day, we may be inspired with new thankfulness to the God who
upheld our fathers in their struggle for liberty and independence ;
and who has carried their children through the trials of the cen
tury; and that we may all make vows of new devotion to the
unity and welfare of our dear country, and the preservation and
purity of its institutions.
Representative Lafayette Clapp then read the Pres
ident's proclamation, after which prayer was offered

INTRODUCTORY. Vll
by Rev. A. M. Colton, the audience joining in the
Lord's Prayer at the end. Next, the Star Spangled
Banner was sung by a select choir, under the direc
tion of H. H. Sawyer. The Declaration of Independ
ence was read by Capt. David Hill, and after the sing
ing of Keller's National Hymn, the Rev. Payson Wil-
liston Lyman, of Belchertown, was announced as the
speaker of the day.
At the close of the address, William G. Bassett, Esq.,
offered the following resolution, which was unani
mously adopted :
Resolved, That the thanks of the meeting be re
turned to Rev. Payson W. Lyman, for his appropri
ate and entertaining address ; and that a copy be re
quested of him, to the end that the Committee of
Arrangements may comply with President Grant's
proclamation, relating to the preservation of histor
ical addresses.
The audience then joined in singing America ; Rev.
Dr. S. T. Seelye followed with a few remarks, and
closed the exercises in the hall with the benediction.
One prominent and very interesting feature of the
occasion was, that the platform was filled with a large
number of the elderly men of the town.
After the close of the exercises in the hall, the
Sabbath-schools were formed in procession, under the
direction of Chief-Marshal Alvord, and after marching
through the streets for a while, brought up in the
Seminary grounds, in front of the well filled tables ;
and proceeded to perform the part of the programme
assigned to them, in a manner satisfactory to them
selves, and equally so to their friends.
The fire-works in the evening, owing to signs of
rain, began a full hour earlier than was expected, and

VIU INTRODUCTORY.
many of the best pieces were lost to the crowd. A
slight shower coming up about that time, the large
concourse gathered sought their homes, being a little
disappointed, perhaps, at this part of the day's pro
ceedings, but, on the whole, well satisfied with the
celebration of the Centennial Fourth.

Historical Address.

Two hundred and eleven years ago, December 13,
1664, the town of Northampton granted John Webb
a piece of land " at Pascommuck," to build a house
upon. The house he is supposed to have built the
following Spring ; and it was the first civilized habi
tation within the borders of our town. It stood near
the residence of the late Augustus Clapp, in Nasha-
wannuck. It was on a little rise of ground, near the
bank of the river, at the westernmost bend of the
" old bed," which was then the only channel. This
was ten years after the actual settlement of North
ampton, in 1654.
The purchase of the tract of land known as Nono-
tuck, from the aboriginal owners thereof, was made
in 1653. Upon May 6th of that year, certain inhabi
tants of Windsor, Hartford and other places, twenty-
four in number, petitioned the General Court for lib
erty " to plant, possess and inhabit the place, being
on the Conetiquot river, above Springfield, called Non-
otuck." They represented that they knew the place
to be " desirable to erect a town in, for the further
ance of the public weal, by providing corn and rais
ing cattle, not only for their own, but likewise for the
good of others — the propagating of the Gospel — the

2 NONOTUCK  ITS PURCHASE AlSTD BOUNDARIES.
place promising, in an ordinary way of God's provi
dence, a comfortable subsistence, whereby people may
live, and attend upon God in his holy ordinances
without distraction." This petition was aided by
three of the principal men of Springfield, John
Pyncheon, Elizur Holyoke, and Samuel Chapin, who,
upon the granting of the petition, May 18, 1653, were
appointed commissioners to lay out Nonotuck into
two plantations, of which the petitioners were to
have one. The other, subsequently laid out, was east
of the river.
The first public document on record in Northamp
ton, in the words " not molesting Indians, nor de
priving them of their just rights and property, with
out allowance to their satisfaction," recognizes the
principle upon which our fathers proceeded in effect
ing settlement. Accordingly, September 24, 1653,
their representative, John Pyncheon, effected a pur
chase of this region, at Springfield. Conveyance of
title was made by six prominent Indians, sachems of
the Norwottuck tribe and others, two of whom appear
as owners of land east of the river.
The tract of land purchased, according to Sylvester
Judd's version of the deed, *" Extended from the brook
below Munhan, called Shankwonk, below Asahel Ly
man's," (^¦ e. the brook crossing the highway, not far
above Smith's ferry,) " up by the Quinetticott, to the
brook or gutter below Capawonk, called Masquomp,
(now Half-way brook,) and out into the woods westerly
nine miles." Hoyt and others make it to have ex
tended downward to the Falls on the Connecticut at
South Hadley. The price paid was 100 fathom of
wampum, 10 coats, and the plowing of 16 acres of land
*History of Hadley, page 114.

FURTHER PURCHASES. 3
on the east side of the river. A fathom of wampum,
of white beads, was worth five shillings, and of black
beads ten shillings.
The settlement was effected the following Spring,
though only a third of the original petitioners are
thought to have become actual settlers. One of
these was John Webb, who, ten years after, made the
first settlement within the present limits of East
hampton. ¦ July 20, 1657, the settlers bought the South
meadow in Hatfield, called by, the Indians Capawonk,
of Sachem Umpanchala, otherw:ise Womscom or Lam-
panoho, for fifty shillings, which was received from
'' John Webb of Northampton," who no doubt acted
as the town's agent.
Being desirous of encouraging a settlement higher
up the river, between them and the northern wilder
ness, — a motive which had actuated Springfield in fa
voring our settlement — they sold this tract the next
year, October 17, 1658, to certain Hartford men who
proposed to settle across the river from Northampton,
for £10, to be paid in wheat and peas. They stipu
lated, among other things, that settlement should be
begun by May, 1659, and that they should settle on
both sides of the river. Some of the conditions of
sale were not complied with, and March 11, 1659, we
find John Webb and two others, in behalf of North-
. ampton, agreeing with three representatives of the
new plantation, to sell Capawonk meadow for £30
sterling, to be paid in wheat and peas deliv^ed in
Hartford. This agreement is the first instrument re
corded in the book of deeds in Springfield. The
deed, for some reason, was not given till January 22,
1663.

4 HADLEY — OTHERWISE NORWOTTUCK.
These new settlers bought of the Indians the land
stretching nine miles east of the river, and extending
from Mount Holyoke to Mount Toby. Also, at a later
date, a tract lying along the west bank of the river,
above Capawonk, running back nine miles. Pynch
eon, who, with Holyoke and Chapin of Springfield,
and William Holton and Richard Lyman of North
ampton, was appointed to lay out the new plantation,
negotiated these purchases, as he was an influential
man and a great trader. This second settlement in
old Nonotuck was at first called Newtown or Norwot
tuck; but at its incorporation. May 22, 1661, it took
the name Hadley.
These accounts of the purchase of Indian lands
make it clear that our fathers did no injustice to the
natives. It is said that they welcomed the English,
and gladly sold their lands, knowing well to what use
the English were accustomed to put them. Though
the price received was small, it was all they de
manded, and all the lands were worth, considering the
hardships, risks and costs to be endured, in effecting
settlement in a wilderness, and reducing the land to
cultivation. And then the Indians, in reality, surren
dered little which was of value to themselves. It
was understood that they might still dwell, hunt, and
fish, within the territory sold. Two of the deeds ex
pressly permit them to set up their wigwams and get
fire-wood from the commons. They had little use
for the land for other purposes than these. " It may
well be doubted," says Sylvester Judd, " whether all
the Indian corn fields in the valley, from Holyoke and
Tom on the south, to Toby and Sugar Loaf on the
north, contained more than seventy acres." In Had
ley one corn field of sixteen acres, more or less, was

SETTLEMENT OF EASTHAMPTON. 5
expressly exempted from sale. They lost little,
therefore, for the men continued to hunt and fish,
and the women to raise corn, perhaps even to better
advantage, upon shares, on well plowed lands, than
ever before. "It would be difficult, perhaps," says
Mr. Judd, " to tell why the purchase of Indian lands
in Pennsylvania, by William Penn, is more- worthy of
renown than the purchase of Indian lands in North
ampton and Hadley, by John Pyncheon, twenty years
before." The principal chiefs of the Norwottucks,
north of Mounts Tom and Holyoke, at the period of
settlement, were Chickwallop, Umpanchala and Quon-
quont, whose names are prominent in the early deeds.
The first white resident within the limits of East
hampton, as has been shown, was John Webb, who
seems to have been an honored citizen of our mother
town. His land was granted December 13, 1664,
and settlement made, probably, in the ensuing Spring.
At what time he died is uncertain. Robert Danks,
an early resident of Northampton, married his widow,
and, with two sons of Webb, lived in Nashawannuck
many years. Descendants of Webb were there for
seventy-five years.
The first bridge over the Manhan river was voted
in 1668, and most likely was near the house of John
Webb, and not far from where the" meadow road now
crosses the same stream. Over this the settlers con
veyed such of their produce as they did not require
for home consumption. Their taxes were payable
first at Charlestown, and afterwards at Boston, in
wheat. This was conveyed to Hartford in carts and
wagons, and thence shipped to Boston. The cost of
shipping from Hartford, in at least one recorded in
stance, consumed one-third of the cargo.

b PASCOMMUCK.
Just across the Manhan from the homestead of
John Webb, at the foot of the mountain, is a beauti
ful plateau, overlooking the meadows, and Northamp
ton beyond. It is at the point where now the road
leading up the mountain which bears up the ancient
name of this section, — Nonotuck — takes its departure
from the public highway. This was the location of
the next residences within our limits, and the hamlet
planted here bore the Indian name Pascommuck.
The settlers were five in number, Moses Hutchin
son, John Searle, Benoni Jones, Samuel and Benjamin
Janes, with their families. The town granted them
their home lots in 1699.
They were not, however, destined to remain long
in undisturbed possession of their homes. On the
24th of May, 1704, early in the morning, a party of
non-resident Indians, passing this way, came down
from the mountain and fell upon the hamlet so sud
denly, and so impetuously, that defence, though at
tempted, was impossible. Nineteen persons, nine of
the name of Janes, were slain, either here, or shortly
after capture. Benjamin Janes escaped from his cap
tors, and, rowing to Northampton across the flooded
meadows, gave the alarm. A troop of cavalry, under
Capt. John Taylor, speedily started in pursuit, who
encountered the Indians, but with no other result
than the death of nearly all the captives, and of Cap
tain Taylor himself. Another, troop afterwards came
up from the lower settlements to punish the savages,
but were unsuccessful. More than ten years .elapsed
before this ruin was repaired, but at length other per
sons came in to take the places of the slain, some of
them being children of the slain.
Twenty-five years before the settlement at Pascom-

BARTLETT S MILLS. 7
muck, or in 1674, Northampton gave "David Wilton,
Medad Pumry, and Joseph Taylor, liberty to erect a
saw-mill on the brook, on the right hand of the cart
way going over Manhan river." Twelve years later,
(1686-7) they voted Samuel Bartlett liberty to set up
a corn-mill, " on the falls below the cart-way on the
river." The cart- way was just above our covered
bridge at the foot of Meeting House hill. These
mills were doubtless built soon after, though their
owners did not effect a residence here. Samuel Bart
lett gave the corn-mill to his son Joseph in 1705, who
made the first permanent settlement in the region of
the present village, probably as early as 1725 or 30.
His house he kept open for the accommodation of
travelers for twenty years. His nephew, Jonathan
Clapp, ancestor of all the Clapps among us, lived with
him and succeeded to the greater portion of his es
tate, and to his business. About the same time at
which Landlord Joseph Bartlett built his house, his
brother David settled some forty rods westerly from
the present residence of Julius Pomeroy, and after
him his son lived there till near or quite the time of
the Revolution. Between the homes of the Bartlett
brothers was the home of four brothers named Wait,
not far from where R. C. Dresser now lives. ^ ,
Twenty years later. May 28, 1745, Deacon Stephen
Wright and Benjamin Lyman, bought of Northamp
ton the upper School meadow, a tract of eighty acres
of land, lying on both sides of the river above the
cart-way, which the town had set apart for the sup-;
port of schools.* Deacon Wright settled where Samt
uel Hurlburt lives, and Mr. Lyman where Joel BasseJ^ji
lives. They were the ancestors of the Wrights and
* The original deed may be seen in the museum.

8 POMEROy's MEADOW — PARK HILL  THE PLAIN.
Lymans of Easthampton, and, until recently, most of
their lands have been held by descendants.
Not far from 1732, Samuel and Eldad Pomeroy,
settled upon what is now the homestead of Dea. E.
W. Hannum and son. Caleb, son of Samuel, soon af
ter built near the late residence of A. L. Strong. In
1742, the Pomeroy s entered a protest to the General
Court, against being set off from Northampton with
the then recent settlers in what is now Southampton,
who were moving for separation, and with whom they
had had no connection. In their address, they state
that they had improved their lands, and paid taxes
upon them for forty or fifty years. This would seem
to show that their land came under cultivation not
later than 1700. They were, afterwards, at their
own request, received into the new society at South
ampton. As early as 1750, Josiah Phelps established him
self upon Park hill, upon the place, until lately, for
many years occupied by J. Rockwell Wright. About
1760 John and Eleazer Hannum settled upon the
plateau now occupied by J. Milton and Edwin Han
num. The first settler upon the plain upon which our
village stands, was Serg. Ebenezer Corse, who built a
house where Spencer Clapp formerly lived, and cut his
road for a mile through the forest to this point. He
was followed soon after by Stephen Wright, Jr., and
Benjamin Lyman, Jr., sons of the purchasers of
School meadow, and also by Benjamin and Aaron
Clapp, the posterity of all of whom, John and Luther
L. Wright, Ansel B. Lyman, William N. Clapp and
son, and James H. Lyman, still occupy their ancestral
seats. The first settlement in the south-east part of

SETTLEMENT OP SOUTHAMPTON. 9
the town was effected by Israel Hendrick, about a
hundred years since.
The first settlers of Southampton were mostly from
Northampton, sons of men with large families, who
wished to find homes for their children. The first
meeting of those proposing to effect a settlement
there, of which there is any record, was held January
31, 1730. A committee of Northampton citizens di
vided the lands among them. The first recorded
notice of this settlement, afterwards called "the sec
ond precinct," was in the account of a meeting held
December 22, 1732, when a committee was chosen
" to lay out a highway, over the branch of Manhan
river, at or near Pomeroy's meadow, or some other
suitable and convenient place, so as to accommodate
the new settlement." In 1732, two houses were
erected there, and in 1733, fourteen ; and shortly af
ter fourteen more. This, in brief, was the origin of
Southampton. It was established by the General
Court as the second precinct of Northampton, July
23, 1741, on petition of thirty-five freeholders, one of
whom was Eleazer Hannum of our town. They had
preaching from the first, whenever they could secure
it. In 1737, measures were taken to secure a house
of worship, which was begun but not completed for
several years. The first pastor. Rev. Jonathan Judd,
was ordained June 8, 1743. Serg. Ebenezer Corse,
before mentioned, was the only one who voted
against Mr. Judd's settlement, and he afterwards be
came a decided supporter of the new minister. In
1753, they appointed a committee " to dignify the
seats and pews." The relative dignity of citizens
was determined by a combination of age and prop
erty, one year in age being equal to £10 in property.
2

10 PRE-REVOLUTIONARY TROUBLES.
For more than a century after Webb's settlement
in Nashawannuck, those who resided within our bor
ders had their civil and ecclesiastical relations with
North or Southampton. They shared with those
towns the perils of Indian hostilities; they joined
with them in the support of the Gospel. Side by
side they marched with British soldiers in the early
French and Indian wars. They endured toil and pri
vation, and some of them shed their blood, on the
fields about Lake George, Louisburg and elsewhere.
The names of those soldiers are mostly forgotten, and
the record of their individual service, saving in ex
ceptional cases, has perished. But their heroism and
valor helped to procure this country for the use of an
English speaking and liberty loving race. Along
with the heroes of later wars, they should be awarded
honored places in the regard of those who, in this
and succeeding generations, enjoy the priceless herit
age won by their valor.
Excepting the massacre already referred to at Pas
commuck, no record has come to us of the death of
any one, at the hands of the Indians, within our bor
ders, excepting Nathaniel Edwards of Northampton,
who was shot and scalped in 1724, near the brook
which crosses the highway, just south of the residence
of Samuel Phelps.
Long before this, the Norwottuck Indians, of whom
the lands were bought, had ceased to make Nonotuck
their home. For twenty years after their sale of the
lands, they dwelt here, in perfect peace with the set
tlers. In 1664, they were allowed to build a fort upon
certain conditions, such as that they should not har
bor hostile Indians, nor violate the Sabbath by bear-

DEPARTURE OF THE NORWOTTUCKS. 11
ing burdens upon it. This fort was probably the one
on Fort hill, near its north-east point, overlooking the
meadows, east of the present South street in North
ampton. Mr. Judd says that the forts of the Norwot
tucks were generally built upon a bluff, or high bank,
projecting into a valley or intervale, near a stream.
They also had a fort on Fort plain, the plateau in the
rear of our East street school-house, overlooking the
meadows of the Manhan and Connecticut. Here was
the last residence of Indians within the limits of East
hampton. Their last place of habitation within Non
otuck was on another Fort plain, about half way from
Northampton to Hatfield, where they had a fort on
the high bank of the Connecticut, overlooking Had
ley Great meadow.
In 1675, they showed evident signs of hostility.
This disposition was so marked, that the settlers de
termined to disarm them, peaceably if possible, but to
disarm them at all events. Their negotiations failed,
and they planned a surprise for the night succeeding
August 24, 1675. But the Indians, anticipating the
' attempt, had fled, having killed an old sachem who
would not go. Pursuit of them resulted in an en
counter, in which our troops lost nine men. One of
the Indian women afterwards claimed that they lost
twenty-six, though Mr. Judd doubts so large a loss.
At all events, they retired up the valley and never
returned to dwell. One, at least, of their women was
friendly to the last, and warned " goodwife Wright "
to get into the town with her children, and said she
dared not to tell the news, for her tribe would then
cut off her head. No doubt some of them, the women
especially, left their ancestral home in fair Nonotuck
with heavy hearts. Mr. Judd estimates that, at this

