Iflrtfet-*-

( 44^

• 1

..ii

.^' '^

4

'1

M ' I- I

r
CVx23 730
<
->«, -I- I'l''-
VI 1- T- IM
<
lif
4i ItC^S. *SP J
'iJ
«*§--W'-«rf' '&¦"!'
^k
^S^J^SpjP^^ rj^i
\^fm
¦* ' Ji*'
1 'J'-'4»tJ ^^M*^ ^^^B^^
"'j
W^PP
^ -It
jW^jf
?|^^S'!^?
^^
'y*'? (
YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

Gift of
Edith and Maude Wetmore
in memory of their father
George Peabody Wetmore
B.A. 1867

THE

Westfield Jubilee:

A REPOKT or THE

CELEBRATION AT WESTFIELD, MASS.,,
ON THE
Two HUI^DEEDTH AlTI^IYERSART
©{ t^e Ijticorporatinn of t^c SCotan,
OCTOBER 6, 1869,
WITH THE
HISTORICAL ADDRESS
OF THE
Hon. WILLIAM G. BATES,
AND OTHER
SPEECHES AND POEMS OF THE OCCASION,
toitt) on ^ppcnbyE,
Containing Historical Documents of Local Interest.

WESTFIELD, MASS.:
CLARK & STOKY, PUBLISHERS.
18 7 0.

Westfield, January 1, 1870.
Hon. William. G. Bates :
Dear Sir, — At a meeting of the Bi-Centennial General Committee,
held November 20, 1869, the following resolves were adopted unani
mously, viz. .
1. Tliat in belialf of tlie town of Westfield, the thanks of this Coinmittee be pre
sented to the Hon. Williain G, Bates, for his able and eloquent historical address ; and
that he be requested to furnish a copy of the same for publication.
2. That a Committee of Publication be appointed by this Committee, to prepare for
the press, and publish the proceedings of the Bi-Centennial Celebration, including the
address of the Hon. Wniiam G. Bates, and such accompanying notes and documents as
may be of permanent interest and value to the citizens and former residents of "Westfield.
' Voted, That Dr. J. Abbott, Edward B. Gillett and Thomas Kneil constitute the
Committee of Publication.
In accordance with the above, we have the honor of soliciting a copy
of your very excellent and able address at the Bi-Centennial Celebra
tion, held October 6, 1869, of the incorporation of our ancient aud be
loved town, for publication.
We shall also be pleased, if you can accompany it with such " notes
and doouments " in your possession as " may be of permanent interest
and value to the citizens and former residents of Westfield," and we
are persuaded it will be your pleasure to present such to the public in
connection therewith. Yours respectfully,
Jehiel Abuott,
E. B. Gillett,
T. Kneil.

Westfield, January 1, 1870.
Hons. Jehiel Abbott, Edward B. Gillett and Thomas Kneil,
Cornrniitee of Puhlication, ^c. .-
Gentlemen, — The historical address, of which you request a copy for
publication, is at your disposal, with my thanks for the approbation
whioh has been extended to it by my fellow-townsmen, and to yourselves,
for your kindly expression of it.
In the preparation of the address, only a part of which could have
been delivered, with a proper regard for the other exercises of the day,
a general exploration was made for the discovery of historical facts;
and, in the investigation, many documents, papers and records were
brought to light, which were new to me, and which, in my opinion, should
be collected and preserved for future use. The records of our own
town are in a dilapidated and decaying condition, and they need the
immediate care of a fond antiquary to rescue them from a speedy ob
livion. The publication of all the materials which I have gathered,
which relate to the early incidents, the original settlers, and, in fine,
the history of the town, would form a large volume; but I cheerfully
render to you from the collection, what, I trust, will be of a general in
terest to our present population, and, still more, to all the former inhab
itants of Westfield. I am, gentlemen, with respect, &c., your obedient,
William G. Bates.

Introduction.

The history of a town consists of facts, ordinarily, so
scattered and disconnected, as to be sought out and gath
ered with great difficulty. In preparing the history of an
old town, — one, which was founded within a half century
of the landing of the Pilgrimp, — there is a still greater
difficulty in the collection of materials, and more uncer
tainty as to the accuracy of the facts and conclusions.
The early records of the older towns were very imper
fectly kept ; many important facts were but partially
stated, and "time's decaying fingers" have obliterated
and removed many irrecoverable fragments from the
originally too scanty pages.
In preparing for the celebration of the two hundredth
anniversary of the incorporation of Westfield, much time
and labor were expended in the examination of the papers
and records of the town, and of the ancestral town of
Springfield. A search was also prosecuted among the
papers, documents and records of Springfield, and those
deposited in the archives of the commonwealth; and
some important facts were there obtained, which are new
to the public.

Vl INTRODUCTION.
Information of a traditionary character, also, was sought
from some of the old inhabitants ; and many old papers,
illustrating the early history of the town, were obtained
from their descendants. It was a matter of deep regret
to have been informed, that valuable papers for historical
purposes, had been destroyed, from time to time, as of no
supposed importance.
In the opinion of the committee of the town, and, also,
in that of very many of our citizens, a collection of facts,
gathered with much labor, and at considerable expense,
and collected and arranged in a methodical manner for
future reference, should be embodied in some permanent
form. Such a volume will constitute an enduring record
of our early history, for which the future generations of
those, who are here to live after us, will be thankful to us.
The celebration itself will be a landmark in the history
of our ancient town ; and, however humble may' be the
individuals who participated in the celebration, either as
contributors to the facts, fancy, sentiment, or history,
which were displayed, Or who came merely as visitors
from distant homes to the old hearth-stone of their race,
the memorial of their names, connected with the events,
which transpired upon this eventful historical day, will
be a record which will be appreciated more and more
highly, as advancing ages shall enhance the interest of pos
terity in the history of their ancestors.
We can not but have noticed an awakened interest in
the people of New England, in their genealogical record.
In the days of the founders of our colonial nation, they

INTRODUCTION. Vll
were not solicitous for the details of its future history.
Their hands were fully occupied with their present re
sponsibilities. Although they never doubted the ultimate
success of the efibrts, to which they had consecrated
themselves, yet "to be, or not to be," was with them, in
dividually, the important question. But, at the present
day, when their most fanciful imaginings have been more
than realized, in the wide-spreading extent of our Union,
and in the well-adapted powers of our Constitution, for
the government of the nation, however widely extended
may be its territorial boundaries, their early history has
become invested with a fascinating interest. We would
gladly know the minute history of those from whom we
sprang. Their appearance, their dress, their manner of
life, and their daily thoughts arouse our eager curiosity ;
and we would rejoice to snatch the most trifling circum
stances, connected with them, from oblivion. Along
with this desire to bring forward, and produce before us,
the faded pictures of the past, comes the correlative wish,
to perpetuate the present, for the eye of posterity. This
desire discloses itself in various manifestations of action.
When the foundations are laid of some memorial column,
or an edifice of a public character, and, sometimes even,
for the purposes of business, a corner-stone is placed with
imposing ceremonials; and, in a nicely-chiseled chamber,
are deposited the various specimens of art, science, litera
ture and commerce, which illustrate the characteristics,
or uses of the age. We have, upon the present occasion,
a collection of historical facts, which are interesting to

vm INTRODUCTION.
US. Of how much higher interest will they be to those
who will be the future inhabitants of Westfield, in the
generations which are to come.
The committee, therefore, requested their chairman to
arrange and publish the addresses, poems, and other ex
ercises in the church, the historical discourse prepared in
pursuance of the vote of the town, the speeches deliv
ered at the public dinner, the documents and letters of
reply from absent and self-exiled citizens, who traveled
many hundreds of miles to revive early recollections, and to
renew youthful friendships, — in short, all the facts and
proceedings, connected with the celebration, which would
impart an interest to an occasion, in which so many par
ticipated, and which will be remembered by some of them,
as one of the bright days of their lives.

Preliminaiy Proceedings.