12 ANXIETY FROM THE INDIANS.
time, this clan or tribe numbered two hundred or
more. During this period the people were necessarily
on the watch against the forces of Philip, and main
tained, during the war, a permanent guard, which, in
1676, two hundred years ago, numbered fifty. In
the famous Turners Falls fight, in which our forces
were under command of Captain Turner, and in
which a decisive blow was struck against Philip, our
Northampton soldiers were under command of En
sign John Lyman ; and rendered efiicient service.
But though no Indians resided in Nonotuck after
the close of Philip's war, yet there were periods when
the people were, with good reason, seriously appre
hensive of an attack ; and when families lay down at
night not knowing what horror would befall them be
fore the dawn ; when in going to the field or town a
weapon of war was a necessary appurtenance ; and
when the mother, at home with the children, felt the
need of vigilant watch against a surprise. Especially
does this appear to have been the case in the years
1745-6-7 ; for at this time watch houses were built,
and a dwelling in each hamlet fortified. The houses
of Joseph Bartlett at the mills, Samuel Janes at Pas
commuck, and Maj. Jonathan Clapp on the North
ampton road, were thus fortified.
During all these years, the population of this re
gion was enlarging ; new homesteads were being
brought under cultivation ; and the people Avere es
tablishing a center for themselves. Occasional preach
ing services were enjoyed at the house of Landlord
Bartlett ; and they at length felt that their numbers
and property would warrant a separate town and
church organization. Accordingly, in March, 1773,

easthampton's separation. 13
they began to press the matter of separation, repre
senting their desire that they might be in such cir
cumstances, that, with little difficulty, they could
meet and transact business among themselves; but
more especially that with greater convenience, and
hopefully, with greater profit to themselves and their
families, they might attend on public worship, and on
the ordinances of God's sanctuary. The religious
motive was thus uppermost in the minds of our fa
thers in seeking to build a new township.
Northampton acquiesced in their request; voted
them £300 for religious uses ; and directed its repre
sentative in General Court to forward their petition.
But the strenuous opposition of Southampton post
poned the final act till after the Revolution. Again
in 1781-2, the matter was agitated, and a Northamp
ton committee reported that " the petitioners with
their lands, together with those from Southampton
who wished to join them, would make a respectable
parish or town, and be fully sufficient to support the
charges incident thereto." They recommended that
their petition be granted, and the town adopted the
recommendation, voting to give the new town one-
eighth the public lands and other property. The act
of incorporation as a district was not granted till
1785. The first district meeting was held at the house of
Capt. Joseph Clapp, which house is still standing, just
north of the covered bridge. The warrant was di
rected to Benjamin Lyman as " one of the principal
inhabitants," and he was moderator of the meeting,
which chose Dea. Stephen Wright, Capt. Philip Clark,
and Eleazer Hannum, selectmen.
Before this time, in anticipation of incorporation,

14 church organization.
certain individuals made preparation to build a house
of worship ; and, in the Spring of 1785, a frame was
erected. At the first business meeting of the district,
true to their declared religious purpose, the citizens
voted to provide a place of worship, taking for that
purpose the frame already erected, and paying its
owners for the same.
November 17, 1785, the first church was organized,
also at the house of Capt. Joseph Clapp. The mem
bership of the church was seventy-two, of whom
forty-six were from the church in Northampton, and
twenty-six from that in Southampton.
Of this meeting Stephen Wright was moderator,
and Capt. Philip Clark clerk, who, with Benjamin
Lyman, were chosen deacons. Captain Clark declined
filling this office, and two years later Obadiah Janes
was chosen to it. Revs. Solomon Williams and Jona
than Judd, from whose churches the members of the
new church had come, were present at the organiza
tion, as were Revs. Joseph Strong and Enoch Hale.
April 6, 1789, the church called Rev. Payson Wil-
liston to become their pastor. Accepting the call, he
was ordained August 13th, the sermon upon the occa
sion being preached by Rev. Noah Williston, and the
consecrating prayer being offered by Rev. Richard S.
Storrs. That ordination was an event heavily freighted
with the future of the town. It gave us the man
who was the people's religious teacher for forty-four
years, and their revered and honored father for
twenty more. In his loins as yet, but there on that
day, by anticipation, was also the man who o-ave
Easthampton its manufacturing industries, and its
distinguished position as an educational center. That

WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 15
day gave Williston, with all that that honored name
involves, to Easthampton. It was a great day for
Easthampton, was it not ? August 13, 1789.
At the time of its organization the town is said to
have contained about sixty-five families ; in all, some
four hundred inhabitants. The population in 1790
was four hundred and fifty-seven.
Thus, in outline, I have sketched the beginnings of
our goodly town ; its actual beginnings in settlement,
together with the antecedent settlement of the
mother town ; its municipal beginnings in incorpora
tion ; its ecclesiastical beginnings in church organiza
tion. If you would know its territorial beginnings,
you must ask the geologist, who, from the rocks,
and the soils, and the configuration of the region,
has read something of the physical history of these
stately ranges, and smiling slopes, and beauteous
intervales. The result of the conflicts and strug
gles of nature's mighty forces, forms the basis of
that which, having been garnished by man's indus
trious hand, constitutes as fair a landscape as any on
which the eye can rest.
But I must hasten to speak of that which is more
germane to this day, the war of the Revolution and
the part our fathers played.
THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION,
In its inception and early intention, was not a war
for the acquisition of new privileges, but simply for
the maintenance of the old and time honored. Al
though nominally colonists of Great Britain, our peo
ple, from the beginning, had enjoyed, almost com
pletely, the benefits of home rule. They had scarcely
been compelled to feel the power of the mother gov-

16 THE REVOLUTION NOT AN INNOVATION.
eminent at all. By what Burke calls "the wise
neglect" of Great Britain, we had been left to the
government of our own affairs. The people spoke
their minds in the town meetings, and sent their rep
resentatives to General Court to record their will,
and to bring it into harmony with the will of their
sister townships. The towns managed their own
ecclesiastical, educational, and military affairs ; took
part in the execution of justice through the local po
lice and jurors whom they chose ; levied taxes for these
and other purposes ; and discussed, in open meeting,
, questions relating to matters of public interest. The
records of these town meetings are full of interest,
and go far to show where the spirit of patriotism was
fired to the requisite point. They are, indeed, the
wonder and admiration of students of political philos
ophy, everywhere.
In matters of public as well as of municipal interest,
the people were their own masters. The representa
tive bodies which they elected appointed the govern
or's council, and directed our militia, judicial, and
revenue system. No tax had ever been levied upon
us by imperial authority. The people themselves,
had thus become trained to self government, to which
they had shown themselves entirely competent.
Now the so-called Revolution, in its beginning, was
the people's determination to maintain possession of
this inheritance which they had received from their
ancestors, and to perpetuate the system which had
been in force for a century and more. They were,
in short, not innovators, but conservators.
The growth and prosperity of the colonies, how
ever, excited the jealousy of the mother country; and
a system of taxation was resolved upon, in order that

STAMP ACT — PORT BILL. 17
the colonies might become a direct source of rev
enue. In 1765, the odious Stamp Act was passed; but was
resisted by our people so strenuously, that it was re
pealed. Parliament, however, nullified the effect of
the repeal, by reasserting the principle that they had a
right, both to tax the colonies, and to legislate for them
in all cases whatever. This assertion alarmed the
colonies, and put them in the attitude of resistance.
For they held dear the right of legislation for them
selves; and our own Major Hawley but voiced the
public sentiment, when he openly declared in General
Court, " that he knew not how Parliament could ever
have acquired a right to legislate over the colonies." '
Then came the tea tax, which the people everywhere
met by the resolve to drink no tea.
The oppressive Boston Port Bill, which followed,
was met by the " solemn league and covenant " to
use no English goods during the continuance of the
blockade ; a resolution which other open ports pat
riotically shared. It was requested that all the peo
ple of the province should unite in this resolution to
use no imported goods. Governor Gage issued a
proclamation forbidding the people to subscribe to the
agreement ; and threatening, if they did so, to trans
port them to England to be tried for treason. An
entry in the Belchertown records of this period, is of
interest, as showing the effect of the threat upon the
people of this region. Chose ten men " to inspect
the town, and see that there is not any goods exposed
to sale in Belchertown, that were imported after the
1st day of December last."
After the Port Bill came the Restraining Acts, the
design of which was to, exclude us from the coast fish-
3

18 REGULATION ACTS OF 1774.
eries. The royal Governors, Bernard, Hutchinson, and
Gage, had proceeded on the assumption that the leg
islature of Massachusetts must act in entire subordi
nation to the administration in England ; and the evi
dent determination of Gage to insist upon it, intensi
fied the popular discontent. The military occupation
of the province, one incident of which had been the
Boston Massacre, increased the alarm.
But the measures which, of all others, if success
ful, would have been fatal to home rule, and the de
struction of the inherited popular liberty, were what
are known as the " Regulation Acts of 1774." These
ordained that the governor's council, as well as him
self, should be chosen by the king, who also was to
hold in his hands the superior judges. Furthermore
the inferior judges, and the sheriffs, were made de
pendent upon the will of the governor, — the king's
creature ; while to the sheriffs, creatures of the gov
ernor, was entrusted the selection of jurors. Thus
almost all officers were to be made creatures of the
royal will. Besides, England itself proposed to take
custody of the more important cases at law, trans
porting alleged offenders for trial. But the heaviest
blow at our liberties, which these acts proposed, was
the destruction of the town meeting, as a theatre for
the expression of opinion and public discussion. It
was decreed that no meetings should be held, saving
for the election of municipal officers, except by ex
press consent of the royal governor ; and that only
such matters as he allowed should be discussed.
The people saw that their ancient liberties were
departing, and that time honored customs were being
disallowed more and more ; and they determined upon
resistance. " We broke no chain j" said Mr. Dana in

RESISTANCE. 19
his oration at the Lexington Centennial, "we pre
pared to strike down any hand that might attempt to
lay one upon us. There was not one institution, law,
or custom, political or social, from the mountain top
to the sea-shore, which we cared to change. We
were then content to go on as parts of the British
empire, holding that slack and easy allegiance we al
ways held, on the old terms of self-government and
home rule." But that was not to be allowed, and
our people determined to resist encroachments. Al
ready, even before these last acts subversive of the
chartered rights of the province, our honored towns
man, Major Hawley, at that time a leading member
of the colonial assembly, had become convinced of the
necessity for action ; and had publicly declared that,
" if the people would maintain their rights and liber
ties, they must fight for them."
For the sake of concert of action and public utter
ance, meetings of the people were everywhere held.
Those assembling put themselves in peril ; for in so
doing they set the new law at defiance. Berkshire
held a Congress at Stockbridge, and took a noble and
patriotic stand in regard to the evils that threatened
our liberties. Among their recommendations was
one that the 14th of July should be observed as a day
of fasting and prayer, " to implore the Divine assist
ance that He would interpose and in mercy avert those
evils with which we are threatened." A Pittsfield
town meeting declared that they viewed it of the
greatest importance to the well being of the province,
that the people of it " utterly refuse the least submission
to the said acts, and, on no consideration to counte
nance the taking place of those acts among us, but re
sist them to the last extremity."

20 COUNTY CONVENTION.
To this period belongs an unsigned paper found
among the documents of Col. Elisha Porter of Had
ley, to which I have been kindly allowed access.
" Voted, that we will never take, hold, exercise, or
execute, any commission, office, or employment what
ever, under, by virtue of, or in any manner derived
from, any authority pretended, or attempted to be
given, by a late act of the British Parliament, entitled
'An Act for the Better Regulating of the Govern
ment of the Province of Massachusetts Bay in New
England ; ' and that we will heartily concur with the
people of this county and province, in using our ut
most endeavors to maintain, secure, and defend, the
charter, and constitutional rights of the people of this
province ; and transmit them inviolate to posterity."
I hazard the opinion that this was a copy, or per
haps first draft, of a vote passed in a Hadley town
meeting, which sent delegates to a convention of
Hampshire County, held in Northampton, September
22 and 23, 1774, " to consult upon measures to be
taken in this time of general distress in the province,
occasioned by the late attacks of the British ministry
upon the constitution of said province."
The president of this convention was Timothy Dan-
ielson of Brimfield, who had just had the honor, with
thirteen others, among them John Adams and James
Bowdoin,to be rejected from the council by Governor
Gage, after an election by the General Court ; and
who, with others, is mentioned by Bradford, after the
Otises, father and son, Samuel Adams, and Major
Hawley, as among the leaders in opposing the arbi
trary measures of the British ministry.
This convention passed, with great unanimity, a
series of resolutions, in which they declared that the

FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 21
county did not intend to withdraw from the king ; but
that the charter of the province ought to be kept in
violate. The resolutions also characterized the acts
of the British Parliament as " subversive," and the
acts of Governor Gage, the rightfulness of whose au
thority they doubted, as destructive of their rights ;
declared the holding of a Provincial Congress at Con
cord to be necessary, as well as the holding of town
meetings ; and exhorted the people to be diligent to
acquaint themselves with the military art, under the
direction of such persons as they might choose, and
to furnish themselves with arms and ammunition.
Conventions, with similar results, were held in most
of the other counties in the State. Thus, while the
people of our county declared their wish to be loyal
to their sovereign, they also showed their determina
tion to maintain their vested and ancestral rights,
even if, as Hawley had declared and as seemed likely,
a resort to arms must be taken.
The necessity of a Provincial Congress, which the
Convention declared, arose, in part, from the fact that
the General Court had not been held for some time ;
and that, if held, it was liable to be prorogued at any
time, by the governor. Delegates, having been ap
pointed, assembled in Salem in October, 1774 ; chose
John Hancock president ; and adjourned to Concord.
Our members of that Congress were Dea. Elias Ly
man of Southampton, and Col. Seth Pomeroy of
Northampton, a veteran who had served under Pep-
perell at the reduction of Louisburg. The latter was
a member of the committee who were directed to pre
pare an address to Governor Gage, and one of three
general officers who were chosen to command the
military of the province. Another of the three was

22 PREPARATIONS FOR RESISTANCE.
Colonel Ward, who afterwards held general command
at the time of the Battle of Bunker Hill, and who
was made one of the first four major-generals by the
Continental Congress. The third was Colonel Thomas
who held command at Roxbury on that memorable
day. Colonel Thomas, Colonel Pomeroy, and Colonel
Heath, also of our colony, were three of the first eight
brigadier-generals of the Continental army.
This first Provincial Congress also appointed a com
mittee of safety with executive powers. They also
directed municipal tax officers not to pay money to
the treasurer of the province, who was under the in
fluence of the governor ; but to Henry Gardner, Esq.,
whom they constituted receiver-general. Ours was
the first town to respond, paying to Treasurer Gard
ner, by the hand of Major Hawley, the first money he
had received. At this time, Belchertown " voted by a
great majority, to defend the constables, both in col
lecting their taxes, (as some threaten in this day of
calamity, now all law is stopped and all executive
authority is put down,) and in paying over the money
when collected, to said Gardner."
The standing committee appointed by the Provin
cial Congress, many of whom were mihtary officers,
were directed to ascertain the quantity of arms, can
non, and gunpowder in the province, and to encour
age military discipline among the citizens. Militia
companies were speedily organized everywhere, and
the people determined to be ready for armed resist
ance. Southampton showed its determination to be
ready, by voting a sum of money for some person to
instruct the Minute Men in learning the military art ;
also to give the Minute Men ninepence a time, for six
half days in learning military exercises.

THE CONFLICT BEGUN. 23
To the point of armed resistance, events were rap
idly tending. In February, 1775, Parliament declared
Massachusetts in rebellion. The instructions of Dart
mouth to Governor Gage were, " The sovereignty of
the king over the colonies requires a full and absolute
submission." To this Gage replied, " The time for
conciliation is over ; the forces must take the field ; "
and he called for twenty thousand soldiers, to enforce
the " subversive " acts of Parliament. Meetings of
the people were still held, some of which Gage at
tempted to disperse by his soldiers. Massachusetts
was under martial law. The spirit of the people was
resolute and undaunted. The issue was fairly made
up. Neither party would retire ; and on the 19th of
April the collision came at Lexington and Concord ;
with what results the country knows ; and all the
world knows ; for the first shot was heard around the
world. The Provincial Congress had adjourned to May; but
its Committee of Safety, in pursuance of their execu
tive powers, at once convened it ; and it proceeded to
adopt those measures which were " indispensable for
the salvation of the country," one of which they
deemed to be the raising of an army of thirty thou
sand men. They called for nearly half that number
from this State. The committee had already, by cir
cular, urged the towns to lose no time in sending troops
to Boston. " Our all is at stake ; " they said, " every
minute is infinitely precious." The appeal met a
prompt response. Men flew at once to arms. A few
brief hours, after receipt of the tidings, sufficed to
start a company from many a town. Hampshire was
not behind her sister counties. Col. Timothy Dan-
ielson of Brimfield, whom Gage had recently rejected

24 UPRISING OF THE PEOPLE.
from sitting in the council, led a Hampshire regiment
to meet Gage in arms.
In this regiment was the Northampton company of
sixty-nine men, commanded by Capt. Jonathan Allen,
and Lieuts. Oliver Lyman and James Shepherd. The
Southampton company of forty-six men, a few of
whom were from Northampton and Norwich, was
commanded by Capt. Lemuel Pomeroy, and Lieut.
Jonathan Wales. Nine days after the battle, South
ampton voted " to do something to support our
friends and brethren that have gone into the army."
" Voted to pay for two-thirds of the provision that is
provided for Capt. Lemuel Pomeroy's company." A
committee of nine was chosen to collect the provision
and dispatch it by team.
Capt. Abel Thayer of Williamsburg could not wait
for his company, and hastened for the scene of action
with ten men, where he was joined by twenty-one
others. The other towns were equally zealous. Col.
Ruggles Woodbridge of South Hadley, commanded
a Hampshire regiment, part of which served with
the gallant Prescott within the redoubt at Bunker
Hill. At midday, April 21, tidings reached Berkshire, and
the next morning Colonel Patterson of Lenox was
leading to Boston a regiment of northern Berkshire
men, completely armed and equipped, and mostly
uniformed. At Bunker Hill this regiment built and
defended Fort No. 3 in Charlestown ; aided in the
siege of Boston till its surrender ; proceeded thence to
Canada via. New York ; retreated with the army to
Ticonderoga where it fortified Mount Independence ;
rejoined Washington in New Jersey ; crossed the Del
aware with him, and fought at Princeton and Tren-

POMEROY AT BUNKER HILL. 25
ton; and was in at Burgoyne's surrender; thus serving
through the whole period most gallantly and with
fearful losses.
Bunker Hill convinced both ¦ parties that there was
mettle in the provincials. This was a revelation to
the British, and an inspiration to the continental lead
ers and people. One of the events of that glorious
day is matter of local pride to us. Colonel Pomeroy,
the veteran of eighty years, was early on the field, a
volunteer like Warren, without a command. When
the day was ' lost, he was among the last to leave the
field ; and, waving his shattered musket, he sought, as
Putnam was also doing, (but both of them in vain,) to
rally the troops upon Bunker Hill, after they had
been driven, without ammunition, from the entrench
ments on Breeds Hill.
In July, 1775, the Continental Congress declared :
" Our cause is just, our union is perfect, our internal
resources are great, and we solemnly declare, before
God and the world, that, exerting all the means and
power which our Creator hath bestowed, we will em
ploy the arms, which our implacable enemies have com
pelled us to use, with unabating perseverance, and at
every hazard, for the preservation of our liberties,
being resolved to die free men, rather than live
slaves. But we have not raised an army with the
ambitious design of separating from Great Britain and
¦ establishing independent States."
The logic of events is mightier than the purposes
of men. Our people did not intend independence at
that time. But God intended independence, and in
his good time it came. " Whom the gods will de
stroy they first make mad." The king and his min
istry were madly bent upon subjugating the colonies,
4

26 INDEPENDENCE DAWNING.
and they would hear to nothing short of it. They
employed troops of hireling soldiers from the conti
nent. They sought to stir up the merciless savages
of our forests to butcher and scalp us. By such
measures they rapidly drove the people to resolve
upon separation.
No one can fail to notice the correspondence be
tween Independence and Emancipation, in this par
ticular. Neither was at first intended by the people,
who were God's instruments in effecting them ; but
the course of events, and a good Providence, drove us
to both.
Gradually the minds of the leaders of public opin
ion in Massachusetts, had been drawing toward the
conclusion that the true course was to strike for abso
lute independence. When they urged the idea upon
their brethren in the States to the southward, they
did not always meet a favorable response. But the
king and his ministry were their best allies, constantly
furnishing them with fresh arguments. The transfer
of the theater of war to New York and the South, was
most opportune in preparing the way for this event.
The act of Parliament interdicting trade with all the
colonies, and making their goods upon the high seas
liable to seizure and forfeit, and their persons to im
pressment, conspired, with other acts, to hasten the
decision. All this while the clergy were lending their power
ful aid to the patriotic cause. The Provincial Con
gress urged that they should adapt their discourses to
the times. This they were not slow to do. Their
sermons breathed the spirit of freedom, and not sel
dom were powerful philippics against their oppressors.
Their prayers were powerful with God in procuring

PATRIOTISM OF THE CLERGY. 27
his intervention, for they were men of faith. " We
have from our pulpits," says Thatcher, " most fervent
and pious effusions to the throne of divine grace, in
behalf of our bleeding, afflicted country." At one of
their annual gatherings, they sent an address to the
Provincial Congress, expressing their " sympathy for
the distresses of their much .injured and oppressed
country," and commending them and the army to the
protection and guidance of God. After a fearless
election sermon by Gad Hitchcock of Pembroke, from
the words " when the righteous are in authority the
people rejoice, but when the wicked bear rule the
people mourn," Gage refused the request of the as
sembly to order a fast, alleging that " the request
was only to give an orportunity for sedition to flow
from the pulpit." The clergy, in turn, refused to
stultify themselves, when he requested them to ren
der thanks to God that their liberties had been pre
served to them. Edward Everett says of them, that
they " rendered services second to no others, in en
lightening and animating the popular mind on the
great question at issue."
During the intense excitement in Boston over the
Stamp Act, Rev. Jonathan Mahew, pastor of the
West church, denounced the act with unmitigated se
verity. Of Rev. Dr. Cooper of Brattle Street, pastor
of Hancock, Warren, and many other leaders of the
people, the London Political Begister for 1780, says :
" though a minister of peace, and, to all outward ap
pearance, a meek and heavenly man, yet he was one
of the chief instruments in stirring up the people to
take arms." The annual election sermons of this pe
riod, preached before the Governor and General
Court, are specimens of patriotic address, which em-

28 PATRIOTISM OF THE CLERGY.
phatically attest the courage, patriotism, and foresee
ing wisdom of the authors.
Nor were they content with uttering their sentiments
only in the pulpit. They were always present in the
town meetings, aiding in the deliberations and decis
ions of the people. They encouraged the people as
they went forth to do battle in the just cause. Em
erson of Concord, rallying and encouraging his parish
ioners in the gray dawn of that eventful morning
which made Lexington and Concord household words,
is a sample of our clergy of that day, not many of
whom had his opportunityj though many of them had
his spirit. They were ever ready as chaplains, or
even as soldiers, to encounter the perils of the field.
At this very time of which we are speaking, Rev.
Robert Breck, for almost half a century pastor of the
old First Church in Springfield, though sixty-two
years of age, was with Colonel Porter's Hampshire
regiment, amid the snows of Canada, with Arnold and
Wooster, seeking in vain to retrieve the disaster of
Montgomery's defeat and heroic death. Colonel
Porter's diary repeatedly mentions him ; now preach
ing, though opportunities in that fearful campaign
were rare ; now accompanying him to confer with
other officers ; now leaving the regiment and going to
spend a few days with the sick at Fort George at the
head of Lake George. Long before the collision came
Rev. Jonathan Judd of Southampton, pastor of some of
our people, had shown his patriotism and readiness to
share the sacrifices of his parishioners, by sending to
them a communication in which he says, " if such a
day of difficulty and distress should come," (referring
to the operation of the Stamp Act,) " I will join with
a committee of yours; and they and I will reduce

INDEPENDENCE FORECAST. 29
the salary as low as it can be reasonably thought
proper." When the " day of difficulty and distress "
came, the pastor was, no doubt, ready for his share of
sacrifice. Several months before the declaration, Massachu
setts refused to recognize the king's authority, in the
caption of public documents ; and these were accord
ingly issued in the name of the Government and the
people. In May, 1776, the legislature passed an order
calling on the people to express their opinion as to
formal and entire separation from Great Britain ; and
requesting them to instruct their representatives.
The responses were not equivocal. The record of
one of our towns shall serve as a sample. " At a full
meeting of the inhabitants of Belchertown, held at
the meeting-house, June 25, 1776, Dea. Aaron Ly
man was chosen moderator. The question was put
by the moderator, whether, should the honorable
Continental Congress, for the safety of the United
Colonies in America, declare their independence of
the kingdom of Great Britain, they, the said inhabi
tants, would solemnly engage, with their lives and
fortunes, to support them in the measure ; and it
passed in the affirmative by a universal vote." As
did Belchertown so did Hampshire ; so did Massachu
setts, with substantial unanimity. They expressed
their opinion ; they instructed their representatives ;
but they, of course, referred the decision to the Con
tinental Congress. '
Many leading men wrote to the delegates in Con
gress, to urge the measure. And here the foresight
and patriotism of Hampshire's great civilian. Major
Hawley, shone with peculiar lustre. " Hawley," says
Bancroft, "was the first to discern through the dark-

30 INDEPENDENCE DECLARED.
ness, the coming national government of the republic,
even while it still lay far below the horizon ; and he
wrote from Watertown, where the General Court was
held, to Samuel Adams : ' The eyes of all this Conti
nent are fastened on your body, to see whether you
act with firmness and intrepidity, with the spirit and
dispatch which our situation calls for. It is time for
your body to fix on periodical, annual elections ; nay,
to form into a Parliament of two houses.' "
Samuel Adams also received a message from James
Warren. " The king's silly proclamation will put an
end to petitioning. Movements worthy of your au
gust body are expected. A declaration of independ
ence and treaties with foreign powers." " This intel
ligence will make a plain path for you, though a dan
gerous one," wrote Abigail Adams to her husband,
John Adams. " Let us separate. Let us renounce
them." In an autograph letter of June 18th from Elbridge
Gerry, one of our representatives in Congress, to
Colonel Elisha Porter of Hadley, then in command of
a Hampshire regiment in Canada, Gerry tells Porter :
" Things are going on well in the colonies, in respect
to independency, confederation, etc. ; and the ques
tion relative to the former is to be agitated in Con
gress the 1st of July."
The eventful day came. All the colonies were
represented. The delegates of each colony, except
New York, had received full power of action. The
debate upon the proposition was not concluded until
the next day ; when the delegates from twelve col
onies, the thirteenth afterwards acceding, unanimous
ly voted that " these colonies are, and of right ought
to be, free and independent States."

MAJOR HAWLEY. 31
Jefferson's draft of the declaration of the reasons
for the act, and of the principles upon which they
proposed to proceed, was debated and amended on
the third, and was given to the world on the fourth.
And so, for now a hundred years, we have stood be
fore the world, free and united States. Let us give
God the glory. Vain would have been the help of
man. Futile would have been the efforts of patriot
statesmen and patriot soldiers, except that a just God
stretched out his arm of might to defend a just cause ;
and that a wise God gave foresight to the men, who,
at that and in subsequent periods, have shaped our
Government. MAJOR JOSEPH HAWLEY.
The civil history of the period requires, as its com
plement, the military history, even as the statesmen
could by no means have given us independence, if the
people had refused to fight. But before I sketch our
part in these gloomy events, I would pay an additional
word of passing tribute to Hampshire's great com
moner, our townsman, Maj. Joseph Hawley. He was,
probably, the foremost lawyer of the Hampshire bar
at this time, though Colonel Worthington of Spring
field, and Esquire Lyman of Suffield, (which was then
in Hampshire,) were forensic foemen worthy of his
steel. Through all this period he was a member of
the General Court, and, as Hildreth says, the most in
fluential of all the country members. Few had more
to do than he in shaping the pohcy of the colony ; in
disputing with the royal governors their encroach
ments upon our rights ; or in bringing to pass the final
issue. Upon the repeal of the Stamp Act, Parliament
recommended, and Governor Bernard demanded in
demnity for the persons who had suffered in the riots

32 MAJOR HAWLEY.
consequent upon the attempted execution of the act.
The matter was long pending, and frequently in hot
dispute, in which the governor found Major Hawley
one of his staunchest opponents. The firm resolves
in answer to the governor's ungracious speech, and
the bill which finally settled the matter, were pre
pared by James Otis, Jr., Samuel Adams, Samuel
Dexter, and Joseph Hawley, of whom Bradford re
marks : " They were the most active and influential
patriots of that period."
In May, 1770, Hutchinson, acting governor, ille
gally ordered the General Court to meet in Cam
bridge instead of Boston. This provoked strong oppo
sition, which was conducted especially by Samuel and
John Adams, Major Hawley, and John Hancock.
In June, 1772, it was proposed that the governor
and the superior judges should be paid from the
treasury of Great Britain. The effect of this meas
ure would have been to make all these officers
indifferent to the voice of the representatives of the
people. Of course it evoked hot opposition. The
several messages to the governor from the house,
upon this subject, were prepared by Major Hawley,
Samuel Adams, John Hancock, W. Heath, and J.
Warren. In January, 1773, in a long address to the General
Court, Hutchinson advocated the absolute suprem
acy of Parliament, whose mandates, he claimed, the
colonies "ought to obey without hesitation or in
quiry." Here again, in making up the reply of the
house, the abiUty and resolution of Hawley were re
quired. With him, in the preparation of the reply,
were associated Samuel Adams, John Hancock, J.
Foster, and William Philips. With Samuel Adams he

MAJOR HAWLEY. 33
had most friendly relations, to whom his legal knowl
edge and sound sense were often of great service.
When the Massachusetts delegates to the first Con
tinental Congress were on their way to Philadelphia,
at Springfield they received from the Hampshire
statesman a note, in which he said : " We must fight,
if we can not otherwise rid ourselves of British taxa
tion. Fight we must finally, unless Britain retreats.
Our salvation depends upon a persevering union.
Every grievance of any one colony must be held as a
grievance of the whole."
Nor was it only in opposition to England that his
services were called into requisition. As an example
of other services, it may be mentioned that a stand
ing dispute of this period, between New York and
ourselves, as to our boundary, was at length adjusted
while he was chairman of the commission on the part
of our State.
Bradford, in a brief description of the leaders of
this period in our house of representatives, James
Otis, Jr., Samuel Adams, Thomas Cushing, James
Bowdoin, Samuel Dexter, Joseph Hawley, Thomas
Saunders, and Joseph Gerrish, compares Hawley to
Otis. "Ardent, zealous, and eloquent; and, in his
writings against the friends of arbitrary power, full
of severity and sarcasm." Of him. Dr. Dwight says :
" He was one of the ablest and most influential men
in Massachusetts Bay, for a considerable period be
fore the Revolution — an event in which few men
had more efficiency. He was a very able advocate.
Many men have spoken with more eloquence and
grace. I have never heard one speak with more force.
His mind, like his eloquence, was grave, austere and
powerful." The following good story is told of him

34 MAJOR HAWLEY.
and his colleague in the General Court, Mr. Strong.
(Probably Caleb Strong, then a young man just ris
ing of thirty years of age, who had recently been
admitted to the bar, but who afterwards became no
less eminent than Hawley ; serving twenty-five years
as county attorney ; several times in the Governor's
council and State senate ; member of the convention
which framed the constitution ; one of our first United
States senators, to which position he was re-elected ;
and governor of the State eleven years, including the
period of the second war with England, to which he,
in common with the dominant party in the State, was
opposed.) Hawley, it seems, was subject to seasons
of despondency. On their return from the General
Court at one time, he was deploring the poor prospect
of success in the Revolutionary struggle, " We shall
both be hung," said he to Mr. Strong. "No, Major
Hawley," was the reply, " probably not more than
forty will be hung ; we shall escape." " I'll have you
to know," said Hawley, " that I am one of the
first three," and the next day he made an eloquent
and patriotic speech to his fellow-citizens. And he
was not so far wrong as many men are in their esti
mate of themselves.
At this time we were a part of Northampton, and
have no local Revolutionary history, except what we
have in common with that town and Southampton.
The history of this patriot and statesman is, there
fore, matter for just pride to us as a town ; for he
was our representative, sent to the General Court
by the votes of our ancestors, whom he served in
that body repeatedly, preferring to remain there
rather than to sit in the council, to which he was
several times elected by his colleagues. Not that

INVASION OF CANADA. 35
Northampton can monopolize his fame. His name
adds luster to old Hampshire and the whole Com
monwealth ; for he was one of the Revolutionary
worthies. MILITARY HISTORY OF THE PERIOD.
But the story of our people's share in the military
history must needs be told ; for, though sad, it was
patriotic, and was the inevitable sequel of the decis
ions of our civic leaders. The people were the ones
who saw and felt the fighting. All honor to them,
for their patient and heroic sacrifices.
Between the battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill,
Ticonderoga had been captured. It seemed to Haw
ley and others, that the government ought to organ
ize a force to hold the defensible positions about the
lower Champlain, if nothing more ; and they accord
ingly urged the measure. It was, on the whole,
judged expedient to push northward rather than re
main at lower Champlain ; and thus to secure Canada
if possible. Montgomery, one of the ablest of our gen
erals, was placed in charge ; and met victory till he
re9,ched Quebec. Here everything was against him.
To co-operate with him, Washington had detached a
portion of his own force about Boston, and sent them,
under Arnold, by way of the Kennebec, and through
the forests of Maine. Lemuel Bates and others from
Southampton belonged to this expedition. One of
Arnold's captains was a Hampshire man, Elihu Ly
man, brother of Captain Josiah Lyman of Belcher
town, of whom mention will soon be made. The
march of Arnold was attended with incredible hard
ships, in the form of hunger, fatigue and cold, almost
beyond endurance. Among the troops were some

36 TROOPS SENT TO QUEBEC.
sailors, who became so ungovernable, that Captain,
afterwards Major, Lyman was deputed to take them
back to Boston. This he finally succeeded in doing,
although many times on the homeward march his
life was in great peril from them. Arnold at length
reached Quebec, but with ranks greatl}'' thinned, and
with only five rounds of ammunition to a man.
Montgomery soon joined him, but the combined force
numbered not more than 1,200 men ; and the time of
many of these was soon to expire. To make the sit-,
nation more deplorable, it was the dead of Winter.
A desperate, and, as it proved, disastrous assault was
made in the teeth of a howling storm, on the last
night but one of 1775. The gallant Montgomery
fell ; and with him many brave men suffered death or
capture. But the dauntless spirit of Arnold was not
yet quelled ; and he determined to maintain the siege
as far as possible. Montgomery's fall roused the
spirit of the colonists, who determined to retrieve the
disaster. Without waiting to consult Congress, Washington
recommended Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and
Connecticut, each to raise and send forward a regi^-
ment. The command of our regiment he gave to
Col. Elisha Porter of Hadley, in a letter which Por
ter's descendants preserve as the most precious
among numerous documentary relics of their ances
tor. Washington desires him '• to use the utmost
diligence and dispatch possible, to complete the regi
ment, and march it into Canada by the shortest and
best way, that, from your knowledge of the country,
and from the best information you can get, you
think will be the most expeditious. The necessity
of reinforcing our troops posted, and forming the

COL. porter's diary. 37
blockade of Quebec, is too apparent to need dwell
ing on. I would have you order each company to
march as fast as they are raised, the whole put
ting themselves under command of the general or
commanding officer in Canada, as fiist as they arrive
there." This regiment was composed largely of Hampshire
troops. The diary of Colonel Porter, covering a por
tion of their period of service, is a most interesting
relic, among his papers. From it the following frag
mentary extracts are made, since it gives an authen
tic picture of the times, which will be of interest to
us ; especially as some of our town's people form a
part of the picture.
Porter's appointment was made January 19, 1776.
For two months he was filling up the regiment, and
dispatching companies to the front. February • 4th,
he went to Northampton, and gave orders to Captain
Chapin and Lieutenant Hunt, who, it will be observed,
commanded our company in the expedition. He got
them off in advance of himself. March 22d, he got
off Captain Josiah Lyman's, the Belchertown com
pany. He himself set out the next day. About the
29th, he met a man, three weeks from Quebec, who
had seen Captain Chapin's company at St. Johns.
Made the passage from Skeenesborough (now White
hall) to Ticonderoga in boats, he and Captains
Lyman and Shepherd, with some of their men, cut
ting several miles through ice six inches thick. April
17th, set out from Ticonderoga with one hundred and
forty-four men. Reached St. Johns on the 19th.
Ordered by Arnold to join Wooster at Quebec, which
they reached on the 27th, camping on the Plains of
Abraham.- . Saw several of Captain Chapin's company.