For several years, prior to the year 1869, the at
tention of many of the citizens of Westfield had been
called to the subject of celebrating the two hundredth
anniversary of the incorporation of the town; and
there was a general wish, on the part of the people, to
engage in it. It was at times mentioned in the news
papers, and the idea was thus communicated to many
of the natives of the town, who had removed to foreign
and distant abodes. Many of them seemed to mani
fest an interest in the proposed celebration, and
promised to give their attendance upon the occasion.
Both these persons, and the present residents, antici
pated much pleasure in a proposed family gathering,
which should bring face to face, those who had been
long separated, and, indeed, those, who were wholly
strangers to each other.
At last, in the month of June, 1869, at the request
of several of our citizens, an article was inserted in
a warrant for a town-meeting, to be held on the third
day of July then next, to see what measures the town
would adopt for celebrating the two hundredth anni
versary of its incorporation. The meeting was held
accordingly. It was a large, and an intelligent one.
The subject was discussed in a free and an earnest
manner, and there was, we believe, an unanimous
feeling in favor of the proposed celebration. There

10 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
was, of course, a difference of opinion expressed, as
to the manner of conducting it ; but, upon a full inter
change of opinion, the following record expresses the
result, which was aimed at, with an entire unanimity :
At a meeting of the inhabitants, legal voters of the town of West-
field, holden July 3, 1869, Jehiel Abbott, moderator, it was —
Voted, That the town celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of
the incorporation of the town.
Voted, That a committee of twenty be appointed by the chair, to re
port to the town, at an adjourned meeting, some plan for the celebra
tion of the two .hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town,
and report the names of any necessary committees.
The chair appointed the following named gentlemen, to act as that
committee, in accordance with the preceding votes :

Hon. William G. Bates,
Col. David Moseley,
Henry J. Bush,
Silas Root,
Lucius r. Thayer,
Maj. George Taylor,
Lyman Lewis,

Samuel Eowler, Esq.,
George E. Knapp,
John Eowler,
Frederick Fowler,
Joseph M. Ely,
Hon. Thomas Kneil,
David Drake,

William Noble,
John B. Bancroft,
Dr. James Holland,
Reuben Noble,
Henry B. Lewis, Esq.,
Charles H. Bush.

At an adjourned meeting, holden July 17, 1869, it was —
Voted, to accept and adopt the report of Hon. William G. Bates,
chairman, which was as follows :
REPORT.
At a meeting of the committee appointed by tbe town, to consider
and recommend to the town what measures shall be adopted for the
celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of
the town of Westfield, which meeting was held at the office of William
G. Bates, on the evening of the 9th and 10th of July instant, it was —
Voted, 1. Tbat in the opinion of this committee, the interest and
the honor of the town demand, that the two hundredth anniversary of
the incorporation of the town of Westiield should be celebrated and
be observed as a holiday, by our present inhabitants, on Wednesday,
tbe first day of October next ; and tbat those citizens, who have emi
grated herefrom to other and distant states, and also their descendants
and farailies, — indeed all, who traoe their life-blood from this then
westernmost frontier post of civilization, — be invited to revisit the place of
their ancestry, and mingle with us here in a most interesting reunion.

PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS.

11

Voted, 2. That a committee, consisting of the following persons, be
appointed by the town, which committee shall have authority to fill
vacancies, to appoint sub-committees in those of their own numbers, or
of other persons, to arrange and superintend the order of the celebra
tion, and to appoint some suitable person to prepare an historical address :
to solicit, from the many very eminent citizens, who have heretofore gone
out from us, personal reminiscences and communications, scatter abroad
to them an invitation to our hospitalities, and provide the entertainment
proper for the occasion.
Voted, 3. That, in addition to the contributions, which we are as
sured will be made by hospitable and zealous citizens of the town, to
wards the expenses of this interesting jubilee, we recommend, that the
inhabitants of the town, in their corporate capacity, in aid of individuals,
authorize their selectmen to draw their orders for suoh sums as may
be necessary for defraying the expenses of the same, not exceeding five
thousand dollars. For the committee, William G. Bates, Chairman.

Names of the committee appointed by the adoption of the foregoing
report :

William G. Bates,
Maj. George Taylor,
Col. Silas Root,
Capt. Frederick Fowler,
Col. David Moseley,
Joseph M. Ely,
Cutler Laflin,
Reuben Noble,
George E. Knapp,
John B. Bancroft,
Hon. Thomas Kneil,
Dr. Jehiel Abbott,

Dr. James Holland,
Hon. Edward B. Gillett,
Henry J. Bush,
Henry Loomis,
Horace Ensign,
Henry Hubbard,
Frederick Bush,
Elihu Gaylord,
Lucius F. Thayer,
Henry B. Smith,
Hiram Fowler,
James C. Greenough,

Elijah Owen, Jr.,
Johu GiUett,
Thomas Cowles,
Samuel Horton,
Samuel Fowler,
Lewis R. Norton,
Darwin L. Gillett,
Hon. Henry Fuller,
George Green,
L. B. Blood,
Joseph Woolworth.

Voted, That the inhabitants of the towns of Southwick, Russell and
Montgomery, which formerly constituted portions of the town of West-
field, be cordially invited to unite with us in making that day memora
ble, which is endeared to the citizens of all those towns by so many
soul-thrilling associations.
Voted, That the moderator nominate three persons from the com
mittee this day appointed, who shall be a finance committee, to audit
and approve all bills, incurred in carrying out the proposed celebration,
and that the selectmen draw their orders for no bills, unless approved
by the finance committee, or a majority of the same.

12

WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.

Cutler Laflin, Col. David Moseley and Eeuben Noble were chosen
suoh finance committee.
Voted, That the town invite Hon. William G. Bates to deliver the
address on the occasion of the celebration.
At an adjourned meeting of the town, holden August 28, 1869, it was
Voted, To amend the vote whereby the town voted to celebrate the
two hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town, on Wednes
day, the first day of October next, so that the time shall be fixed to
Wednesday, the sixth day of October next.
Voted, To excuse Hon. Henry Fuller from serving on the com
mittee on the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the
incorjJoration of the town. William H. Footb, To^wn Clerh.
A true copy of record — Attest, William H. Foote, Totjon Clerh.
After the adjournment of -the town-meeting, the
committee held a session, and appointed the following
sub-committees, to arrange and carry out the parts
of the general programme. The committes were thus
constituted :
committee on tent and entertainment.
Frederick Bush, | L. R. Norton, 1 Samuel Horton.
L. F. Thayer, | Henry J. Bush, I

George Green,
H. B. Stevens,

committee on music.

J. R. Gladwin,
H. M. Miller,

J. G. Scott,
E. B. Smith.

commiitbb on feinting.
Cutler Laflin, | D. L. Gillett, | J. C. Greenough.

William G. Bates,
David Moseley,
James Holland,

committee on invitations.

Joseph M. Ely,
Samuel Fowler,

E. B. Gillett,
G. L. Laflin.

Thomas Knoil,
H. B. Smith,

EXECUTIVE committee.
Samuel Fowler, i C. K. Sanborn.

PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS.

committee on eeception or guests.

N. T. Leonard,
H. Hooker,
C. A. Jessup,

L. B. Blood,
D. L. Gillett,
George L. Laflin,

J. M. Moseley,
M. Loomis,
David Lamberton.

committee on decoeation.

L. F. Thayer,
John M. Moseley,
Andrew Campbell, 2d,
W. H. Foote,
W. A. Johnson,
A. C. Rand,

Henry Pease,
Charles F. Fowler,
G. Knapp,
E. B. Smith,
C. I. Snow,
L. H. Beals,

Arthur Crane,
W. H. Atkins,
Albert N. Brass,
E. W. Dickerman,
Emerson Jessup.

committee to aeeange the oeder of procession and bxeecises
IN the ciiurcu.

Cutler Laflin,
William G. Bates,
E. B. Gillett,
Cutler Laflin,

Thomas Kneil,

I Frederick Bush.

committee on sentiments.

Thomas Kneil,
M. B. Whitney,

J. W. Dickinson.

committee on finance.
I Reuben Noble, | David Moseley.