38 COL. porter's diary.
which was five miles distant. All have had the small
pox but William Clark ; mostly recovered. Drew
ammunition. Carried ladders near to the walls, un
der cover of the fog. Under arms upon the heights.
General Thomas took command. Enemy about to
be strongly reinforced. Sent to Captain Chapin to
bring off his men at once. In line of battle on the
heights. Ordered to retreat. Marched fifteen miles.
Halted at 8 p. m. Intermittent sleep. Off at mid
night. At sunrise got two loaves of bread for sev
enty men. Fired upon by ships. Marched -thirty
miles. Men from hospital, scarce able to walk, with
the rest. Heavy cannonade. Can't make a stand
for want of provisions, and of everything but can
non. Sick men from Quebec return, except William
Clark of Captain Chapin's company, who was left dy
ing. John Davis and Walker of the same company,
who were not able to be moved, doubtless perished.
Half allowance of meat to-day. No meat for three
days. Regiment ordered to St. Johns. Appointed
commander of the garrison at Chambly. General
Thomas dies of small-pox. Captain Chapin one of
the bearers. Heavy firing below St. Johns. Gen
eral Thompson and others prisoners. Worked till
midnight with all my men, in getting up bateaux.
Rained very hard. Then turned in. By light turned
out on fatigue duty. Alarm in the afternoon.
Worked all night in hauling bateaux up the rapids.
Burnt the fort at Chambly. Marched to St. Johns.
Colonel Stark's and my regiment brought up the
rear. Council of War decides to retire to Crown
Point. One hundred and twenty-six of my regiment
sick. Had a present of fresh beef — a great rarity.
Not enough bateaux. Marched along the shore.

committees of safety. 39
bringing up the rear. Lodged on the ground with
out a covering. Men in an ugly swamp. A good
sermon by Mr. Breck. Clothing divided among the
soldiers. July 16th received the agreeable news
of independency being declared by the Congress.
About noon, two or three kettles of brandy grog
evidenced our joy at the news, which we expressed
in proper toasts.
At this time they were at Crown Point, and reached
Ticonderoga the next day, where the army was di
vided into four brigades. Porter's regiment being
assigned to Arnold's brigade. Here Colonel Porter
was frequently employed in courts-martial, in one of
which Arnold was tried for some misdemeanor and
reported to Congress. A little later, Capt. Joseph
Lyman of Northampton arrived with a company of
ninety-nine recruits. The diary ends August 25th,
at which time Colonel Porter reports that many of
his men were sick of fever and ague and other
diseases. When the men of this regiment returned I am not
able to ascertain. But it is certain that Colonel Por
ter had a command at the surrender of Burgoyne a
year later; and it is to be presumed that the regi
ment was recruited, and continued through the cam
paign, which culminated in the victory at Saratoga.
The Committees of Correspondence and Safety
played an important part throughout the province, in
the home management of affairs. They were ap
pointed in every town, early in the great struggle,
even before appeal was made to arms.
They looked after deserters and tories ; they con
sulted for the public weal ; and were in communi
cation with both the civil and the military authori-

40 committees of safety.
ties, and with one another. As a specimen of the
spirit with which they were appointed, the following
vote, passed by Belchertown, may be given. Hav
ing appointed a committee of safety, February 9,
1775, " to confer with similar committees from other
towns," it was "voted by a great majority, that, if
we hear of any routs, riots, or other unlawful assem
blies, we will immediately inform one or more of the
committee, and will, in compliance to their advice, do
anything that is reasonable, or within our power, to
suppress them." It was also recommended, that, if
they could not be otherwise suppressed, the aid of the
committees from other towns be invoked. This favor
they promised to reciprocate in case of need.
Northampton's first Committee of Correspondence,
Inspection, and Safety, consisted of the following rep
resentative men : Maj. Joseph Hawley, Robert Breck,
Ezra Clark, Dea. Josiah Clark, Jacob Parsons, Col.
Seth Pomeroy, Elijah Hunt, Ephraim Wright, Elias
Lyman, Lieut. Elijah Clark, Capt. Joseph Lyman,
who afterwards led a company of recruits to join the
northern army, Quartus Pomeroy, Martin Phelps, Ca
leb Strong, Jr., and Dr. Levi Shepherd.
There had, however, been a previous Committee
of Correspondence, and also one of Inspection. These
two were superseded by the new committee, which
was to have the whole matter in hand.
The next committee consisted of the same persons,
excepting that Abner Barnard and John Lyman were
substituted for Col. Seth Pomeroy and Elijah Hunt.
The Southampton Committee of Safety consisted
of Jonathan Judd, Jr., Samuel Burt, Elias Lyman,
Aaron Clark, Jonathan Clark, Timothy Clark, Sam
uel Pomeroy, Samuel Clapp, and Israel Sheldon.

committees of safety. 41
May 8, 1775, the Provincial Congress authorized
the Committees of Correspondence and Selectmen of
the towns, " to take effectual care to disarm all who
will not give assurance of their good intentions in re
gard to the interests of the country," and to " put it
out of their power to obstruct, by any means what
ever, the necessary measures for the common de
fence." This was a precaution made necessary by
the tory spirit, which here and there exhibited itself.
Local conventions of the Committees of Safety
were occasionally held for mutual conference. One
was held at Northampton, February 5, 1777, at which
most of the towns of old Hampshire were represented.
Nathaniel Dwight, chairman of Belchertown's com
mittee, presided over the convention. They took
into consideration the suffering condition qf the
northern army, and sought to stir up the Committee
of Supplies to send relief. Various other recom
mendations were made, one of which was a peti
tion to the General Court, to devise measures to sup
press toryism. They complain of " our inimical
brethren," who, it appears, sneered at the General
Court ; defied the selectmen to draft them ; counter
feited the paper currency ; paid no regard to the Com
mittees of Safety; and endeavored to prevent the
raising of a new levy of men.
A complaint rnade by Capt. Josiah Lyman of the
Belchertown company in Colonel Porter's regiment,
just before he set out for Canada, will illustrate this
state of things. The document was addressed to
the home Committee of Safety, of which Nathaniel
Dwight, president of the aforesaid convention, was
chairman, and, with sundry omissions, is as follows :
" Josiah Lyman complains, and says that he was at

42 committees of safety.
Ware, with orders from Colonel Porter to enlist men
to join the regiment in the proposed expedition to
Canada ; and he and Luke Chapin having got seven
men willing to enlist. Colonel  tells them, that
the head men of the town was no ways obliged to
encourage their men to go, and appeared to talk dis
couraging about their enlisting. Colonel  's son
Moses said Colonel Porter was a d — d Tory, and he
had as lief go under Tom Gage as go under him, and
that he would not go under him if he might be his
lieutenant-colonel. Colonel  said he had some
scruples upon his mind about him. I, the said
Josiah, queried why he voted for Porter to go to
Canada. He said he did not think he was a Tory,
but that he was too fierce and heady. In all which
I, the said Josiah, think I was much injured and
abused." Luke Chapin, and several other eye-witnesses of
the affair, confirm Captain Lyman's charges. Whether
anything was ever done about it is not known. At
this time, the aforesaid Colonel  was in command
of the Fourth Hampshire regiment of militia, but was
superseded by Colonel Porter upon his return from
active service. That his arraignment of Porter was
unjust, the confidence of Washington in Porter, as
well as his own supersedure, abundantly proves.. His
motive was, probably, not Toryism, but personal
jealousy ; for he seems to have retained the confi
dence of his townsmen, so far that he was afterwards
influential in town affairs.
All accounts agree that the northern army suffered
severe hardships. They were insufficiently supplied
with clothing, and were often short of food. Small
pox and fevers ravaged the army fearfully. Of the

committees of safety. 43
garrison at Ticonderoga, a few months after the period
covered by Porter's diary, Bancroft says : " The sick
were very numerous and perishing in misery, and all
suffered from want of clothing." There was, also, some
lack of discipline, and consequently of efficiency, ow
ing partly to the short terms of enlistment, and partly
to the independent spirit of the citizen soldiers, who
were patriotic, but had not fully learned the need of
subordination in military affairs.
On account of the hardship to be endured, deser
tions were frequent; and here the services of the
Committees of Safety were called into requisition by
the officers in the field. There is preserved among
Colonel Porter's papers, a letter to himself from
Major Hawley, chairman of our Committee of Safety.
It is interesting, as showing the current state of
affairs, the functions of the Committees of Safety, the
motive and spirit of the deserters, and the attitude of
the people towards them. It is dated July 7, 1776,
and is as follows : " Sir : — Mr. Breck lately received
a letter from Captain Chapin and Lieutenant Hunt,"
(who were in command of our men in Porter's regi
ment,) "informing him that several of their company
had deserted. We immediately wrote to the com
mittees of every place where we thought they might
secrete theijaselves, requesting the most effectual
measures to secure them; but before they could have
heard of it, those of this town came. home. When
called before the committee, they declared their de
sign to return back, as soon as they could properly
furnish themselves with the necessary apparel; and
mentioned the want of it as the occasion of their
deserting. They desired the committee to fix the
time of their return. From a consideration of their

44 the spirit of '76.
circumstances, we permitted them to stay till this
day. " We heard that those from Southampton were to
be at Worthington at a particular time, and sent to
apprehend them ; but are now convinced that they
had no design to secrete themselves. They readily
engaged to return, and said they always intended to ;
and seemed extremely sorry for their indiscretion.
As they have all conducted well heretofore, and are
persons of good reputation, we wish and request on
their behalf, that the greatest lenity may be shown
them. The disapprobation of their conduct among
their friends has been some degree of punishment ;
and we beg leave to say that we imagine a temporary
shame for misconduct, in minds that are ingenuous,
will sometimes produce better, effects than punish
ment attended with lasting infamy."
We, certainly, have no occasion to judge them more
severely than did Major Hawley. Many things may
be excused in a half-clad, poorly-fed soldier. The
case was a desperate one, and no wonder that faith
sometimes failed.
Colonel Porter's regiment set out for Canada in
the midst of the early snows of 1776. On the 25th
of June, in the same year, the General Court ordered
five thousand troops to be raised for six months' ser
vice. The Hampshire troops were to reinforce the
northern army, and were offered each a bounty of
£7. The quota of old Hampshire was seven hundred
and fifty-four ; of these, Northampton was to send
forty-seven, and Southampton seventeen. Shortly
after, other regiments were ordered from Hampshire
and Berkshire, to join the northern army. In Sep
tember, Washington called for more of the militia ;

MAJOR CLAPP AND SONS. 45
and the General Court ordered every fifth man to
march. Nor was this enough. In December, one-
eighth of the Hampshire militia were ordered to join
Schuyler and Gates. Bradford, in his History of
Massachusetts, remarks : " Nothing but a devoted
spirit of patriotism, and a strong love of liberty,
could have prompted to such sacrifices and efforts.
In other times, the expenses and exertions of the
year 1776 alone, would have discouraged the inhab
itants. The greater part of the whole male popula
tion was engaged in the public service in the course
of the year. It also required large numbers to attend
the wagons of provisions and stores, and ship carpen
ters were sent to the lake to build boats ; and women
and children were obliged to perform the ordinary
labor of agriculture."
These were stirring times ; and it is to be re
gretted that we have so incomplete a record of the
names of the soldiers who served the country during
this period ; though it seems that it must have in
cluded nearly the whole able-bodied male population.
As an instance of this, it may be related that
Jonathan Clapp, son of Major Jonathan and brother
of Quartermaster Benjamin, who ran the grist mill
on the Manhan, had been compelled to resist his
impulses to join the army, in order to serve the
people at home as a miller, there being no other in
the region. But as news came, in 1777, that the
conflict was approaching between our army and Bur
goyne, he could no longer resist his impulses; and
so he locked his mill and hastened towards the seat
of conflict, though he was too late for the engage
ment. At the time of the battle of Bennington, which

46 DELINQUENTS.
had shortly preceded Burgoyne's defeat, his father.
Major Jonathan, who was in some public service, lay
sick in Pittsfield, in care of the other son, Benjamin.
The roar of the artillery was distinctly heard in Pitts
field, and filled the son with such ardor, that nothing
but the extreme necessity of his father prevented him
from rushing off for the fray.
Who led those companies from the Hamptons,
which followed Captain Chapin's company of Porter's
regiment, during the northern campaign, I am unable
to say, saving that the Northampton records, in 1777,
speak of " the men who w^ent with Capt. Joseph
Lyman to Ticonderoga last Summer." It will be
remembered that Porter, in his diary, speaks of the
arrival of these men. It appears, also, that one. Cap
tain Allen, led another company; for, early in 1777,
the town voted that " the persons who shall now en
gage in the service aforesaid, who belonged to Cap
tain Allen's company and Captain Chapin's company
the last year, both officers and privates, shall have
full compensation for all losses by them sustained in
clothes and other articles." Each of these, and any
others who would enlist, were to be paid a bounty of
£16. It was at this time reported, that some citizens had
failed to do their proper share in promoting the pub
lic cause ; and accordingly the town chose a committee
to see who were delinquent, and to assess them such
sums as they judged to be their share. The clerks
of the militia companies were to collect this money.
Northampton appears at that time to have had four
militia companies ; and the committee on delinquents
in the fourth, which must have been our company,
were Capt. David Lyman, Jonathan Janes, Samuel

CAPTURE OF BURGOYNE. 47
Judd, David Chapman, and -loel Parsons. These, it
will be noticed, are Easthampton names.
At this time, it was seen to be of great importance,
that the enlistments be for three years, in order that
the armies might not be liable to be crippled in a
• crisis, by the expiration of the soldiers' terms. En
listments for this term proceeded very slowly ; and
the full levy was not secured till orders were issued
for the several towns'^ to raise their proportion by
classes, making each class responsible for a man.
The recruiting authorities were to make as good
terms as they could with the men. The records of
Northampton show that this course was taken here.
How many, or who, Easthampton sent is not known ;
but she must have sent her quota.
It was voted at that time, to allow each man, who
had or who would enlist for three years, or during
the war, £30 ; and to pay to certain marines a bounty
of £10 for two years, and of £10 more for another
year. If the families of soldiers in the Continental
army were in need, it was voted to see them sup
plied. April 23, 1777, two battalions of seven hundred
and fifty men each, were ordered from Hampshire
County, for two months' service around Ticonderoga.
This would have required nearly one hundred men
from Northampton. But the cup was not even yet
full. The formidable advance of Burgoyne in Au
gust, demanded larger sacrifices. Berkshire and
Hampshire, and afterward other counties, were or
dered to send on reinforcements. This levy called
out every seventh man in the militia. Large sums
were expended in provisioning the troops, and in
making passable the roads over our western hills.

48 REQUISITIONS OF '78.
Great must have been the rejoicing of our people,
when, at length, tidings came of the severe but victo
rious battles about Saratoga, and of the capitulation
of Burgoyne on the 19th of October. I can never,
however, think of the rejoicings of the victors, with
out thinking, too, of the heartache of those, by the
blood of whose friends the victory was won. Who
of our townsmen fell at Saratoga, I can not tell.
But I make no doubt, that some hearts among us
ached, when the brave victors returned ; but for all
that it was matter for great rejoicing. The great
nightmare, which had rested upon the breast of the
State for more than a twelvemonth, was shaken off.
The pet scheme of our enemies had failed. The im
mense drain upon the resources of the State would
now, in some measure, be checked. The militia,
some of whom had been long from home, were re
turned to their homes. Their immediate object was
accomplished ; but the war was by no means over.
Burgoyne and his soldiers were conducted to Bos
ton, whence, on parole, they sailed to England.
Their route to the sea-board lay through Northamp
ton and Hadley. Burgoyne was in custody of Colo
nel Porter, at whose house he spent a night. It is a
fact of interest that that house is still occupied by
Colonel Porter's descendants.
The war wore on, with its varied success and de
feat ; with its heavy drafts of men and military sup
plies. But the towns nobly responded to the calls.
In the year 1778, there were several calls. On the
20th of April, requisition was made upon Massachu
setts for two thousand men, to recruit her fifteen
decimated battalions in the Continental army. Hamp
shire's share was two hundred and forty-two ; North-

REQUISITIONS OF '79. 49
ampton's thirteen. On the same day, one thousand
five hundred were ordered for the North River and
Rhode Island, of which Hampshire was to furnish one
hundred and eighty-two. Later in the year, this
county had to furnish, for service in Rhode Island, and
with General Stark at Albany, one hundred, each.
These calls would have required about thirty-three
men from Northampton during the year.
The year 1779 saw no lightening of the burden.
On the 8th of June, the county was asked for one
hundred and two men for seven months' service in
Rhode Island ; and for two hundred and twenty-eight
nine months' men to recruit again her fifteen battal
ions. On the 9th of October, she was asked for four
hundred and fifty, to co-operate with the forces sent
by our ally, France. To each of these men was given,
besides their regular Continental pay, a bounty of
£16 per month ; and to the latter, a bonus of £30
also, and 2s. mileage. It must be remembered that,
by this time, paper was at a discount. The records
show that Northampton bravely did her share of the
work of this year. Repeated assemblies were held to
institute measures for meeting the call. Now the
town was borrowing money to pay the bounty ; now
instructing the selectmen to get the men on as good
terms as possible, but to get them at all events;
here a reference to those who went to Providence,
and to those who went with Captain Cook to New
London ; and there an order that a certain part of the
bounty be paid in wheat at 4s., or "rie" at 3s., or
corn at 2s. a bushel.
Although we know the burden of a four years' war,
we are not fully able to realize the burden of an
eight years' war, a part of it almost within hearing.

50 CONTRIBUTIONS OF CLOTHING.
As the burden became heavier, men would stay at
home if drafted, and pay a fine instead.
And it was not only men, but money, clothing and
food, which were needed. At that time we had no
factories. Our mothers carded and spun the wool,
dyed the yarn, knit it into stockings, or wove it into
blankets for the bed, or into cloth from which they
cut and made the garments. When anything of this
kind was needed, requisition was laid upon the towns.
Committees were frequently appointed, either to so
licit or in some cases with power to make such de
mands as they judged proportionate, upon the vari
ous families. Many times, blankets were cheerfully
taken from beds in use. In 1778-9 and 80, orders
were passed for the collection of shirts, shoes, and
stockings ; in one instance equal in number to one-
seventh the males ; in another to one-tenth the num
ber of males over sixteen, and half as many blankets.
In one case Northampton's share of each was sixty-
four ; and in another about forty, and half as many
blankets. And Southampton's share was about half
as many. In the call of 1780, Elijah Hunt of North
ampton, was agent for Hampshire County. In 1778,
a committee was appointed to go from house to house
through the town, to collect " such things as they
judged would be serviceable to the soldiers." These
were to be sent to Albany " for the soldiers who
went from this town." Jonathan Janes was the so
licitor in our section of the old town. August 9,
1779, £1,500 were voted to pay for clothing for the
Continental army, and on November 9, £1,678. At
the same time they appointed a committee to pur
chase grain for the army. In 1780, a supply of beef
was ordered, and Northampton voted to purchase.

REGULATION OF PRICES. 51
upon its credit, eleven thousand three hundred and
sixty pounds. As showing the depreciation of the
currency at this time, it may be mentioned that
Belchertown's quota of beef was six thousand three
hundred and sixty pounds, for which they had to pay
£7,362. The records of Belchertown show three
several calls for beef within a year.
One of the interesting and somewhat odd things
on record as to those times, is the fact of the appoint
ment of the following distinguished citizens as a com
mittee " to procure cotton and linen rags, for the
necessary purpose of making paper : " Simeon Par
sons, Levi Shepherd, Benjamin Tappan, John Lyman,
Maj. Jonathan Clapp.
Inasmuch as it had been noticed, " that many per
sons have hoarded up great stores, for which they
asked exorbitant prices, which tends to discourage
the soldiers, wrong the poor, and 'sinque' the conti
nental currency," the four New England States, by a
conference of committees, sought to fix the price of
the necessaries of life. Their recommendations, rat
ified by the several legislatures, fixed the prices in
the market centers. Massachusetts allowed local
modification of the same.
This was in 1777 ; and in 1779, another State Con
vention was held in Concord, to regulate prices ; aho
a local convention in Northampton, " to agree upon a
uniformity in the price of the articles, in the several
towns in the County." Upon the basis of the agree
ment of 1777, Belchertown agreed upon a list of
prices, which was probably essentially like that of the
sister towns in this valley. It will be interesting to
note a few of the most important or unique items.
Prices of labor. Farm hands, in haying or harvest,

52 easthampton's soldiers.
not to exceed 3s. a day, and their dinner. A man,
and two yoke of oxen, in the Spring, 6s. a day. Car
penters, 3s. 8d. a day. Women tailors. Is. a day.
Housemaids, 3s. a week. Man's board, 6s. a week.
" A dinner at the tavern, without cyder to drink with
it, lOd." Farm produce. Rye, 4s., corn, 3s., peas and
beans, 6s., potatoes, 1 to li^s. a bushel. Fresh pork,
4d., beef, 3id., mutton and veal, 2id., cheese, 6d.,
butter, 8d , wool, 2s. per pound. Yard wide flannel,
cotton, and linen, 3s. 6d. a, yard. Best men's shoes,
8s. a pair. This was a legislative, anti-monopoly
movement. What effect it had, the town records at
least, do not state.
We regret that we have not a more complete rec
ord of the names of the soldiers of the Revolution- i
ary period. But men were too busy then with doing,
to think very much about recording their deeds.
We of this town should be especially glad if we
knew who, in the district which afterwards was made
Easthampton, to remember as our representatives in
the great struggle ; though we do not ascribe to the
soldiers all the glory. The whole people shared in
the hardships of the period. Especially was this true
of the period which culminated with the surrender of
Burgoyne. Everything not absolutely essential to
the support of those at home, was then sent to the
army. But though all the people shared the hard
ships, we should be glad to know who rendered actual
military service ; but our desire can be only in part
gratified. I have been able to find no record of the names of
Northampton's soldiers, and we are left only to the
statements handed down from that time by word of
mouth. Putting these together. Rev. Luther Wright,

easthampton's soldiers. 53
in a note appended to his Historical Sketch of East
hampton, says : " Among those engaged more or less
in the service of their country, were Captain Joseph
Clapp and Quartermaster Benjamin Clapp, Dr. Ste
phen Wood, and his sons Daniel and David ; the father
died in the service at West Point. John Clapp, who
was in the army four years, Benjamin Lyman, Jr.,
Stephen Wright, Jr., David Clapp, who never returned,
Levi Clapp, Eliakim Clark, afterwards captain, Barzilar
Brewer, and Willet Chapman. The last two died in
the army. Moses Gouch served through the war."
I can add only the names of Phinehas Clark, Zadoc
Danks, Stephen Wria;ht, the father of Samuel Brooks,
formerly of this town, and Daniel Braman.
On a previous page, I have spoken of the service
of Major Jonathan Clapp and his sons, Jonathan and
Benjamin. The latter was out twice, once with
Washington at and about White Plains, N. Y. Two
of Burgoyne's captured soldiers were, for a time, '
quartered with him in Easthampton. They were
men of education and good parts. On one occasion,
during his absence, his wife asked one of them to
say grace at the table. This he did, and, somewhat
irreverently, characterized the dish of meat as
" bones," and his host as a rebel. Such trifling did
not suit the Puritan and patriotic wife ; and, on the
return of her husband, they were treated to a good
round lecture, and given to understand that it did
not become prisoners to be too captious.
Phinehas Clark was, on one occasion, stationed as a
guard on an important post, when an officer under
took to persuade him to allow him to pass without
the countersign, urging that his business was most
important. But the guard halted him by thfe deter-

54 easthampton's soldiers.
mined threat to pierce him with his bayonet in case
of further advance ; whereat the officer, who was
Washington in disguise, revealed himself, and ex
pressed himself as satisfied with the guard's soldierly
conduct. On another occasion, when he was ill, he
was placed on guard ; and was overcome by sleep.
He was arrested and tried by court-martial ; but his
illness (which should have exempted him from duty)
and his youth, were plead in extenuation so warmly,
by his comrades of Northampton, that his life was
spared ; and he received only the nominal punish
ment of a day in the guard-house. It is said that the
confinement probably saved his Jife, as the day was
so excessively hot that many on duty were fatally
sun-struck. Benjamin Lyman, Jr., was the first of our citizens
to enlist in the Continental army, which he did at the
age of sixteen years. He was in the battle of Ben
nington. The story is preserved among his descend
ants that he was acting as a scout at the time of
the capture of Major Andre ; and that he helped to
conduct Andre to head-quarters, holding the rope in
his hands while Andre was pinioned. During the
night, while they were traveling, Andre stumbled
over some obstacle and fell, after which he complained
of having suffered injury by the fall. On this account
young Lyman gave him a little looser rope. He was
also one of those who kept guard at the sad time of
Andre's execution.
It is said that while in the army, he became so ac
customed to the use of tainted meat, that, in after
years, he frequently allowed meat to become tainted
before eating it, though he could never get any to
quite equal that after which he was patterning.

trust in god. 55
These figures and facts, which I have been seeking
to set before you, meant more to our fathers than
they do to you. The statistics I have given, may be
dull as you hear thein to-day; but they interested
them profoundly. If one hundred men were wanted
to-day from Easthampton, some of you would be com
pelled to clothe yourself in blue, and take the musket
in your hand. Some of you would soon be saying a
last farewell to these smiling fields, to these grand old
hills, to these pleasant homes, and to those in them
whom you dearlj' love. You know, some of you,
what these farewells mean ; though, by a good Provi
dence, they were not to you last farewells. But a
four years' war does not drag so heavily as does an
eight years' war ; and though we suffered in the war
for the Union, our sufferings and sacrifices were
eclipsed by those of our fathers, in the war for Inde
pendence. And we ought to remember them grate
fully, and cherish the record of their deeds.
The men of that day were men of profound trust
in God. Joseph Hawley, for instance, was a man of
earnest piety as well as of ardent patriotism. When
the faint-hearted suggested in 1774, "Don't put off
the boat till you know where you will land," Haw-
ley's confident reply was, " God will bring us to a safe
harbor." " Their energy," says a historian of the
period, " was derived from their sense of the divine
power." This looking to God as their Sovereign, made our
fathers dare to break with England at the outset ; and
brought them to this country. This controlled the
spirit of their sons of the Revolutionary period, and
made them set right above title and authority. They
went to the peculiar and trying duties of those years

56 OUR MATERIAL GROWTH.
of strife and sacrifice, with seriousness and acknowl
edgment of Go.d, as though they were to engage in
acts of worship. Their confidence in God sustained
their courage. It was God who gave them wisdom to
frame the form of government which they gave to
posterity. It was through the unseen pilotage of
God, that the ship of State sailed safe through the
perils of the early days of the Republic. Let us
never forget that God is the source of national secu
rity. He it is who must pilot us, as He piloted our
fathers, or we shall go to wreck. The proneness of
man to forget God, or ignore his personal agency, is
one of our great dangers. As a nation, we have had
marvelous material prosperity. Never, since the world
stood, has so large a territory been subjugated and
peopled, in so short a time. The fertility of inven
tion has operated to make the fertility of the soil
available. The methods of tillage and of manufac
ture have been revolutionized in a way greatly to
enhance the power of any individual over nature,
and enabling each one to harness to his own uses
far more of nature's forces than in the days of our
fathers. The power of swift locomotion and of in
stantaneous communication, gives us the world for a
market, and enables us to feel the pulse of all na
tions. The influx of population from foreign lands
has largely increased the material resources of the
nation, though at some risk. Our institutions have
stood great and repeated strains. We stand strong
to-day, notwithstanding that multitudes have departed
from God. We have strength, and seem likely to en
dure far into the future. We are at peace with the
world, whom we have invited to meet us in a friendly
contest in the industrial, and some of the fine arts, in

THE NEED OF CHARACTER. 57
the city where our fathers, one hundred years ago
to-day, published to mankind their Declaration of
Independence. Now, in contemplating this wonderful growth, and
this amazing expansion of our power, there is danger
that our thoughts will rest too exclusively upon ma
terial greatness ; that we shall exalt skill in workman
ship, and wealth of resources too highly. We may,
perhaps, feel undue security as to the perpetuity of
the Republic, because it has endured the searching
tests of one hundred years. But we have not yet so
far stood the test of time, that our institutions are
placed beyond contingency. One hundred and sev
enty-five years before the fatal night of Chaldea,
Isaiah prophesied her impending fate. But she con
tinued, in reckless disregard of the warning, to court
her doom. All this while, at least until near the last,
she was steadily increasing in material greatness.
But in one night Babylon fell ; and from that time
forth the Chaldean became a vassal.
Let us not be over secure. If the Republic is to
continue its beneficent existence, it will be because of
the virtue and piety of the people.
Nothing is more demonstrable from history, than
that a predominantly material civilization speedily
becomes a corrupt civilization. And such a civiliza
tion is neither the nurse nor conservator of republics ;
but is the mother of abominations, and the foe of the
best interests of men. Therefore, it is most import
ant, that the young men and women, who are to-day
in training to become pillars in society, should be
taught that a nation's highest interests are not ma
terial, but immaterial ; that virtue is of more conse
quence than fortune ; that intellectual attainment is a

58 RELIGION A DEFENCE.
worthier object of endeavor than physical gratifica
tion ; that manhood is better than money ; that it is
better to lift fallen men to a recognition of their kin
ship with Christ, than to levy tribute upon the bow
els of the earth and the illimitable caverns of the
sea, for the decoration and adornment of the home or
person, or for ministering to the convenience and
comfort of men, desirable though these objects may
be ; that it is better for a people to be rich in faith,
than in public lands, in piety than in cotton and corn,
in love than in a mercantile marine ; that duty is
more imperative than pleasure ; that to die for one's
country is better thali to save life by basely desert
ing her in her hour of need. Of men and women
holding this persuasion firmly, and making their
practice illustrate and enforce their persuasion, the
country has most sore need. They are the salt
which will preserve us from decay. The ship of
state has by no means outridden its perils ; but is yet
environed and beleaguered by them. These perils are
not so much material as moral. If the nation does
not become bankrupt in character, it will not be
likely to become bankrupt in fortune. If it does be
come bankrupt in character, its gold will be a mill
stone about its neck.
The most effectual and, indeed, the only sure, guar
antee of character is love to God. Pure religion,
possessing the heart, makes a man not only a safe
element in society, but a source of security. As her
citizens become truly religious, therefore, a State
takes a new lease of life. A religion, however, which
God does not inspire, is either a delusion or a sham ;
and is, in neither case, a guarantee of character on the
part of its devotees. God, therefore, must be in the

RELIGION A DEFENCE. 59
State, and must, in some degree, inspire and guide
its citizens ; or a government, in which the citizens
are rulers, is fatally wanting in the elements of per
petuity. Well, indeed, might we to-day, and on other days,
with ever increasing fervor, pray : " God save the
Commonwealth ! " God save the Republic !

Note. — Besides the original documents which were consulted in the prep
aration of this Address, the following works were employed as authorities,
viz. : Judd's History of Hadley ; Bancroft's History of the United States ;
Bradford's and Barry's Histories of Massachusetts ; Holland's History of
Western Massachusetts ; An Address delivered at Northampton at the close
of the Second Century of its settlement, by Rev. William Allen, D. D.,
and An Historical Address delivered in Southampton, by Rev. Prof. B. B.
Edwards, D. D.
The manuscript papers left by Col. Elisha Porter, now in custody of one of
his descendants. Miss Abby P. Smith, of Hadley, to which the author was
kindly allowed access, and for which he makes acknowledgment, were of im
portant service to him. To all who in any way aided him, he also gives
thanks. P. W. L.

APPENDIX.

THE EVENTS OF TEN YEAES IN EASTHAMPTON.
The proclamation of the President of the. United States, con
cerning the public observance of the Centennial Anniversary of
our national independence, recommended the preparation, delivery,
and preservation, of addresses, each setting forth the history of its
own locality. It would, however, have been manifestly unsuita
ble for the author of " The History of Easthampton," in a brief
address, to review the ground surveyed in that volume. He
chose, rather, after sketching the period of settlement, to present
an outline picture of the early part of the revolutionary struggle^
giving to the picture as much of a local- coloring as was possible.
But, though it was needless, at present, to re-write the history of
the town, it seems suitable to improve the opportunity given by
the publication of the address, to bring the history down to the
present time, by a brief sketch of the events of the past decade.
That is the object of this appendix, which brings the survey of
the town's history down to March 15, 1877. •
If we look first at the religious interests of the town, we find
that no change has occurred in the pastorate of the First Congre
gational Church. Eev. A. M. Colton is still ministering, with
acceptance, to the spiritual wants of the people of that society.
He is now in the twenty-fourth year of his pastorate, and is still
doing good work. The deacons of the First Church are Eleazer
W. Hannum, E. Alonzo Clark, and Lauren D. Lyman, the latter
of whom was chosen February 3, 1870, to fill the vacancy occa
sioned by the death of Kev. Luther Wright. Few church officers
have so long a term of service as that of Deacon Hannum, who
has filled his office now for forty-three years. The relations of
the. First and Payson Churches are, at the present time, more
than ever fraternal.