The following gentlemen were appointed officers
of the day :

Maj. George Taylor,
J. M. Ely,
Silas Root,
Thomas Ashley,
N. T. Leonard,
Oliver Moseley,
Franklin Arthur,
Ambrose Day,
Elihu Gaylord,
Samuel Drake,
Seth Cowles,

president.
Hon. James Fowler.
vice-presidents.
Dr. Jehiel Abbott,
Dennis Hedges,
Hon. E. B. Gillett,
Hon. Thos. Kneil,
Hon. M. B. Whitney,
Hiram Fox,
Hon. David Moseley,
Henry B. Smith,
Col Orrin Parks,
Dr. J. W. Rockwell
of Southwick, marshal.
Major Frederick Bush.

Reuben Noble,
James Noble, 1st,'
A. B. Whitman,
F. Fowler,
Alonzo Allen,
Elijah Ensign,
Hiram Owen,
Roland Parks of
Russell,
Octalony Moore of
Montgomery.

14

WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.

Samuel Dow,
Andrew Campbell, 1st,

assistant marshals.
A. F. Powers,
L. B. Walkley,
toast master.
Hon. Thomas Kneil.

J. M. Moseley,
F. D. Bush.

The committee upon invitations, issued a circular,
of which the following is a copy, which was also
printed in the Western Hampden Times, and the
News Letter, the two village papers published in West-
field, which notices were sent by mail to every known
family who had formerly lived in Westfield. A re
quest was also published, addressed to the inhabitants
of the town, and the friends of any of them, to
furnish the committee with any additional names of
persons, to whom they might wish to have invita
tions sent, the intention being to extend the summons
to every former resident, wherever situated. The fol
lowing is a copy of the invitation :
The Second Centennial Anniversary of the incorporation of the
town occurring during the present year, it has been decided by vote of
the town, to celebrate the event, and to circulate the notice as widely
as possible among the former citizens and their descendants.
All such are cordially invited to meet with us here, on the sixth day
of October next, and participate in the exercises, with the assurance
of a hearty welcome, both public and private. Every effort will be ex
erted to make the occasion interesting and profitable, and the stay of
our guests agreeable ; and it is hoped that the gathering of those who
have wandered to great distances, and have been long separated, will
warm the heart and quicken the feeling of common interest and union.
William G. Bates,
David BIoseley,
James Holland,
Josepii bi. Ely,
Samuel Fowler,
Edw. B. Gillett,
Wesljidd, 1860. Gboege L. Laflin,

Committee on
Invitations.

PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS. 15
Editorial notices of the meeting appeared in each
number of the papers, inviting a general attendance,
and also requesting information of the names and
residences of former inhabitants.
The following is a copy of the invitation, which was
sent or given to each guest from abroad:

Westfield, Massvi clvnsetfs,
October 6th, 1869.

To.

Your attendance and participation in this Festival is respectfully
and cordially requested.
The presentation of this note will secure admission to all the
exercises, including the collation.
An early reply is especially solicited.
William G. Bates,
Chairman Committee on Invitations.
The committee arranged the following programme
for the exercises of the occasion, which was published
and widely circulated by bills, and in the newspapers :
PROGRAMME.
1. Forty guns will be fired, and the bells of the several churches

rung at sunrise.

16 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
2. The Procession will form in front of the Woronoco House at 9-|
o'clock, A. M., and march up Elm to Franklin Street, thence to Wash
ington, thence to Court, through Court to the churoh, in the following
order: 1. Platoon of Police. 2. Cavalcade. 3. Gilmore's Band.
4. Returned Veteran Corps. 5. Firemen. 6. Town Authorities.
7. Teachers of Normal and Public Schools. 8. Committee of Ar
rangements. 9. Reverend Clergy. 10. President and Orator of the
Day. 11. Invited Guests. 12. Citizens of other Towns. 13. Citi
zens of the Town.
Maj. F. Bush was Marshal, and Col. L. B. Walkley,
S. Dow, A. Campbell, 1st, A. F. Powers, J. M. Moseley,
F. D. Bush, aids to the Marshal. At the church the
order of exercises was as follows :
1 . Voluntary on the Organ.
2. Voluntary by the Choir.
3. Address by the President, Hon. James Fowler.
4. Invocation by Rev. H. Hopkins.
5. Reading the Holy Scriptures by Rev. J. H. Mansfield.
6. Original Hymn by the Choir.
7. Address of Welcome by Hon. E. B. Gillett.
8. Reply by J. B. Eldredge, Esq. of Hartford.
9. Reading of Original Poetry.
10. Singing by the Choir, "Two Hundred Years Ago."
11. Oration by Hon. William G. Bates.
12. Music by the Band.
13. Prayer by Rev. E. H. Richardson.
14. Doxology.
15. Benediction.
On the Saturday preceding the memorable day, a
storm of rain commenced, and continued throueh
Sunday and Monday. The rivers rose to an unprece
dented hight. The levee, on the south side of the
Great River, was overflowed, and carried away by the
current, and the water rushed through the streets and
gardens in the meadows, northerly of Franklin Street,
carrying off fences, property, and, in some cases.

PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS. 17
buildings, in its terrible inundations. Alarm bells
were rung, and the people congregated to rescue
property, secure buildings, and to save life. The
railroads were partially submerged, and portions of
them were swept away. The transportation of freights
and passengers was arrested, and many of those, who
had signified their intention to unite with us, and who
had traveled long distances for the purpose, were
compelled to stop in their journey hither; and, —
finding that the means of conveyance were not
seasonably opened, — to return, disappointed, to their
homes. In very many cases, this was a severe disappoint
ment. Persons from "down East," who had come
as far as Boston, and from the West, — from west
ern New York, from Ohio, from Illinois, and the
Mississippi, — were thus arrested in their course.
Some of them returned at once to their homes ;
others procured other modes of conveyance, and
by circuitous roads, arrived during, and after the
exercises. Some set forth on foot, and with many
a weary mile of travel, reached town in season;
and many more waited for the cars, and came when *
the cars came, too late to join their friends in the
celebration. Arrangements were made, however, for
a reunion. On the evening of the 6th, an invita
tion was extended for a meeting at the house of
Mr. Bates ; and, on the evening of the 7th, the large
and elegant house of Mr. Lucius F. Thayer was thrown
open for all the inhabitants of the town, whether of
the present or the past.
An unfortunate incident also occurred, in defeating
the arrangements, in part, for the comfort and pleas
ure of the guests. We had engaged Gilmore's Band

18 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
of Boston, to take part in the exercises; the members
made an effort to reach their place of engagement, but
they were compelled to return. A part of the enter
tainment for the guests at the table was also engaged
to be forwarded from Boston and New Haven; but,
from the same cause, we were disappointed in its
reception. It will readily be supposed, that though the rain, on
the morning of the 6th, had abated, and the sun shone
forth with new brilliancy, yet that doubt hung over
our councils, in reference to the proceedings of the
day. The committee were hastily convened for an
ultimate decision ; some few persons favored a post
ponement to the next, or a future day ; but a little
consideration determined the conclusion to go for
ward; and, although we could not do all that was
desired for the pleasure of our friends, it was deter
mined to do all that we could, to make the occasion a
pleasant one. Accordingly, at IO2 o'clock, an hour
later than the announcement of the programme,
the procession was formed, and marched to the First
Congregational Church. The partitioning doors,
which separated, ordinarily, the auditorium from the
chapel, were raised, and the whole building was
closely filled, from front to rear, with an appreciative
audience. The following extracts are taken from the editorial
account of the celebration, published in the Western
Hampden Times of October 6, 1869, -with a few
verbal alterations, made by the consent of the author :
In this country where everything is comparatively
new, where many populous cities were mere hamlets
a score of years ago, a town two hundred years old

PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS. 19
may be considered to have attained a respectable de
gree of antiquity; and it seemed fitting that this
birthday of our venerable town should be honored
with more than a passing mention; that we should
pause in our activities, and give a retrospective glance
along the way whence we have come from a precari
ous beginning to an assured and growing pros
perity; that we should make this an occasion for
rekindling our altar-fires, for fanning into new life
the smouldering embers of old friendships, ahd for
the reuniting of sundered ties; an occasion for call
ing home the scattered sons and daughters of old
Westfield, to return and sit once more at their
mother's feet, and revive the love that once they
bore her; to forget all bitterness, and meet as in
a common home, on the level of a common brother
hood. To this end appropriations were made by the town
authorities, a committee of arrangements appointed,
and various measures instituted to render the day
enjoyable. Cordial letters of invitation were sent to
all emigrants from Westfield, known to the com
mittee, and weeks ago the mustering of the clans
commenced. So widely had time diffused the old
stock, that representatives came from every part of
the country; from western prairies, southern savan
nahs, and even the Pacific States.
Old men and women, long exiled, came to take the
last look of the old place ; many a young matron,
who went away a bride, came proudly carrying her
children with her; in many a household happy tears
were shed as the " boys " came home, whose feet had
so long been strangers to the threshold; on the street
were witnessed sudden greetings and hearty hand-