62 CHURCHES.
The latter is now without a pastor. For thirteen years Rev.
S. T. Seelye, D. D., performed the duties of that office accepta
bly ; but prolonged ill health recently compelled his resignation.
The official relation between pastor and people was terminated
January 8, 1877, in accordance with the advice of a council, of
which Eev. Gordon Hall, D. D., of Northampton, was moderator,
and Eev. E. G. Cobb, of Florence, scribe.
As a citizen and a neighbor, not less than as a pastor. Doctor
Seelye would be missed from the community, were he to change
his place of residence.
The deacons of this church are C. B. Johnson, E. H. Sawyer,
M. H. Leonard, and J. H. Sawyer. The first two were serv
ing ten years ago ; and the last two were chosen December 4,
1873, and January 4, 1877, respectively. Within the period
under review, A. J. Lyman has filled this office three years, but
declined a re-election.
Superintendents of the First Church Sunday-school, in the
past ten years, have been Lewis Clapp, Lafayette Clapp, James
Keene, and J. H. Judd ; and of the Payson Church School, A.
B. Lyman, H. J. Bly, J. H. Sawyer, J. K. Eichardson, and A.
J. Lyman.
The Methodist Church, which was under the pastoral care of
Eev. Franklin Furber in 1866, has since enjoyed the ministra
tions of Eevs. C. T. Johnson, W. W. Colburn, A. J. Hall, S. 0.
Dyer, L. A. Bosworth, and now of E. E. Thorndike. Superin
tendents have been F. H. Putnam, 0. H. Hill, G. A. Bullock, A.
G. Dickenson, and S. W. Pierce. The society had just com
pleted a house of worship in 1866, but was left, by the enter
prise, with a burdensome debt on its hands. It has, at last, suc
ceeded in getting the portion of this burden, which yet remains
unpaid, guaranteed by individual members of the society, and of
other churches in the place.
Measures looking to the establishment of an Episcopal Church
were instituted in 1871, regular services being commenced in that
year, under the charge of Eev. B. F. Cooley, as a resident mis
sionary. St. Philip's Parish was organized April 10, 1871,
twenty voters of the town being, chosen associates. In March,
1872, Mr. Cooley resigned, and next month, Eev. Lewis Green,
then and now of Ashfield, took his place. In April, 1872, the
record showed fifty-six families, forty-nine communicants, and
from eighty to one hundred at the Sunday services. Mr. Green

REV. WILLIAM BEMENT. 63
resigned in the Spring of 1873, whereupon services were sus
pended until Autumn. Then the work of the parish was resumed,
and has since continued, under the direction of Eev. J. Sturgis
Pearce, Eector of St. John's Church, Northampton. Since that
time, a Sunday afternoon service has been held in the Lower
Town Hall. The society has secured a desirable site, and is pre
paring to soon erect a modest chapel for its use. The wardens
are N. W. Farrar and James Butterworth, the first of whom ia
superintendent of a Sabbath-school numbering thirty-five chil
dren. Maj. H. E. Alvord is parish clerk.
Before leaving the religious for the secular, mention ought to be
made of the recent death, at the age of seventy, of Eev. William
Bement, the second minister of our place, and the last who was,
during his entire ministry here, pastor of the whole people.
From October 16, 1833, to April 1, 1850, he labored here with
great zeal and wisdom, and with eminent success; and became
greatly endeared to his people, whom, in turn, he regarded with
an abiding affection quite remarkable for its intensity — an affec
tion which separation never quenched. He left here to accept a
call to the church in Elmira, K. Y., to which now, for many
years, Eev. Thomas K. Beecher has been ministering. In El
mira, he " at once commanded the highest respect of the entire
community, as a well trained, sound, scriptural preacher of the
Gospel ; and as a faithful, attentive, and most acceptable pastor."
He felt parish and pulpit responsibilities with unusual keen
ness ; and, in consequence, under his arduous duties, his health
so far gave way as to compel resignation of his charge, after four
years' service. After rest, however, he was, for some five years,
minister to the Southport Presbyterian Church, where he did a
valuable work. Afterwards, for a while, he was superintendent
of schools in Elmira, and Secretary of the Board of Education.
" To this work he brought excellent scholarship, sound judgment,
and unwearying industry." Finally his health gave way, and he
suffered periods of great mental depression.
In the hope to counteract these evils, he removed to Jersey City,
where he engaged in business. His overwrought brain, however,
still gave him occasional trouble, and, early in August last — it is
supposed in a paroxysm of pain — he left his home and wandered
to the upper part of New York City, to the grounds of the Con
vent of the Sacred. Heart. Here, all alone with God, like Moses
upon Mount Nebo, he died. Days afterwards the lifeless body

64 HON. SAMUEL WILLISTON".
was found by the sisters, the head resting upon the hand. Thus
a noble life came to an end ; and it matters now but little to him,
that he died unattended and alone. No doubt angels were in
waiting, to convoy him to the home of the ransomed. His body
received burial in Elmira. His name will be long held in hon
ored remembrance among the people of his first love.
The mention of death is a reminder that the last decade has
closed the mortal career of quite a number of our fellow citizens.
Though all were missed from their accustomed circles, none of
them left so great a vacancy as that occasioned by the death of
Hon. Samuel Williston ; of whom simple justice requires that it
should be said, that he contributed, very largely, to make East
hampton what it is to-day. The story of his life needs not here
to be told. It is " known and read of all men." It has been in
part told in previous sketches of the history of the town and sem
inary, in sundry other published sketches, and more fully in Prof.
Tyler's admirable commemorative discourse.
Eeference will hereafter be made to his last great business en
terprise. To the management of that he devoted his latest years.
Far on towards the close of his long life, it was his wont to drive
daily to his office, and there to spend hours in oversight of his
extended operations. Little by little, however, his powers of
body gave way ; and the time came when he must leave his busi
ness for other hands, and leave his plans for other executors, and
go to his God. A growing assurance of his acceptance with God
comforted his last days ; though for very many years he had
looked to Christ as his Saviour. " I think I am going through
Safe; indeed, I think I may say I knoiu I am." "If there is
anything I hate it is sin ; and I knotv I love the Lord Jesus
Christ and his cause." These were some of his latest utterances.
He died Saturday, July 18th, 1874 ; and was buried Monday,
July 20th, from his own house. This was filled with his relatives
and distinguished strangers ; while those among whom his life
was led, gathered in large concourse upon the lawn about the
doors and 'windows, in expression of their sympathy and sense
of loss, and to do honor to his memory. In their midst, upon the
lawn, rested the burial casket. Suitable Scripture selections were
read by Eev. A. M. Colton, and a brief but touching address was
made by his pastor, Eev. Dr. Seelye, who also offered prayer.
Deacons of the two churches, in which he had been a deacon,
acted as pall-bearers while the remains were borne to the place

HON. SAMUEL WILLISTON. 65
of burial. A commemorative discourse was delivered by Prof. W.
S. Tyler, D. D., in the Payson Church, on Sunday, September
13th, the whole town uniting in the service.
By his business enterprise, Mr. Williston — not, of course, with
out capable associates — built a town ; established a group of per
manent industries ; and gave employment to thousands, year
after year. In doing this, he acquired a large property; but,
though he had the means, he was never guilty of lavish personal
expenditure. The great bulk of his acquisitions was devoted to
uses which would be of public benefit. Nor did he ambitiously
allow his property to accumulate, to be divided at death ; but
charitably appropriated about $1,000,000 during his life time.
With this he founded Williston Seminary ; saved Amherst Col
lege from ruin, aiding it in repeated instances ; and gave largely
to Iowa College, Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, and the Syr
ian Protestant College at Beirut.
Though his fortune was especially devoted to educational uses,
religion was, in his mind, always associated with education ; and
that he never forgot the church, is proven by numerous gifts for
religious purposes, both at home and abroad. The same devotion
to public interests characterized his final division of his estate.
Though he provided amply for the wants of those whom he had
taken to his heart, yet the greater portion of his property was
still consecrated to learning. At his death, his estate, less his
debts, was valued at about $800,000. Of this sum he gave,
by will, to Mrs. Williston $110,000; to his adopted children,
$125,000; to numerous friends and benevolent institutions,
$56,000; to Iowa College, $20,000; and to Williston Semi
nary, $400,000 ; leaving the balance, if any remained, to Am
herst College. His heart was set upon a generous gift to the
latter, but as so much of his estate was manufacturing property,
it is feared that nothing will remain for it.
The homestead given to Mrs. Williston, and valued at $50,000,
she has given to Williston Seminary, after her decease, provided
at least one of the permanent buildings is placed upon the
grounds, and the whole is kept for the use of the seminary.
With Mr. Williston were associated, in his early life, Eevs.
Luther Wright and Solomon Lyman, then young men looking for
ward, like himself, to professional life ; but not like him destined
to be thwarted in their designs. Mr. Williston was the last of the
three to pass away, though the same decade closed the life of all,
9

66 DEATH OF CITIZENS.
in their native town. Mr. Wright had the privilege, after teach
ing successfully elsewhere, of aiding his friend in the establish
ment of the seminary ; being its first principal, and holding that
position some eight years. For many years after that, he taught
. a private classical school here. Mr. Lyman, after a useful and
earnest life work in several pastorates, came to his native place
to spend his remaining days. These two were associated with
the church of their fathers, Mr. Wright as a deacon, and were
valued helpers there. Other citizens, whose deaths have occurred
in this decade, are the writer's father, Daniel F. Lyman, a friend
of all these, though younger, a staunch and true man every way,
an earnest worker in the church; Capt. Ebenezer Ferry, for a
long time one of the three storekeepers here, for twenty years
postmaster, for twenty-one years town clferk, well known by all
town people and by many successive classes of students ; Samuel
Wright, an old time schoolmaster of repute, one of the early town
clerks and school committee men of the town ; L. Pyncheon Ly
man, a thriving business man in the line of lumber and grain,
who held some public trusts ; John H. Wells, for many years a
principal merchant of the town ; George S. Clark, until his death
accountant of the Nashawannuck Company and influential in
town affairs ; Lucas W. Hannum, who returned to his native
place late in life, and entered into its affairs with much interest ;
Sidney Ferry, Capt. Luke and Lowell Janes, Joel Parsons, Au
gustus Clapp, Dwight and Dennis Lyman, and Zenas, Theodore
and Gilbert A. Clark, — all these, representatives of ancient fami
lies of the town, sons of sires honorably associated with its past,
and themselves bearing their lot in their day and generation, some
of them in their time filling important public station either in
town or church. These, and perhaps others whose names do not
occur to the writer, have passed from participation in human
affairs, to the awards of the future life. And we who remain are
each awaiting our turn.
One who passed away not long before the opening of the decade
now in review, was Ezekiel White, a man not equaled in the
county, except by Sylvester Judd, as an antiquarian. His library
was scattered by public auction, some of it, however, falling into
appreciative hands. His volumes were largely freighted, upon
their margins and by inserted slips of paper, with valuable his
torical and genealogical notes, in his beautiful hand. It would
be well worth the effort of the Museum Committee, if they could

WILLISTON SEMINARY. 67
secure custody of any of his manuscripts which have not been
scattered. Among those who have taken up their residence elsewhere,
perhaps no one will be more greatly missed than Seth Warner.
He was thoroughly identified with the town's manufacturing
growth ; a public spirited and influential citizen ; a long time
and valued church officer ; and a musical expert whose leadership
has wrought most excellent results.
WILLISTON SEMINAEY.
Williston Seminary, which, more than anything else, makes
our town known throughout the land, is prosperous as of yore ;
and, with enlarged scope and increased endowments, is planning
for a future of even greater than her past degree of usefulness.
Ten years ago. North Hall, the dormitory occupying the former
site of the First Church, was approaching completion. An as
tronomical observatory has since been built. The grounds on the
street fronts have been enclosed with a substantial and tasteful
iron fence, and fronted with a sidewalk of flagging.
During the administration of Eev. Dr. Henshaw, which closed
with his resignation of the office of principal at the end of the
last school year, the institution has enjoyed a high degree of
prosperity. Its progress has been, especially, in the enlarged
facilities it has offered for the acquisition of an English educa
tion. The scientific department has been reorganized, and given
increased dignity as compared with the classical.
One of the memorable events which fell within Principal
Henshaw's administration, was the celebration of the Quarter
Centennial, which was held on Anniversary week, July 2, 1867.
There was a large attendance of graduates and former pupils.
Eev. E. S. Storrs, D. D., of Brooklyn, a former teacher, was ap
pointed President of the day. The literary exercises of the oc
casion took place in the Payson Church, whither the alumni
repaired after an address of welcome by the Principal. A histor
ical address was delivered by Prof. William S. Tyler, D. D., of
Amherst College, the adviser and trusted friend of the founder,
during the whole history of the institution. Eev. N. Adams,
D. D., of Boston, in prayer, dedicated the completed buildings to
the promotion of learning and religion. An oration was pro
nounced by Prof. Cyrus Northrop, of Yale College. Dinner had
been spread in the M. E. Church, and was eaten with a relish.

68 WILLISTON ALUMNI RECORD.
At its close, the audience listened, with great interest, to an
address from the President of the day, who was followed by
Presidents Woolsey of Yale, and Stearns of Amherst, Eevs.
Luther Wright, and Josiah Clark, former Principals, Prof. North
rop, Gen. F. A. Walker, and others. The exercises of the mem
orable day were brought to a close by the reading of a poem, by
C. H. Sweetser, Esq., of New York.
This gathering of alumni left, as its legacy, an incipient Alumni
Association, which still lives and grows. It has done something
towards the cultivation of an esprit du corps among graduates.
It has meetings each Anniversary week, with a public address
from some distinguished alumnus. Addresses have been deliv
ered by Eev. H. Clay Trumbull, Prof. Judson Smith, Eev. H.
M. Parsons, C. D. Adams, Esq., Judge William S. Shurtleff, and
Col. Mason W. Tyler. On one occasion, a poem was delivered
by Eev. Albert Bryant.
One of the most valuable results of this organization, has been
the publication of an Alumni Eecord. This society urged the mat
ter upon the trustees, who readily favored the project, appointed a
co-operating committee, and voted to defray the expense. The
matter was finally put into the hands of Eev. Joseph H. Sawyer,
for several years a teacher in the seminary. With painstaking
and great labor, and with the co-operation of various class secreta
ries, he succeeded, at length, in bringing out a most satisfactory
record. It gives the addresses, and, in most cases, a brief sketch
of the life, of trustees and teachers, and of one thousand four
hundred and fifty-five male students; an index of the full num
ber; the Eoll of Honor; and a list of female teachers and stu
dents, with their present address and name. From this record,
it appears that, at the time of publication in 1875, there had
been connected with the seminary five thousand one hundred
and sixty-six male, and one thousand and seventy-seven female
students ; total, six thousand two hundred and forty-three. Of
these, the whole number reckoned alumni is one thousand one hun
dred and seventeen. Mr. Sawyer was able to report more or less
fully concerning two thousand four hundred and ninety-four per
sons. Of these, five hundred and twelve had already received a
college education, two hundred and five at Yale, one hundred and
sixty-two at Amherst, and seventy-eight at Williams. Seventy-
two were then in college. Eighty-eight more had graduated at
professional or scientific schools. Of these, one hundred and sixty-

PRESENT PLANS AND ORGANIZATION. 69
seven had chosen the clerical, one hundred and seventy-four the
legal, and eighty the medical professions ; while seventy-seven
were teachers, fifteen journalists, and twenty-five civil engineers.
The Eoll of Honor shows nine generals, sixteen colonels, fourteen
majors, thirteen chaplains, twenty-seven surgeons, thirty-six cap
tains, forty-one lieutenants, and two hundred and thirty non-com
missioned officers and privates. Of these, forty-nine died in bat
tle, or from exposure.
In 1873, the seminary held property which was rated at
$270,000. In addition, the founder, by his will, left it a mu
nificent endowment. Upon the settlement of the estate, it is to
receive $200,000. In a few years thereafter, $100,000 more ;
and ultimately, $300,000 additional.
Mr. Williston's purpose was to establish neither a college, nor
a professional school ; but a secondary institution far superior
to any now existing. To this end, the departments are to be
divided into distinct professorships, to be filled by men of ability,
scholarly culture, and of experience in instruction, whose duties
are not to be so arduous as to prevent, and whose compensation
shall be sufficient to allow, special study and research by each in
his own department.
It is intended that the classical department shall not only give
a most thorough fit for college ; but also afford sound basis for im
mediate professional study, if the pupil chooses. Thorough instruc
tion will be given in the common English branches ; and also in
the modern languages, with reference both to reading and conver
sation therein. " In the scientific department, young men are to
be instructed in all the branches of science, literature, and phi
losophy, of a college course ; and also in business forms and
methods, in drawing and designing, and in architecture."
The vacancy, occasioned by the resignation of Principal Hen
shaw, has been filled by the appointment of Eev. James M.
Whiton, Ph. D., a classical instructor of high repute, who was
taken from the pastoral office in Lynn. Into his hands, with
that of an able corps of associates, under the supervision of the
trustees, will be committed the realization of the ideals of the
founder. A part of the old board of teachers has been retained
for the new administration, and other able men have been associ
ated with them. In addition to the principal, who instructs in
Latin, the faculty at present consists of the following persons,
who give instruction in the branches subjoined to their names:

70 WILLISTON MILLS.
Eobert P. Keep, Ph. D., Greek; Charles F. Eastman, M. A.,
Latin and Greek ; Eoswell Parish, M. A., Physics ; Eussell M.
Wright, M. A., Natural History; Joseph H. Sawyer, M. A.,
Mental Science and History; Maj. Henry E. Alvord, C. E., Gym
nastics and Engineering ; Charles A. Lador, M. A., Modern Lan
guages ; George Y. Washburn, B. A., Elocution.
BUSINESS.
When the "History of Easthampton" was published, Mr.
Williston had shortly before undertaken the greatest business
enterprise of his life. The manufacture of cotton yarns had re
sulted so favorably as to encourage a great enlargement of the
business ; and he was, at that time, vigorously pushing to com
pletion a mill, with a capacity of 20,000 spindles — twice that of
the first mill. It was to be run by steam — a Corliss engine of
240 horse power. A corporation was formed with the title, " The
Williston Mills," which had a paid up capital of $700,000. For
a time at least it employed from 400 to 500 persons, with a pay roll
of $9,000^ and a sales account of $60,000 to $60,000 per month,
and owned a village of 160 tenements (mostly only two under one
roof), a store and a large boarding-house. To this enterprise Mr.
Williston, who was the principal owner, gave the last years of his
life, relinquishing to the hands of others the management of the
industries of the upper village, in which he still retained his inter
est. His attempt in the new factory was to establish the manu
facture of all grades of spool cotton for hand and machine sewing.
With great energy and will he persevered in his undertaking,
and, for several years, turned out thread in large quantities.
But the competition was so sharp, and the difficulties and em
barrassments of the work and of the times were so great, that the
enterprise failed to be remunerative ; and, indeed, was prosecuted
at so heavy a loss as greatly to cripple Mr. Williston, and sadly
to disappoint his hopes as to the amount of money he was able to
leave behind him for educational purposes, although, as it was,
his bequests were princely.
At last he abandoned the manufacture of thread, and confined
his efforts to the manufacture of cotton yarns. In this there has
been better success. On account of the shrinkage of values, and
the ill success of the undertaking, the capital of the corporation
was reduced to $350,000 where it now stands.