20 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
shakings, and middle-aged men smoothed out their
wrinkles and grew young again, as they laughed to
gether over their boyish "scrapes," or recounted the
flirtations of the old Academy days; some, alas, came
back to green graves and desolate homes, — perhaps,
to find the very homestead had vanished before the
march of improvement ; but here, as nowhere else,
could they "walk in soul" with those gone before,
and, although they could not but sigh over Time's
mutations, grateful for the love still left them they
grow happy in the joy of others. One and all seemed
imbued with a desire to enjoy to the utmost, this, the
only centennial anniversary which they would ever
know. Up to Saturday night last, all preparations for the
jubilee went on successfully ; during that night, com
menced the unprecedented storm that has desolated
so large a portion of our beautiful town, leaving in
place of faultless highways, well-kept garjdens and
trim lawns, gullied roads, broken walks, piled up
masses of rubbish and pools of foul water. This
unexpected calamity has carried grief into many
households, and a gloom has overspread the en
tire community; the blow is felt the more keenly
that it fell in the midst of a general rejoicing
over family reunions, or a happy expectation of the
same. The preparations for the celebration were in too
advanced a stage to admit of its postponement ; there
fore, while many of the minor details by which
we had hoped to enliven the entertainment were
necessarily omitted, the main programme was ad
hered to.
The morning was ushered in by a salvo of artillery

PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS. 21
and the merry clangor of bells, — an appropriate wel
come to such a luscious, golden day, one of royal
October's brightest gifts.
THE INVINCIBLES.
At eight o'clock the " Invincible Phalanx of An
cient and Honorables," headed by the last of the
aborigines, made their merry march through the
streets, — some of their costiimes faithful coj)ies of those
of "ye olden time," others of a nondescript and
ridiculous nature, which brought forth peals of laugh
ter from the spectators ; their big drum and ear-split
ting fife furnished a fitting accompaniment to their
laughable ride. At an early hour, the "green" pre
sented an appearance of gayety quite unparalleled in
Westfield annals. The big tent, with flying flags,
shone conspicuous; members of the different com
mittees were hurrying about, putting the finishing
touches to their arrangements ; crowds of people from
the adjoining towns were gathered in bright groups
upon the sidewalks, and a continuous line of vehicles
reached far along the principal streets ; nature still
wore her summer green, somewhat the worse for
wear, it is true, but brightened here and there by a
scarlet branch, as if to show her sympathy with our
festivities. THE PROCESSION.
The company of Veterans, under command of Capt.
Solomon, now appeared, their bayonets flashing in
the sunlight, their tattered banners, every rent of
which represented a struggle for freedom, carried as
proudly as when, something more than an accessory
to a gay pageant, they marched away with unflinch-

22 • WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
ing bravery, carrying our hopes and prayers with
them. They took their place in the procession,
which formed at half-past ten, in the following order :

1.2.
3.
4.5.

Cavalcade.
Returned Veteran Corps.
Fire Companies.
Town Authorities.
Teachers of Normal aud Public Schools.

6.

Committee of Arrangements.

7.8.

Reverend Clergy.
President and Orator of the Day.

9.

Members of tho Press.

10.

Invited Guests.

11.

Citizens from other Towns.

12.

Citizens of this Town.

EXERCISES AT THE FIRST CHURCH.
After marching through the principal streets, they
proceeded to the church, which fair hands had deco
rated most beautifully, the altar looking like a great
tropical flower just bursting into bloom; from the
mai-ble font rose a gorgeous pyramid of blossoms ;
festoons of evergreens draped altar and organ, hung
about the Rev. Edward Taylor's memorial tablet,
and framed in the portrait of our lamented Dr.
Davis ; the seasons were typified by bunches of corn
and grain hanging on either side of the organ arch.
After a spirited voluntary upon the organ by Mr.
Bartlett, and a voluntary sung by a choir of nearly
fifty voices, the honorable and venerable James Fow
ler gave a brief address as President of the Day ; re
citing various interesting reininiscenees reaching back
to the year 1800, illustrating and contrasting our fee
ble beginning and our present success. Among other
statistics, he gave the following. In the year 1853,

PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS. 23
the transportation business to and from the railroad
was performed by one man and a single horse and
wagon, and now between twenty and thirty horses
are required for the like business of the road.
The first coal yard established in Westfield was by
Mr. Gowdy, in 1857 ; at that time so small was the
consumption of coal, that in consultation with some
of the leading men, it was doubted if he could make
the business remunerative ; now the consumption of
coal is four thousand tons annually.
Rev. H. Hopkins followed with a few apj)ropriate
words of earnest prayer, the congregation joining in
repeating the Lord's Prayer. Owing to the illness of
Mr. Mansfield, the reading of the Scriptures devolved
upon Rev. Perkins K. Clark of Mitteneague, who is
•a native of Westfield. The following original hymn
was then sung by the congregation :
" Two centuries shrivel like a scroll,"
Touch'd by consuming fires ;
And heart to heart, and soul to soul.
Sons meet their buried sires.
To-day the reverent pilgrim hears
Their sweetly chanted airs ;
And, echoing through the vanished years.
Come back their holy prayers.
The Triune God, their only King;
•Their law. His stern decree;
Nor angel on his swiftest wing
Could more obedient be.
Grateful, on Pisgah's mount we stand.
Proud of this natal day;
Behind, that grand triumphant band;
Beyond, a sun-lit way.
And, that an age may brighter shine.
And truth our worship hold.
Grant us, oh God, that faith divine.
Which made our fathers bold.

24 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
So the on-gath'ring age may come.
At the next century's nod,
And, in this loved, enchanted home.
Adore our fathers' God.
This hymn was the efiusion of Mrs. Ellen Barr, a
daughter of the Hon. Patrick Boise, late a distin
guished lawyer of this town.
The next feature, in the order of exercises, was
the address of welcome, by Hon. Edward B. Gillett.
It was full of tender allusion, beautiful imagery and
cordial greeting. We give the words substantially,
but they afford a faint idea of that indescribable
something (which is more effective than any mere
trick of words, and which is indeed the heart beating
through the words,) which characterized this speech.
MR. GILLETT' S ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
Mr, President. Ladies and Gentlemen: — Wherever out in the
broad world the diverging paths of life may lead a man, or to whatever
returnless distances its uncertain currents may bear him, or however
long the years that intervene, if he has a heart in his bosom, there is
always one dear and delightful image pictured upon it, shining bright
and unfaded whenever the dusts of time are removed by the gentle
hand of memory, or washed away by her tears ; and that image is the
picture of the home of his childhood. There, every spot is consecra
ted by some fond memory, by some youthful pastime, some first love,
or some enduring friendship, or tender sorrow, or religious aspiration or
reverential feeling ; each bringing its tribute to reconstruct his early
home ; and to which, in all the sere and later years of life, the true
heart never ceases to turn.
As the sun-flower turns on her god when he sets
The same look which she turned when he rose.
The citizens of Westfield now resident here, some of them natives
and "to the manor born," others persuaded to cast their lot here by
the invitations of business, or the attractions of a pleasant home, or
drawn hither and held by gentler bonds, thoughtful of these sentiments,
and mindful that this year of our Lord is the two hundredth birthday of
our goodly town, — mindful, too, how this vine which our fathers planted

PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS. 25
has "sent forth its branches unto the river, and its boughs to the sea,"
— believed that they should be recreant to every filial and fraternal senti
ment if they did not on this natal day, call the wandering sons and
daughters back again to the old homestead, that they and we might
rescue one day from the homely tenor of common existence, and to
gether around the ancient hearth-stone fan the fading embers of old
and pleasant memories, retrace the paths of earlier years, tell of all the
pleasant ways in which our Father has led us, and together beneath
His smile set up three tabernacles, — to the Past, the Present, and the
Future. In pursuance of these considerations, our citizens in town-meeting
assembled, — that same democratic assemblage in which two hundred
years ago the legal voters of the town, representing a half score of
families, settled grave questions of policy and existence, — voted to set
apart this day as a memorial occasion, and to issue friendly summons
to all the absent children to be present and join with us in our festive
joys and memoraVe honors. And now we are glad to greet so many.
Most gladly would we have greeted more, but were the number far
less, the occasion would not be without ample compensations. Scores
of letters of response from all parts of the country, from the At
lantic shore to the Pacific sea, expressing the grief of those who
could not be with us to-day, breathe such tender and hearty sym
pathy with the occasion, such pride that it is to be worthily
signalized, such pleasure in not having been forgotten, and assur
ances of love, quickened and renewed, pledges of future solicitude
in all that pertains to the interest of their old home, and regrets
that they could not unite with us in laying the trophies they have won
elsewhere, at the feet of their honored mother ; and all so redolent
of filial affeotion, that I am sure they will be sedulously preserved
among the treasures of the town, even as an "alabaster box full of
precious odors." To our absent friends, remembered and beloved, who
are not " with us" but are yet " of us," we send cordial greeting.
To our honored guests, — Fathees and Mothers, and Brothers
AND Sisters : in the name and in behalf of my fellow-citizens, I of
fer you heartiest salutation ; and welcome you to our home and
yours. Even as though my hand thrilling with the warm pulses of all,
was within your hand, I give you homefelt and heartfelt greeting.
We are right glad to see you — glad to see so many familiar faces, as
well as so many faces, familiar only as they repeat and perpetuate the
features of kindred. We welcome you to all that is comprised in that
best word of our language, home,
4

26 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
As you cast filial eyes over the old landscape, you will perceive that
many places you once knew, you will know no more. But many things
the hand of man can never change. Mount Tekoa still stands sentinel
over our quiet valley. Our town is still " beautiful for situation."
The same environment of blue hills defines our horizon-line of unsur
passed beauty. Our valley still nestles iu the valley scooped out for it
by the hand of nature below the sheltering hills, and enfolded by the
shining arms of two rivers as they bend for mutual embrace. We wel
come you to our town, improving, as we believe, in thrift, wealth, en
terprise, and in moral and intellectual culture. We point to our schools,
doing honor even to the commonwealth of Massachusetts; to our
school-houses, those light-houses of interior New England, blazing with
more than Promothian fire ; to our Athenaeum, over whose portals is
inscribed the name of one munificent donor, and upon whose interior
walls is suspended the portrait of another loyal son of Westfield, and a
generous benefactor ; to our churches, which lift their graceful spires, as
if to point the soul to heaven and draw blessings do^n ; to our pulpits,
echoing with the earnest and concordant voices of a ministry, in whose
presence we exclaim from Sabbath to Sabbath, as you and we did in
the days of their predecessors revered and beloved : " How beautiful
upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that
publisheth salvation . ' '
We point to our farms and fields, to our places of mercantile, me
chanical and manufacturing avocations, all demonstrating that whole
some and uniforra prosperity which has never been retrograde, or station
ary. I know that the old Hampshire and Hampden Canal, which forty
years ago you dreamed would prove to be the enchanter's wand by which
to transfigure our town into a city, is among the *" things that were,"
and its dead body lies among us, "extending full many a rood." But
the genius of modern enterprise has sounded a resurrection trumpet
over its grave, and to-day the "iron steed" tramples hourly over the
very lid of its cofSn ; while above its track, invisible couriers on wings
of lightning bring us within "electric touch" of our friends all over
the world. To-day our railroads and telegraphs " box the four points of
the compass."
Before leaving our homes you may look npon scenes awakening sad
memories. In our church-yard and cemetery you will read the record
of the " loved and lost," but you will also look upon the graves of pat
riots and heroes who gave their lives to their country in our great war,
and bequeathed their memories to us ; and over whose sacred dust, as
the seasons return, we will scatter the flowers of gratitude and love.

PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS. 27
We point also with pride to almost two hundred living soldiers, who
attested their willingness, if the country had demanded the sacrifice,
to lay their bodies by the side of tbeir slain comrades in glory. But
I will no longer indulge in these complacent utterances, although par
donable in our family gathering, but will hasten again and again, to
offer welcome to each and every one. Ye fathers, with hair bathed
in molten silver — ye mothers, with names dearer and holier than any
earthly name — young men with vigor crowned, and maidens " fairer
than the light," — one and all, welcome, a thousand times, Welcome !
J. B. Eldredge, Esq., responded felicitously as fol
lows: MR. ELDREDGE' S RESPONSE.
Mr. Chairman and Citizens of Westfield: — I need hardly say how
much I regret that the duty of responding to the warm-hearted and
eloquent welcome of my friend, who represents on this occasion the
good people of Westfield, has not devolved upon one who could better
command language fitting the occasion — upon one who had better
learned the art of expressing in ¦words the sentiments and emotions
that the \xes.xi feels.
It is always pleasant to receive a welcome from friends and neigh
bors — to receive the smile and commendation of a mother, even though
we feel that we have been wayward and disobedient, and have in some
sense discarded her " ¦watch and care." Hence those of us who have
wandered away from our early home, in whose behalf I speak, are
especially gratified at the more than generous — the affectionate wel
come which your representative has given us — a welcome in keeping with
the far-famed social and hospitable character of the people of Westfield.
It is one of the fortunate and happy eras of my life that I am per
mitted to be present on this occasion. I rejoioe in what my eyes have
seen and my ears have heard this day, reviving and reproducing as it
does, the memories and scenes of my school-boy days which were mostly
spent in this honored old town. I have never ceased to feel nvy -pulse
quickened at the mention of the name of Westfield, or to rejoice in the
fact that I could be called one of her children.
But in addition to the fact that Westfield i^s endeared to me by many
of the tenderest associations of my early life, I love and cherish her
memory for many reasons personal to myself — for the geniality and so
cial worth of her people for at least two generations which I have per
sonally known — for the deservedly high character and benign influence
of her schools and churches — and more especially for the fact that I

28 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
have here found the ever-cherished partners of my life-journey, the
descendants, I may be allowed to say, of the best blood of New Eng
land — their ancestors on the mother's side, being the Rev. Edward
Taylor, the first settled minister of the town, a tablet to whose mem
ory is placed in yonder wall, and on the father's side, such men as the
Rev. Richard Increase and Cotton Mather — names everywhere hon
ored' in New England. And in addition to this, I feel that it is not
improper for me to say that I am peculiarly drawn toward this beauti
ful village, of which her citizens may justly be proud, by the fact that
he with whom I was so many years associated in brotherly friendship
and love, and whose social worth and personal integrity was an honor
to the plaoe that gave him birth, did here take so prominent a part and
lend so willing a hand in founding an institution designed in the gen
erations to come to mould the public mind, and in favor of a more gen
eral moral and intellectual culture, and to aid in planting deeper the
seeds of truth and public virtue.
All these considerations and many others that I will mention, have
moved me to be present on this occasion, and to participate in the min
gled joy and sorrow of this present scene. For I need not tell you
that this day and these scenes have their shady as well as their sunny
side. As I walk about the streets of this lovely village, and call to
mind the names and scenes of other days, I am most solemnly im
pressed with the fact that the friends and acquaintances of my youth
are nearly all gone. I look in vain for a solitary one left of many of
the prominent families of the town when I was a boy. I look in vain
for the descendants or representatives of the Farnum family, the King
family, the Sheldon family, the Hamilton family, the Mather family,
the Morgan family and many others. But so it has always been with
the generations of men. They flourish for a season, and then pass
away to be no more seen on the earth ! Tbe lesson that we should
learn from this impressive fact — which comes to us witb especial force
on suoh an occasion as this — is that the great purpose of life is to be
faithful to all its duties, and that the daily obligation that rests upon us,
is to — " So live, that when the summons comes to join
The innumerable caravan, that moves
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls of death.
Thou go, not like the quarry slave at night,
Scourged to his dungeon, but sustained and soothed
By an unfaltering trust in Him who came
To guide thee to immortal joys aliore."

PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS. 29
Following the response of Mr. Eldredge, was read,
by Mr. L. F. Thayer, the stanzas here inserted, writ
ten for the occasion, by Miss Fanny Buhler Bates, one
of the daughters of the orator of the day .
We come, we come, this festal day, to join the joyful throng,
Who meet to pass the golden hours in mirth and happy song;
Away with care ! let every heart with quickened fervor glow !
We tread the paths our fathers trod, two hundred years ago !
Still rush the restless rivers down to meadows fresh and fair.
And sing their songs through grove and field, and love to linger there;
Till, met at last, in gentler mood, the mingled currents flow;
But where are they, who watched their tide, two hundred yearsago ?
Still rise the mountains in their might, from plains that wave around;
And proud Tekoa lifts her head, with loftier honors crowned ;
Still guardian hills encircle round the vale, that sleeps below;
But they are gone, who climbed their heights, two hundred years ago !
We come to press, with reverent feet, this memory-hallowed ground.
Where sleep the great, heroic dead, 'neath many a grassy mound;
To brush the dust from bygone years, and bid the record show
The honored deeds of those, who lived two hundred years ago.
We come to gather up the links of friendship's severed chain;
To wander back o'er life's long path, aud find our youth again;
To grasp the hands of early friends, whose life-long faith we know.
And talk of all our fathers did, two hundred years ago !
We come to rest, a few, brief days, within our childhood's home ;
To garner up a precious store, for weary years to come;
Along the old, familiar streets, to wander to and fro,
And think, our fathers walked these ways, two hundred years ago !
And they are met with us to-day, although we heed them not !
Unseen by any mortal eye, they hover round this spot !
No sound of gathering hosts is heard; but yet, we feel, we know.
Our fathers meet, where first they met, two hundred years ago !
To Him who guides our wandering feet, to walk these pleasant ways.
And brings us to our home again, we lift a song of praise;
We bless Him for these fruitful flelds; — that peace and plenty flow.
Where spread a trackless wilderness, two hundred years ago !

30 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
We praise Him for our honored dead, who fought the fight so well;
Who reared, through toil and anxious care, the homes where now we
dwell;
We bless Him, that He nerved their arm, to vanquish every foe.
And smiled upon this lovely land, two hundred years ago !
The moments speed! relentless time his course will not delay;
We, too, shall fade and pass away, as dies this autumn day;
But children of the unborn years, with conscious pride will glow.
To tell of all their fathers did, two hundred years ago !
And as the pages of the past, are bright with deeds of fame, —
As glory crowns the honored dead, and shouts their loud acclaim, —
So may unfolding days and years recurring tokens show.
Our fathers builded not in vain, two hundred years ago !
The next performance in the order, was the singing
of responsive hymns, entitled " Two Hundred Years
Ago," and "Two Hundred Years to Come." It was
a beautiful and effective performance. The hymns
themselves were appropriate, and, of course, effective
by their appositeness ; but the interest in them was
increased by the manner of their rendering, and by
the harmonious tones of each of the responding choirs.
It should be known that, in the rear of the pulpit,
is the place for the church choir, which is in front of
the organ, filling the arch in the rear of the church,
the front of the organ being thirty feet. In this
choir, were placed a part of the singers, who had
been effectively trained for the exercises ; and in the
front gallery of the auditorium, was the residue of
the singers. We remark, in passing, that the sing
ers who contributed so highly to the interesting parts
of the performances, were some of the best singers of
all the different religious societies of the town, and
they were assisted by several amateurs, who volun
teered their voices "in the service of song," upon
this memorable occasion.

PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS. 31
*
The several stanzas were responded to, stanza by
stanza, by the different choirs ; and though the
church was crowded to its fullest extent, we have
never noticed a more appreciative stillness. Every
word of the hymns was distinctly enunciated, so that
the affecting thought was impressed upon the heart,,
deepened still further into the soul by the thrilling
harmony. We insert the hymns below, as a part of the his
tory of the day. Although they were not, as were
the other performances, home productions, they were
so incorporated into the grand scheme of the cele
bration as to become a part of it ; and those surely,
who heard them in their uttered harmony, will ever
wish to preserve them as a part of a cherished record.
TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
Where are the birds that sweetly sang
Two hundred years ago ?
The flowers that all in beauty sprang
Two hundred years ago ?
The lip that smiled — the eyes that, wild
In- flashes shone, bright eyes upon, —
0 where, 0 where are lips and eyes.
The maiden's smile, the lover's sighs
That were so long ago,
O where, O where, that were so long ago ?
Who peopled all the village streets.
Two hundred years ago ?
Who filled the church with faces meek
Two hundred years ago ?
The sneering tale of sisters frail.
The plot that worked another's hurt, —
O where, O where are the plots and sneers.
The poor man's hopes, the rich man's fears.
That were so long ago,
O where, O where, that were so long ago?
Where are the graves where dead men sleep
Two hundred years ago ;

WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
Who, whilst they lived did ofttimes weep
Two hundred years ago?
By other men, they knew not then.
Their lands are tilled, their homes are filled,
Yet nature, then, was just as gay.
And bright the sun shone as to-day.
Two hundred years ago,
Two hundred years ago, two hundred years ago.
TWO HUNDRED YEARS TO COME.
Where, where will be the birds that sing.
Two hundred years to oome ?
The flowers that now in beauty spring,
Two hundred years to come ?
The rosy bp, the lofty brow.
The heart that beats so gaily now, —
O where will be love's beaming eye,
Joy's pleasant smile and sorrow's sigh,
Two hundred years to come ?
Two hundred years to come ?
Where, where, where, two hundred years to come?
Who'll throng for gold this crowded street.
Two hundred years to come?
Who'll tread this church with willing feet.
Two hundred years to come ?
Pale, trembling age, and fiery youth.
And childhood with its heart of truth;
The rich, the poor, on land and sea, —
Where will the mighty milHons be.
Two hundred years to come?
Two hundred years to come ?
Where, where, where, two hundred years to come ?
We all within our graves shall sleep.
Two hundred years to come.
No living soul for us will weep.
Two hundred years to come.
But other men our lands will till.
And others, these, our streets will fill,
While other birds will sing as gay, —
As bright the sun shine as to-day, —
Two hundred years to come.
Two hundred years to oome.
Here, here, here, two hundred years to come.

PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS. 33
The oration of Mr. Bates succeeded this heart-
stirring performance. He announced, early in the
address, in explanation of a want of continuity in it,
that parts of it, in the diflferent portions, would be omit
ted in the delivery. The omissions are supplied in the
following pages of it; and many of the documents,
bearing upon the early history of the town, the names
and notices of some of the early settlers, the allotment
of lands to them, and extracts from the records relat
ing to the ecclesiastical history, and the proceedings of
the inhabitants, are inserted in an appendix.

HISTORICAL ADDRESS

BY

WILLIAM G. BATES.

Historical Address.