THE UPPER VILLAGE. 71
The other manufacturing corporations have continued their
business with varying, but on the whole with gratifying success.
They have suffered at least no more than their share in the de
pression of the times, and have not been compelled to curtail
operations to any disastrous extent.
The oldest concern, the National Button Company, has enlarged
its capacity fully 50 per cent, in ten years, the mills being now
capable of turning out 2,000 gross daily. In its business it em
ploys a quarter of a million or more, though its nominal capital is
but $150,000. Its President is its long-time manager, Hon. H.
G. Knight, and its Secretary, H. L. Clark.
The Nashawannuck Manufacturing Company has a capital of
$300,000, and a capacity of 4,000 dozen pairs of suspenders a
week. Its officers are Christopher Meyer, President ; Hon. E,
H. Sawyer, Treasurer ; G. H. Leonard, Superintendent.
The Glendale Elastic Fabrics Company has a capital of
$100,000, though it employs twice that, and annually turns out
products to the value of $250,000 to $300,000. E. H. Sawyer,
President ; M. H. Leonard, Secretary.
The Easthampton Eubber Thread Company met with a severe
reverse in the burning of their mill on the night of July 12, 1869,
at a loss of $135,000, with an insurance of $70,000. A new mill
was, however, ready for operation in five months. It is as ca
pacious as the old one, though with one less story. The company
employ a capital of $150,00(\ consume in manufactures from
200,000 to 250,000 pounds of pure rubber per year, and do an
annual business of from $200,000 to $250,000. H. G. Knight,
President ; E. T. Sawyer, Secretary and Treasurer.
The Easthampton Gas Company does a thriving business with
$25,000 capital, making two and a half million feet of gas yearly.
Officers are E. T. Sawyer, President ; H. L. Clark, Treasurer ;
C. B. Johnson, Clerk. ,
The Valley Machine Company was formed in 1870. It suc
ceeded the Easthampton Steam Pump and Engine Company, (of
which Mr. Williston, James Sutherland and Dr. J. W. Winslow
were the members.) It also purchased the business of the
Nashawannuck Company's machine shop. The pump which the
earlier company was making not proving a success, a new one
was taken up, which is succeeding admirably. It is Wright's
Bucket Plunger, patented by William Wright of New York,
though greatly improved by the present manufacturers, who claim

72 THE UPPER VILLAGE.
that it is now " the most simple, compact, and reliable Steam
pump ever offered to the public." At the Fair of the American
Institute in New York, in 1870, it was rated superior to all con
testants in order of merit, being considered "as effective as the
best of the four valve double-acting pumps, with the advantage of
having but two water valves, instead of four, to keep in order or
cause trouble." The company at first received a charter, but sur
rendered it in 1873, and organized on a partnership basis with
John Mayher as Treasurer and General Manager. A capital of
$30,000 is employed. The pump has had good sale and given great
satisfaction. The company propose soon to erect a foundry.
In November, 1866, J. L. Bassett bought the sawmill property
on Manhan river, for many years owned by L. P. Lyman, and
began the manufacture of spools and bobbins, supplying the Wil
liston Mills with these articles. After being burned out in 1868,
he rebuilt, and then went into the manufacture of thread, in which
he has ever since continued. The business is conducted by a
corporation, organized September, 1873, and styled "The Mt.
Tom Thread Company," with a capital of $55,000. J. L. Bassett
is President, and J. I. Bassett Secretary and Treasurer. About
thirty hands are employed, and a business of $65,000 to $75,000
a year is done. They buy yarn, which is mostly imported, and
dye, twist, and spool it. It is an excellent thread, mostly for
machine use, put up in two ounce spools, and it goes chiefly to
the clothing and shoe trade.
The National Button Company, the Nashawannuck, the Glen
dale, the Eubber Thread and the Valley Machine, each made an
exhibit of their goods at the Centennial Exposition, and each re
ceived a medal as a testimonial of the excellence of their products.
Other institutions connected with the business of the place, are
the First National Bank and the Easthampton Savings Bank.
The former was organized in 1864, with a, capital of $150,000,
which has been increased to $200,000. Hon. H. G. Knight is
president, and C. E. Williams cashier. An efficient board of
directors co-operate in the management. Dividends have averaged
9 per cent, per annum. A surplus of $40,000 has accumulated.
In its whole history, the bank has lost only $125, which is a fact
without a parallel in the State. Some five years since a bank
building was erected at a cost of about $20,000, which is a model
structure for a country bank, being most tasteful and convenient,
and having a very solidly built vault.

TRADES — TOWN OFFICERS. 73
The Savings Bank, which was organized June 7, 1870, finds
quarters in the same apartment. Cashier Williams is its Treas
urer, and Hon. E. H. Sawyer President. It already has a deposit
account of $182,721, three-quarters of which belongs to the towns
people. Besides its annual dividend of six per cent., it has paid
three or four extra dividends.
There is no space to speak at length of the persons engaged in
the trades and mercantile business of the town. Ten years have
brought extensive changes ; though, of those who were chronicled
in 1866, as doing our mercantile business, L. Preston, A. J. Ly
man, F. H. Putnum, J. E. Lambie and C. S. Eust, are still thus
engaged. Of the tradesmen who were then active and are so
still, E. E. Bosworth does the building, T. J. Pomeroy the under
taking, G. L. Manchester the steam and gas fitting, O. N. Clark
and Wm. J. Lyman the carriage work, Wm. E. Topliff and L.
G. Fales the mason work. Franklin Strong, at Loudville, still
grinds grain, and E. H. and A. S. Ludden still have to do with
marketing, H. F. Knapp with livery, while C. W. Langdon, then
a merchant, has gone to flouring, and L. 0. Toogood, then a
painter, now sells fruits, vegetables, etc.
In 1686-7, Northampton gave Samuel Bartlett liberty to set
up a corn-mill " on the falls below the cartway on the river."
Prom the time when, shortly after, he used his liberty, to the
present, the waters of the Manhan Lave not ceased to grind grain
on that spot ; and during all this time, a part or all the toll has
been taken by the Bartletts, or their relatives the Clapps. One
quarter of it is still owned by Edward Clapp, a great grandson of
Major Jonathan, who received it from his uncle Joseph Bartlett,
son of Samuel. It has been run five years by J. T. Thayer, who
has owned three-quarters of it for two years, buying it of Cowles
& Webster, who bought it of J. Pomeroy, who bought it of the
heirs of L. P. Lyman, who owned a large share of it in 1866.
To supplement the previously published lists of town officers, it
may be stated that C. B. Johnson was Town Clerk from 1865 to
1870, from which time until this spring, Lafayette Clapp has held
the office, as he has that of Treasurer, since 1867. The present
Town Clerk is Lafayette Clapp, Jr. The Selectmen of 1867-8-9,
were S. Alvord, Q. P. Lyman, L. W. Hannum ; of 1870, S. Al
vord, Theo. Clark, A. S. Ludden ; of 1871, G. L. Manchester,
Theo. Clark, A. S. Ludden, and of five years, beginning in 1872,
to the present, A. S. Ludden, J. W. Wilson, and H. T. Hannum.
10

74 TOWN OFFICERS.
The present board are H. J. Bly, A. S. Ludden, and A. P.
Clark. As Assessors during the last ten years, L. D. Lyman and L.
S. Clark have each served five years, Q. P. Lyman four, A. B.
Lyman, J. W. Wilson, H. T. Hannum, three each, S. Alvord
two, and E. M. Lambie, C. A. Clark, M. L. Gaylord, Theo. Clapp
and A. S. Ludden, one each. The newly elected board are M. H.
Leonard, A. B. Lyman and S. Alvord.
The present board of School Committee consists of W. G. Bas-
settj W. H. Wright and L. S. Clark. In the last ten years Mr.
Bassett has had eight years of service, James H. Lyman seven,
making ten in all, M. L. Gaylord six, H. G. Knight two, thus
completing nine years of consecutive service,' E. M. Wright, four
years, or six in all. L. S. Clark and W. H. Wright, are each on
their second term of three years. Seth Warner, G. H. Leonard,
and Miss E. B. Hinckley, have each had a term of three years,
and Geo. S. Clark of two years. For a part of this time the town
appointed a committee of six instead of three, as usual.
In this connection it may be remarked, that since the establish
ment of the High school in 1865, Miss S. E. Chapin has been in
constant employ at its head.
The town was represented in the lower house of the Legislature
in 1866 by Hon. E. H. Sawyer ; in 1870 by Lucas W. Hannum ;
in 1874 by Wm. G. Bassett ; and in 1876 and 1877 by Lafayette
Clapp. Hon. E. H. Sawyer served two terms in the Senate, i. e.,
in 1867 and 1868. Hon. H. G. Knight has been twice in the
Executive Council. At the present time he is honored with the
office of Lieutenant-Governor of the Commonwealth, being on his
third term.
Wm. G. Bassett was appointed Trial Justice in 1869, upon the
resignation of Seth Warner. He held the office five years until
1874, when he resigned, and Lafayette Clapp was appointed to
the vacancy.
Wm. G. Bassett and E. H. Sawyer are Notaries Public ; Dr.
J. W. Winslow is Coroner. The following have been appointed
to the office of Justice of the Peace. The list may not be com
plete : Lafayette Clapp, H. G. Knight, E. H. Sawyer, J. H. Bard-
well, C. E. Williams, W. G. Bassett, A. J. Fargo, L. D. Lyman,
J. W. Winslow, M. H. Leonard, Eev. E. J. Donovan and Lafay
ette Clapp, Jr. J. L. Campbell still holds the office of Deputy-
Sheriff, and, until recently, has been Tax Collector since 1869, at

POST OFFICE — HOTEL — STATISTICS. 75
which time he succeeded E. W. Clark. His last term A. B.
Lyman filled out. L. L. Wright now holds the office.
Wm. G. Bassett and A. J. Fargo are settled here in the prac
tice of law. Drs. J. W. Winslow and F. C. Greene continue the
practice of medicine, the former of whom has lately associated
with himself Dr. Wm. M. Trow, who moved hither from a suc
cessful practice in Haydenville. Dr. C. E. Upson, a homeopathic
physician, resides near Mt. Tom Station, practicing here and in
Springfield. J. H. Bardwell is in his sixteenth year in the post office. The
total receipts of the office for the last year were $5,500. Proba
bly 150,000 letters are now mailed here yearly. This is a money
order office, both domestic and foreign. Foreign orders have been
issued since 1872, and domestic since 1866, in which period about
10,750 orders have been given out. The office is now rated by
the post-office department as of the second class, and, in the
county, ranks next after Northampton and Amherst in impor
tance. The salary it commands is $2,200.
Few Easthampton institutions have had a more variable history
than its hotel ; but in the last decade it has acquired something
more of permanence, under the efficient and popular management
of William Hill, formerly of the Mansion House, Northampton.
The property he bought May 1, 1869, and changed the style of
the hotel to the Mansion House. In 1870 he added a story to
the main building, in the shape of a mansard roof, greatly im
proving its appearance. In 1871 he built a three-story extension
in the rear, 80x40 feet. He can easily accommodate 100 guests,
and has cared for 150. He has doubled the capacity of the house
and more than quadrupled its business, receiving much patronage,
during the summer season, from city guests. Much has been
said, though not too much, in praise of Mr. Hill's excellent man
agement. He keeps a thoroughly temperance house, being him
self an ardent friend of this great reform.
From the census of 1875, it appeared that the town had a
population of 3,969, which was a gain of 349 in five years, and of
1 100 in ten. The number of families is 730. The assessors re
ported the valuation. May 1, 1876, $2,274,449, the number of
taxable polls 790, and of dwelling-houses 626. The tax levied
in 1876, was $30,872, the rate being $12.25 per thousand. Of
this the town received from the corporations within it $9,974,
besides its share of the State corporation tax. One individual pays

76 TOWN HALL.
a tax of over $1,000, two over $300, nineteen over $100, and
426 only a poll tax. The town's highest indebtedness, $81,200,
was reported February 1, 1872, the greater part of the debt being
caused by the war expenses, and the building of the Town Hall.
Since that time there has been a steady reduction. The total
debt is now $39,719.20 ; or only .017 per cent, of the town's
valuation, a proportion lower than can be shown by almost any
town in the State. Deducting from the present debt the available
resources of the town, the Treasurer reports a net indebtedness
of only $29,828.46, which is matter for just pride, considering the
many improvements which have been made at public expense.
Chief among these improvements should be mentioned the Town
Hall. Its erection was voted in the fall of 1867. The building
committee consisted of Seth Warner, E. H. Sawyer, H. G. Knight,
L. W. Hannum, E. E. Bosworth, and L. D. Lyman. The founda-
tioii was begun in April, 1868. The corner stone was laid July
4, 1868. The building was ready for occupation by June, 1869.
One of the most notable days in the history of the town was
that of its dedication, Tuesday, June 29, 1869. A large proces
sion, led by the Haydenville Band, and under chief direction of
Capt. F. A. Eust, moved through the principal streets, and
escorted the orator and distinguished guests to the Hall. The
soldiers of the war, under command of Capt. J. A. Loomis
and Lieutenants J. H. Judd and H. H. Strong, were in attend
ance. The exercises at the Hall were in the following order : —
After an overture by the Germania Band, Hon. H.. G. Knight, of
the committee of arrangements, introduced Hon. Samuel Wil
liston, President of the day, who made a few remarks, after
which a prayer of dedication was offered by Eev. A. M. Colton.
The keys were presented by Seth Warner, in behalf of the build
ing committee, to L. D. Lyman, of the committee to be in
charge of the Hall. The principal feature of the occasion was
the admirable address by Hon. Ensign H. Kellogg of Pittsfield,
Brief remarks by Lieut. Gov. Tucker, closed the dedicatory
services. The day was one of the finest, and an immense assem
blage participated in the exercises. A concert was given in the
evening by Miss Adelaide Phillips of Boston, and eighteen mem
bers of the Germania Band. It was a rare musical treat, and
was enjoyed by fully 1,100 people. A promenade concert was
also held on the following evening.
The Hall is in the Lombard style of architecture, is of brick

MEMORIAL TOWER. 77
laid in black mortar, and its height is relieved by bands of Port
land stone. The front is especially ornate. It is very hand
somely finished, both without and within. Its ground dimensions
are 104 by 60 feet, exclusive of the towers. At the north corner
is a tower 75 feet in height ; and at the south corner the Memorial
Tower, 12 feet square and 133 feet high, which has near its summit
an ornamental projecting balcony, affording a fine outlook. Upon
its front, near the base, it supports a memorial tablet of white
Italian marble, 12 feet in height, decorated on either side with col
umns of black marble. It ends at the top in a triangular block,
surmounted by a cross. It bears upon its face the inscription ; —
" Easthampton erects this tower, a memorial to these her sons, who
died for their country, during the great rebellion." Then follow
the names of the honored dead, twenty-two in number. Of these,
Maj. Gen. George C. Strong was killed at Fort Wagner, S. C. ;
William Hickey, at Camp Bisland, La. ; Daniel W. Lyman, at
Port Hudson, La. ; Charles Tencellent, at Olustee, Fla. ; and Eo-
land S. Williston, at Culpepper C. H., Va. ; Alvin W. Clark,
Oliver A. Clark, Eufus Eobinson,.Ezra 0. Spooner, Frederick P.
Stone, and Charles Eensselaer, died in Andersonville, Ga. ;
Clinton Bates and Charles L. Webster, at Baton Eouge, La. ;
Elisha C. Lyman and Henry Lyman, at Newbern, N. C. ; James
H. Clark, at Alexandria, Va. ; Augustus M. Clapp, at Nashville,
Tenn. ; Daniel Kane, at Fredericksburg, Va. ; Salmon H. Lyman,
at Davis Island Hospital ; Herbert W. Pomeroy, at Plaquemine,
La. ; Lewis P. Wait and Chauncey E. Hendrick, at home.
The first story of the building contains a small hall and rooms
for the town officers, and for the public library, with ample cor
ridors and stairways leading to the spacious upper hall. This is
capable of seating 1,100. The entire cost of the structure was
$65 000. The tablet co'st $2,000. The architect was Mr. Chas.
E. Parker of Boston, and the builder E. E. Bosworth. The
masonry was supervised by George P. Shoales, and the painting by
F. J. Gould. The elaborate frescoing was done by William Carl
of Boston. A more complete description can be found in the
published account of the dedicatory exercises.
While the hall was in process of erection, the Public Library
Association was organized with corporate powers, Hon. E. H. Saw
yer, its earnest advocate, securing the charter. The town appro
priated two large rooms in the hall for its use, and has made it an
annual grant of $500.. Private donations have also been made,