Fellow -Citizens of Westfield: — In the name of the in
habitants of this goodly town, I bid you all a cordial
welcome. Whether you were born within its ancient
boundaries, and still remain within it, blending all your
associations with the thiugs, which pertain to its peace,
its welfare and its honor, and extending and interlacing
your affections with those, who, with you, compose this
incorporate brotherhood, in the great family of the Union,
determined here to stand and fight the great battle of life,
and here to fall, and rest from your well-done labors; or,
whether, having forsaken all other towns or cities, states
or territories, and renounced all allegiance unto them, you
have adopted this, as your earthly home, here to abide, as
one of its children, and to seek its peace and welfare, as
long as Grod in his providence shall continue you bere;
or, whether, seduced by buoyant hopes, and brilliant im
aginings of future good, you went out from this home of
your nativity, and, with that striking peculiarity, which
has become a distinctive feature of the Pilgrim character,
you proceeded to form new settlements, to build up new
towns, new cities, and new states ; to extend the domains
of civilization into unbroken solitudes, and to make the
waste places vocal with the music of New England indus
try and enterprise ; or whether, being the descendants of
those pioneers in the march of improvement, and moving
with them, and beyond them, to the then frontier states,
and thence forward, over the plains, the rivers., aud the
mountains, which look down upon the golden shores of

38 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
the Pacific, in obedience to this kindly, but peremptory
call of your old mother, you have come back to this her
gladsome anniversary ; or, whether, born in distant lands,
and under foreign jurisdictions, and renouncing all alle
giance to every foreign prince and potentate, you have
fled from the impositions, the oppressions, and the turbu
lence of the old world, to enjoy here, the equal laws, the
equal powers, and the domestic peace and quiet of our
own country, — to each oue, and to all of you, we extend
the endearing address of "fellow-citizens," and bid you,
in the words of the kindly Samoset, the Indian sachem,
¦welcome, welcome to Westfield!
And, truly, upon what more interesting occasion, could
this vast audience assemble, than upon this anniversary !
It is but little more than two hundred years, since the first
white man ever set his foot upon this rich alluvium. It
is the two hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of
this town ! It is its two hundredth birthday ! There
may be future similar anniversaries, as century after cen
tury shall roll on their cycles ; but there can be none for
us, or for our children. When the sun of this day shall
have gone down, the occasion will be forever gone, and
more thau three generations of men must pass away, before
those, who are to come after us, and dwell in this "pleas
ant and well watered valley," and on these encircling hills,
can again convene, upon a centennial day, to commemo
rate the heroic devotion of those, who here, in a savage
wilderness, made glad "this city of our Glod." How pecu
liarly fitting then it is, — nay, how strongly do duty, grati
tude, filial affection, and the throbbing of patriotic fervor
go hand in hand with social pleasure, — that all who live
here, all who have lived here, and all who trace their life-
blood to those who formed, or who maintained and de
fended, this frontier settlement,— this most distant military
outpost, on the advancing line of Christian civilization,—
should step off, for a few days, from the wearisome tread
mill of life, should pause awhile, from the engrossing
whirl of the passing world, should come together from

MR. bates' address. 39
the distant points, where our homes have been cast, in
this vast country, should mingle, with one heart, like
brothers, around the hearth-stone of "our honored parent,
and awaken new recollections of the times, which, in a
peculiar manner, "tried men's souls." How fitting and
proper it is, that this anniversary should be celebrated;
that age and wisdom should honor it; that youth should
be imbued with the feeling, of homage, which is justly
due tp self-sacrificing virtue; that music should swell the
chorus of gratitude, and that the solemn prayer should as
cend to the great Euler of the Universe, in the spirit of
those words, which haven become the honored motto of
our commonwealth, that He, who brought the fathers of
this nation hither, will sustain and protect those institu
tions, which, by them, were planted in His name, and for
His glory.
Let us, then, go back. to that eventful morning, than
which none has ever ushered in a more eventful day in
the world's history, — the 22d day of December, in the
year 1620.
I do not propose to rehearse the labors, the trials, and
the sufferings of the Pilgrims. Their characters have
been painted by three almost more than mortal pencils.
Choate, Everett and Webster have portrayed the heroism
of their lives, with a luminousness, which would shine out,
with distinctive brightness, in the most gorgeous halo of
the world's eloquence. Their daily history, also, has re
cently been delineated, with an industry, an impartiality,
and an ability, which will hand down the name of Palfrey
to succeeding generations, as the historian of 'New Eng
land. But there are those remarkable features of the Pil
grim life, those distinctive peculiarities, apparently born
in them, but, probably, called forth by the strength of
their convictions of what was necessary to be done, in the
nation-forming effort, which they had consecrated them
selves to make, which became a part of their very being;
and, descending to their successors, have become one of
the constituent parts of the l^ew England character.

40 westfield BI-CENTENNIAL.
There are, besides, in the record of their lives, examples
of bravery, fortitude, courage, devotion, faith and hope,
all sustained and kept alive by a determined holy pur
pose, which has given, to their times, the title of "the
heroic age of the republic: " and it is proper to refer to
them, in connection with the history of those, whom we
have met to honor, as showing, that the founders of this
town have done no dishonor to the heroes of Plymouth.
The long and distressful wintry voyage of over three
months, was approaching its end. The May-Flower, a
barque of one hundred and eighty tons, hardly of sufii
cient size for a coaster upou th% shores of a summer sea,
with its precious freight of one hundred and two souls,
at last dropped her anchor in the roadstead of Province-
town, within the unprotected harbor of Cape Cod.
Driven from their destination by the storms which had
burst upon them, or led astray^ by the bad faith of the
captain of their vessel, they proceeded to explore the
unknown coast. Never, since Eneas sought for the site
of a new empire in Italy, did greater consequences de-:
pend, than those, that hung upOn their decision. But,
it is to be observed, as illustrating the fixedness of their
purpose, and the great and statesman-like views which
pervaded their action, that, before they made the harbor,
or dropped their anchor, they subscribed a written organ
ization for the governance of the colony. It commences
with the solemn phrase, which is usually the beginning
of a last will and testament — "In the name of God,
amen ! " Reciting, that having undertaken, for the glory
of God, the advancement of the Christian faith, and the
honor of their king and country, a voyage to plant the
first colony in the northern part of Virginia, they sol
emnly and mutually, in the presence of God and one
another, covenant and combine themselves together into
a civil body politic, for the better ordering and preserva
tion and furtherance of the ends proposed; and by vir
tue thereof, to enact, constitute and frame such just and
equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, as

MR. bates' address. 41
shall be thought most meet and convenient for the col
ony ; unto which they each subscribed their names, and
promised to it all due submission and obedience. This
important compact was dated on the eleventh of Novem
ber, 1620 ; and, after its execution, the anchor was cast,
and preparation was made for the next day's holy rest.
With the Monday of the next week, the explorations
began. They were informed, that Agawam, now Ipswich,
had a good harbor and fertile lands ; but, as it was so dis
tant, they concluded to fix at Plymouth, their infant col
ony. The May-Flower, accordingly, cast its anchor in
the bay ; the Pilgrims were conveyed to the shoal-water
in the pinnace ; and, from thence, the women and chil
dren were borne upon the shoulders of men to the icy
shore, with no shelter to cover them but the leafless
branches, which waved above them in the stormy winds
of heaven.
The next day was their first Sabbath, on the shore of
New England; and, with a more than Jewish strictness,
they observed the command, — "in it, thou shalt not do
any work; " but, on the following day, they set out to erect
a rude platform for their cannon, a storehouse of twenty feet
square, for their provisions, aud several rude huts of logs,
embanked with snow, for their habitations. Scarcely, how
ever, had they begun to secure themselves a covering,
when disease followed close upon the steps of famine, ex
posure, and suffering. At one time, only seven of their
number were able to attend the sick; and, of the forty-
eight adult males, comprising the colony, twenty-eight of
them were carried out to the hill, and buried, their graves
being carefully leveled, that the savages might not ascer
tain the diminution ofthe colony. But, says the historian,
their "courage and fidelity never gave out. The well car
ried out the dead, through the cold and snow, and then
hastened back from the burial, to wait upon the sick; and,
as the sick began to recover, they took the places of those,
whose strength in the meantime, had been exhausted.
There was no time, and there was no incliuatiou, to des-

42 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
pond. The lesson rehearsed at Leyden, was not forgot
ten, 'that all great and honorable actions are accompa
nied with great difficulties, and must be both enterprised
and overcome with answerable courages.' "
At last came on, what, eveu to such men as they were,
must have been a day of the sternest trial. They, on
their election day, had re elected their governor, John
Carver, and enacted such laws and ordinances, as they
"thought behooveful for their present estate and condi
tion." They had become, — on the shores of New Eng
land, hemmed in by a wilderness populated by savages, on
the one side, and by a boundless ocean on the other, — a reg
ularly-organized commonwealth, under a written consti
tution, and with all the requisite forms and appliances of
a free government. The only tie, the only link which
connected them with the old world, — with the home from
which they had departed, — was the small barque, riding
at anchor in the harbor; and she was about to unfurl her
sails, to the return-passage, and to leave them alone, on
that desolate shore, forever. At this distant period, sur
rounded by all the comforts and enjoj'ments of life, and,
in the midst of that tranquillity, repose and security, which
alone can render life enjoyable, we can poorly estimate
the intense strain, which was then brought to bear upon
the resolution of those devoted men, at this crisis of the
national life. We can, ho'wever, imagine some of the in
fluences, by which their fortitude was tested, as the great
thought, — whether they were "to be, or not to be," — be
came the all-important question of their lives.
The terrible fact stood out before them, in all its as
tounding significance of peril, that nearly one-half of their
colony, includiiig more than one-half of the strong men,
by whose arms they were to be defended and maintained,
already slept in their undistinguished graves. But they
knew, that they had died in a good cause, to which the
dead and the living had alike been consecrated.
The picture of present and coming want was before
them, in the scarcity of provision, and in the absence of