78 PUBLIC LIBRARY  MUSEUM.
the chief of which have been $1,000 each from Mr. Williston and
Mr. Sawyer, and $500 each from Christopher Meyer, John E. Ford,
and James Sutherland. Thirty five persons have made them
selves life members by the payment of $50 each. Any citizen of
the town can consult the books freely at the library, and can
withdraw them on payment of one dollar per year. There are at
present 320 subscribers, besides the life members. The whole
number of books is 4,995. There were drawn last year 13,918
books. This fact alone shows that it is a great public benefit.
Miss Dora C. Miller has been the librarian from the outset, and
her services have been invaluable. The present officers are E.
H. Sawyer, President ; H. G. Knight, Vice-President ; W. G.
Bassett, Secretary ; C. E. Williams, Treasurer ; Eev. S. T.
Seelye, Eev. A. M. Colton, Lafayette Clapp and E. T. Sawyer,
Directors. The laws of the State empower Library Associations, if they so
choose, to establish and maintain Museums. Our Association un
dertook the enterprise early in 1872, putting the matter into the
hands of C. B. Johnson, H. N. Eust and Lafayette Clapp, who
soon had it in successful progress. The two former have made
extensive private collections, and on that account were especially
well fitted for the duty assigned them. The Committee, to which
L. D. Lyman was added on the departure of Mr. Eust, have
worked with enthusiasm ; and, with the co-operation of others,
have been able to make a most valuable collection. The articles
are displayed in the library reception room, and constitute a
feature of decided interest, both to citizens and strangers. Many
relics of the late war, and other rare and curious articles, have
been collected. Some of these are illustrative of local history ;
others of antique customs, or of the habits of uncivilized people.
Hon. E. H. Sawyer has been a steadfast friend of the work, giving
to it some $300 at the start. He, with Mr. Eust of the Committee,
Dr. Seelye and George S. Clark, have been the most exten
sive depositors. Space and time are wanting to mention the
articles in detail. There are muskets, swords, knives, and other
relics of the war, as, e. g., a piece of a rail from the field of An-
tietam, riddled with bullets ; a bust of John Brown, and one of his
pikes; a case of stuffed birds, the work of David M. Strangford;
a collection of sea shells ; curiosities from the South Sea Islands;
and other articles. Some of the articles have a local association,
such as a set of table glasses, used about 1740, by Maj. Jonathan

MUSEUM  FIRE DEPARTMENT. 79
Clapp ; the bullet pouch that saved the life of Lemuel Lyman at
Lake George, September 8, 1755 ; the deed of School Meadow,
executed in 1745, by the agents of the town of Northampton, to
Dea. Stephen Wright and Benjamin Lyman, ancestors of the
Wrights and Lymans of the town ; a musket made by Moses
Chapman and carried by Nathaniel White in the Eevolution ;
Eev. Mr. Williston's license to preach, signed by Jonathan Ed
wards ; his corner clock, and an oil painting of him, presented by
Mrs. Emily G. Williston ; also an oil portrait of Eev. Wm.
Bement, painted by Sylvester S. Lyman of Hartford, (a native of
the town,) and in part donated by him. Besides the portraits,
the walls are adorned by several fine engravings. The Museum
Committee have a wide field from which to gather, and it is much
to be hoped that the people will co-operate with them, by placing
in their custody articles of historic value, which otherwise might
be lost to the public. Also that they may be furnished with the
means to obtain portraits of Hon. Samuel Williston, and of other
representative men. If they could in any way secure photographic
likenesses of those whose names are upon the tablet, their careful
preservation would be a patriotic work.
Among the public improvements should be mentioned the lay
ing of nearly five miles of concrete sidewalk, at an average cost
of some twelve dollars per rod. Few towns are so thoroughly
supplied with sidewalk as is this.
There is also a regularly organized and thoroughly equipped
fire department, of which E. T. Sawyer is chief, and E. E. Bos
worth and Wm. Hill, assistants. Pipes have been laid through
the principal streets (in all 6,500 feet of iron pipe) with hydrants
at proper intervals. There are at the upper mills no less than
five pumps, each connecting with these pipes and capable of forc
ing water through the village. One is a Bucket Plunger steam
pump of the largest size, owned by the town. There are two
other steam pumps, and two rotary pumps run by water power,
'which are owned by the corporations. In case of fire, force can
be instantly applied sufficient to lift a stream of water over any
building within reach of a hydrant. The Williston Mills village
is protected in the same way by a pump at each mill. Several of
the corporations have trained hose companies, and there is be
sides in the town a hose company, a hook and ladder company,
and the old Manhan engine company, all of which forces are
under the command of the fire engineers.

80 CEMETERIES.
Another noteworthy improvement is the laying out of Brook-
side Cemetery. As early as 1870, the cemetery committee called
the attention of the town to the fact that, though there were fre
quent calls for burial lots, no more were available. The matter
was not taken in hand till the following year, and, though a com
mittee examined locations and prices, consulted as to plans, and
reported progress from time to time, no full and definite recom
mendations came before the town from then till June 9, 1873.
At that time they reported a preliminary survey of land border
ing the pond at the upper village on its west side, and owned by
Mrs. Williston, J. D. Ludden, J. P. Searl, Edson White and the
heirs of Daniel Eust, 2d, and recommended the purchase of a
suitable amount of land, the building of a bridge across the pond
near the Nashawannuck office, and the construction of a road.
The town voted to adopt the plan recommended, and provided a
sum of money for the purpose. Ernest W. Bowdich of Boston, a
civil and topographical engineer, made the final survey, beginning
his work Oct. 27, 1873. This gentleman, with extensive acquaint
ance, declares that he knows no more finely located cemetery in
Western Massachusetts, than is this. It has been named Brook-
side Cemetery, from its proximity to the water which adds greatly
to its beauty. To interest the people in the enterprise, and to
familiarize them with the location, a general invitation was given
them to come together Nov. 5, 1873, and construct an avenue
upon it. About 150 responded to the call. The cemetery, exclu
sive of the enclosing avenue, contains nearly twenty-nine acres.
The whole number of lots laid out is 807, of which fifty-seven
have been sold. There is ample room to increase the number of
lots to 1,000 if desirable, and still leave spaces for decorative pur
poses. The prices range from $6 to $50 per lot. It is now in
charge of a committee, E. H. Sawyer Chairman, Lafayette Clapp
Secretary and Treasurer, and E. S. Janes Superintendent ; with
whom were associated in the early history of the enterprise, A.
L. Clark, L. D. Lyman, Wm. N. Clapp and E. C. Dresser. The
whole cost up to date is not far from $9,800.
Among Mr. Williston's bequests was one of $10,500 to the
town for the improvement and care of the cemetery now in prin
cipal use. Of this sum, $6,500 was to be a permanent fund for
keeping the cemetery in repair, and the balance was to be ex
pended in constructing- an iron fence along the front. A tasteful
iron fence, with suitable gateways, has been set up as directed.

RAILROAD — PRESS  SOCIETIES. 81
which adds much to the beauty of the grounds. If the cemetery
IS ever removed, or the ground used for any other purpose, or if it
is not kept in repair, the $6,500, with any interest not expended
for repairs, is to revert to Williston Seminary. Mr. Williston
deserves grateful remembrance for this generous bequest. A fine
granite monument, one of the finest in Western Massachusetts,
has recently been erected on Mr. Williston's private lot in this
cemetery, at a cost of some $4,000, and the lot itself has been
tastefully enclosed.
Increased railroad facilities have been furnished the town by the
building of a branch from the Mt. Tom Station, on the Connecti
cut Eiver railroad, to the village, to a station across the highway
from the station of the New Haven and Northampton railroad.
Over this branch the river road runs six trains a day each way,
connecting with their principal trains, and collecting and deliver
ing passengers at the Williston Mills, and at three flag stations
in East Street.
In the fall of 1875, H. DeBill started, in connection with a job
printing office, a weekly news sheet called The Easthampton
Leader. The first number was issued October 14. Mr. DeBill
enlarged it twice, and continued it through thirty-three numbers,
when he sold it to H. M. Converse, who changed its name to The
Enterprise, and still continues its publication, doing along with
it a job printing business.
For the sake of fostering and promoting a spirit of taste, and
aiding in its public expression, a society called The Village Im
provement Society, has been recently organized under favorable
auspices. The Farmers' Club is as vigorous as ever, and enlivens
the winter evenings by discussions and social festivities, at the
houses of its members. Other organizations are the Easthampton
Mutual Eelief Association, designed to do a life insurance work
for its members ; the Ionic Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons ;
the Doric Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, a society
somehow associated with masonry, and open to the mothers,
wives, sisters and daughters of masons ; the Humboldt Lodge, D.
0. H., No. 97 ; the Caledonian Thistle Club, and the St. Pat
rick's Mutual Benevolent Society, mutual relief societies among
the Germans, Scotch and Irish, respectively ; a branch of the So
ciety of the Grangers ; the Young People's Literary Society ; a
successful Lyceum ; and a Young People's Temperance organiza
tion. 11

82 LIST OF COLLEGE GRADUATES.
To supplement the list of Easthampton College graduates given
in the History of Easthampton, the following facts may be put
on record.
The class of '67 in the Classical Department of Williston Sem
inary contained four Easthampton boys. Of these, Henry H.
Sawyer graduated from Amherst College in 1871, since which
time he has been in business ; Charles H. Knight, from Williams
College in 1871, and afterwards from the College of Physicians
and Surgeons in New York City ; Alvin E. Todd, from Yale in
1871, and afterwards from Yale Theological Seminary ; Frank
Warner was two years in Williams College, and afterwards stud
ied music a year in Leipsic, Germany.
Frank E. Sawyer concluded his studies in Williston the same
year with the four, and went thence to the U. S. Naval Academy
at Annapolis, where he graduated in 1872. ,
George H. Baker graduated at Williston in 1870, and at Am
herst College in 1874. A part of the time since he has been
pursuing historical studies in Germany.
William B. Sawyer graduated at Williston in 1871, and at
Amherst in 1875 ; since which time he has pursued the study of
medicine in New York City.
Fred M. Leonard is now in Harvard College, and Arthur
Wainwright is in Amherst.
Several of the young ladies of Easthampton have pursued ad
vanced courses of instruction at Mount Holyoke and elsewhere
during the last ten years.
Among these are Misses Eunice A. Lyman and Alice C. Par
sons, who graduated at Mt. Holyoke in 1873. Misses Cordelia
Ferry, Sarah G. Lyman, and Nettie C. Janes have taken partial
courses there ; and Misses Lizzie M. and Nellie J. Mayher and
Sarah E. Lyman are at present in that institution. This list
may not be complete, even as respects Mt. Holyoke ; and cer
tainly is not as respects all higher schools.

INDEX.

N. B. — The subjects treated of in the Appendix are indexed under the
heading, Easthampton. The most important matters are indexed; but it
would require too much space to give a full index of names.
Arnold, expedition to Quebec through Maine, 35.
Bartlett's Mill, 7.
Bement, Rev. William, 63.
Beef for the army, 51.
Belchertown's non-consumption agreement, 17 ; She respects the provincial
tax levy, 22 ; Agrees to support independence, 29 ; Her Canada soldiers,
37 ; Appoints and backs a Committee of Safety, 39 ; To whom Capt.
Lyman complains, 41, 42 ; Her price list, 51, 52.
Berkshire regiment, Col. Patterson's, 24.
Breck, Rev. Robert, 28.
Burgoyne's surrender, 48.
Clapp, Maj. Jonathan and sons, 7, 12, 45, 46, 78 ; Joseph, 13, 14 ; Benjamin, 53.
Clark, Phinehas, 53 ; Capt. Philip, 13, 14.
Clergy, the, as patriotic leaders, 27, 28.
Clothing for the army, 50.
Committees of Correspondence and Safety, 9, 39-44.
Committee on paper rags, 61.
Congresses — Berkshire, 19 ; Hampshire, 20 ; First Provincial, 21.
Continental money, depreciation of, 51.
Cooper, Rev. Dr., 27.
Corse, Sergt , Ebenezer, 8, 9.
Danielson, Col. Timothy, 20, 23.
Dwight, Nathaniel, 41.
Easthampton — Settlement, 5-8 ; Separate organization, 13 ; Population in
1790,15,' Militia Company, 46; Revolutionary soldiers, 52-54; Fur
nishes clothing, 50 ; Events of the last decade, 61-80, as follows :
Banks— First National, 72; Savings, 73.
Churches— First, 14, 61 ; Payson, M. E., and Episcopal, 62.
Citizens— Notice of; Colton, Rev. A. M., 61; Henshaw, Rev. Marshall,
D. D., 67; Lyman.Rev. Solomon, 66; Seelye, Rev. Samuel T.,D. D.,
62 ; Wright, Rev. Luther, 65 ; White, Ezekiel, 66 ; Deaths of, 66.
Manufactures — Williston Mills, 70; National Button, Nashawannuck,
Glendale, Rubber Thread, Gas, and Valley Machine Companies, 71;
Mt. Tom Thread Company, 72.

84 INDEX.
Easthampton — Public Life — Town Officers, Legislators, Justices, etc., 73, 74 ;
Professions, 75 ; Tradesmen, 73; Printer, 81 ; Post Office, 75; Sta
tistics, 76.
Public Improvements— Cemeteries, 80; Fire Department, 79; Hotel, 75;
Library, 77, 78 ; Memorial Tower and Tablet, 77 ; Museum, 78 ; Side
walk, 79 ; Town Hall, 76, 77.
Williston, Hon. Samuel— Last days, death, and funeral, 64 ; Bequests,
65; Williston Mills, 70; Purpose as to the Seminary, 69; Gift for
the Cemetery, 80.
Williston Seminary— Quarter centennial, 67, 68; Alumni association
and record, 68 ; Endowment, present plans and faculty, 69.
Hadley, otherwise Norwottuck, purchase and settlement, 4. See also Porter,
Col. Elisha, 20.
Hampshire — Conventions, 20, 21, 41 ; Uprising after Lexington, 23, 24 ; Req
uisitions for troops, 36, 44-5-7-8-9.
Hardships, 35-6-8-9, 43.
Hannum, John, and Eleazer, 8, 13.
Hendrick, Israel, 9.
Hawley, Maj. Joseph — ^Denies England's right to legislate for us, 17 ; We
must fight, 19 ; Letter to Samuel Adams, 30; As a legislative leader, 81-
34 ; Urges the defence of the lower Champlain, 36 ; Chairman pf Com
mittee of Safety, 40 ; Letter to Col. Porter as to deserters, 43 ; His trust
in God, 55.
Hitchcock, Rev. Gad, 27.
Indians, the Norwottucks, their sale of Nonotuck, 2 ; of Capawonk, 3 ; of Had
ley, 4; Rights retained, 4; Their Chiefs, 5; Forts, 11; Departure, 11;
Massacre at Pascommuck by foreign Indians, 6 ; of N. Edwards, 10 ;
Anxiety from them, 12.
Independence dawning, 26, 26; making haste, 29; declared, 30, 31.
Janes, Dea. Obadiah, 14.
Judd, Rev. Jonathan, 9, 28.
Lyman, Dea. Elias, 21-40; Maj. Elihu, 35; Maj. Josiah 36, 37, 41; Capt.
Joseph 39, 46; Benjamin, 7, 13, 14; Benjamin, Jr., 8, 64.
Mahew, Rev. Jonathan, 27.
Montgomery, Gen. Richard, 36, 36.
Nonotuck — Its purchase, 1, 2 ; Boundaries, 2 ; Settlement, 3.
Northampton — First to pay the provincial tax levy, 22 ; Her Committee of
Safety, 40; Her soldiers, 24, 37-8-9, 44-6-9 ; Votes them bounties, 44-
7-9 ; Furnishes clothing and beef, 60, 51.
Pascommuck — Settlement, 6 ; Indian Massacre, 6.
Pomeroy, Col. Seth — Trusts reposed in him, 21, 22; At Bunker Hill, 26 ;
Committee of Safety, 40.
Pomeroy, Samuel, and Eldad, 8.
Phelps, Josiah, 8.
Porter, Col. Elisha— 28, 30; Washington appoints him to lead a regiment to
Quebec, 36; His diary, 37-39; Letter from Elbridge Gerry, 30; Is vili
fied, 42 ; Letter from Maj. Hawley, 43 ; Entertains Burgoyne, 48.
Prices regulated, 51, 52.
Quebec, expedition to, 35-39.

INDEX. 85
Revolution — A struggle to maintain ancient rights, 16; St^p act, 17; Port
bill, 17 ; Restraining acts, 17 ; Regulation acts, 18 ; The people favor re
sistance, 19, 20; Provincial Congresses, 21-23'; Martial preparation, 22;
Lexington, 23; Bunker Hill, 25; Independence, 29, 30 ; Military History,
35-54.
Settlements — Northampton, 3 ; Hadley, 4 ; Easthampton, 5-8 ; Southamp
ton, 9.
School Meadow, 7, 79.
Southampton — Trains minute men, 22 ; Her soldiers, 24, 35, 44 ; Her Com
mittee of Safety, 40 ; Furnishes clothing, 50.
Spirit of '76-44, 45.
Strong, Hon. Caleb, 34.
Town Meetings, their importance, 18 ; Pittsfield, 19.
Webb, Jolin, 1, 3, 5, 6.
Williston, Rev. Payson, 14 ; Hon. Samuel, 64-9, 79.
Williston Seminary, 67-69.
Wright, Dea. Stephen, 7, 13, 14.