ME. bates' address. 43
those needed delicacies for the sick and the invalid,
which they had consumed during the distemper, which
had brought so many of them to the grave. They feared,
also, for the recovery of others of their number, especiall}^
of their estimable governor, who was suffering from the
fatigue, the anxiety, the watchings and the famine, which
he had undergone, — and, from the effects of which, he soon
after died ; and they felt, that when their barque should
hoist its anchor, and "its snow-white sail" should fade
away from their lingering vision, the last link would be
dissevered, which connected them with the humanity of
the world.
But, on the other hand, they knew the purposes for
which they came, and they estimated, — they could not
estimate too highly, — the consequences which hung upon
their decision. Those great and good men, William
Brewster, their elder, and Miles Standish, their valiant
commander, — men, who, during the whole course of their
distemper, had been " the hewers of wood and the draw
ers of water," and who, by night and by day, had per
formed the menial ofiices, which attend the couch of sick
ness, willingly and cheerfully, — were still with them, each
of them endued with a resolution, an energy and a
strength, equal to their day. There came also to their
recollections, the. solemn compact, which they had signed
in the harbor of Cape Cod, binding themselves to each
other, to establish and perpetuate a civil government, of
equal laws, where they, and their successors might enjoy
that inestimable right, — the vindication of which had called
down upon them the persecutions of their government,-^
" freedom to worship God ! " and, although one-half of
the number, who put their hands to this first free charter
of liberty, were, in this brief period, entombed in the soil
of their new home, yet that land, but now consecrated to
civil and religious liberty, became thereby the more en
deared to them, by the precious dust of their kindred and
compatriots, which was sleeping there.
Who can say what bright visions of future glory were

44 westfield BI-CENTENNIAL.
opened to their excited imaginations, as they reflected,
that the very darkness of the night raight be only a fit
ting prelude to a refulgent morning.
The win ter had passed away. "Warm and fair weather"
had come at length, and the birds, as their record states,
"sung in the woods most pleasantly." Massasoit had
become their friend and ally, and Samoset had uttered to
them his salutation of "welcome Englishmen!" And,
to their minds thus refined and sublimated by suffering,
reminded day by day by each succeeding death, and by
each new throb of anguish, more and more deeply of the
constraint, which despotism had imposed upon their con
sciences, and was striving to perpetuate upon the con
sciences of their posterity, it is not to be wondered at,
that wisdom should assume the character of enthusiasm ;
that the deductions of reason should swell into the in
spired convictions of duty ; and that, with the fortitude
and spirit of daring which attach to those men, in whom
a sense of right trampled upon, unites with a feeling of
religious obligation, they should feel amid their hin
drances, that trials, sufferings, aud even death itself, were
nothing, except so far as they were obstructions to the
great scheme, to which God had consecrated them, for the
evangelization of the world. Is it too improbable, too
unnatural to be supposed, that the events, which the last
two centuries have brought forth, should have been fore
shadowed to their enthusiasm, in what seemed to thera
as. a divine revelation ; that they should have felt, that
the state which they had planted, the institutions they
had designed,— and designed too with a political wisdora,
of which neither the learning of Greece or Rome ever
dreamed,—" concealed from ages aud revealed to them," 
were to be extended throughout the whole great conti
nent; that, from their small cabined settlement, the march
of civilization was to proceed through the unexplored
forest, extinguishing the smoke of pagan sacrifice, and
substituting therefor the worship of the true God; level
ing the forests, and letting in the sun upon the sites of

MR. bates' address. 45
thousands of future towns and cities, all glowing M'ith
the civil and religious liberty, which they had estab
lished, as man's inalienable birthright ; aud to extend,
ou and on, till the shores of a distant and unknown ocean,
whitened b}' the sails of commerce, and studded with the
beauty of thriving cities, should be the ports of a great
highway, from which civilization, Christianity, and the
blessings of a free government were to embark and pass
over to the great continent of the pagan world.
The eventful fifth of April, at last, came. The May-
Flower swung, for the last time, at her moorings, in the bay
of the first commonwealth of nations. They bade adieu to
the crew, now also reduced to one-half of their number ; the
anchor was hoisted; the sails were spread; and, as their
brightness faded out, iu the eastern horizon, every un
daunted Pilgrim, man, woman and child, was left on the
inhospitable shore, with little else but their bright hopes,
— glowing up from their sickness and their solitude, —
that a grateful posterity would rejoice, in their successful
labors. Between 1620 and 1628 a number of efibrts were made,
by commercial companies, to establish colonies in New
England; but the attempts were unsuccessful. But, in
1629 and 1630, a new colony was established at Massachu
setts Bay,, by men of the same principles, as were the men
of Plymouth, uuder the lead of Winthrop and his associ
ates. "It is," in the language of the governor, "by a
mutual consent, through a special over-ruling Providence,
and a more than ordinary approbation of the churches of
Christ, to seek out a place of cohabitation andconsortship,
under a due form of government, both civil and ecclesi
astical." Their vessel arrived on the twelfth of June,
1630 ; and, before the winter set in, they were recruited
by a goodly company, consisting of about one thousand
of well-conditioned, intelligent persons.
Such was the origin of the Plymouth Colony, and such
was that of "the Massachusetts. Bay." Such were the
labors, the dangers and the sacrifices, by which were es-

46 • WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
tablished the institutions, under which we live. Such were
the men, who were our ancestors, aud the founders of
this goodly .town.
" Such time, such toil required the Roman name ;
Such length of labor for so vast a frame.''
This cursory narration ofthe history of the two leading
New England colonies, their objects and purposes, the
character of the colonists, their energy, determination,
persistence, or, if you please so to call it, obstinacy, — but
at all events, it was a resolution founded in the obliga
tions of conscience, — renders it unnecessary to rehearse
the details of their proceedings, from 1630 down to the
era of the settlement and incorporation, which we have
met to commemorate. It is to be observe'd, however, that
there is one feature of their policy, which protrudes itself,
as a remarkable peculiarity in the history of their coloniz
ation. Ordinarily, when emigrants have gone out from
the parent stock, for colonial purposes, it has been to
found a settlement for private purposes ; to found a town,
or, at most, a city. But, this was no part of the Pilgrim
scheme, except, as it was auxiliary to the great plan of
forming a nation. They did not land at Plymouth to
build up Plymouth, as a single town or city; or select
the small peninsula of Boston, comprising a space of only
seven hundred and fifty acres, to constitute within its
limits, the colony of Massachusetts Bay. They came to
form a state ! Their intention was declared before their
anchor was dropped on the shore of the new world ; and
their whole subsequent conduct, conformed to their de
clarations. That great instrument of civil government,
which was so solemnly subscribed on board the May-
Elower, and in which they pledged their mutual fiiith and
their consciences, before their keel grated upon the sand,
or a single foot had pressed the unknown shore, referred
to the colony, then to be established, as the first colony,
in the process of the work ; and, scarcely had they rose
up from their bed of sickness, wheu by explorations, and
visits to distant parts of the wilderness, they took uieas-

MR. bates' address. 47
ures to plant second, third, and numerous other settle
ments, in all the eligible situations, which were thereafter
to form, and augment their great prospective nation.
And, after the colony had increased in population, by
iraraigration and natural increase, although it consisted
of not more than eight thousand persons, besides the
chief capital, their settlements extended along the shores
of the bay, in the vicinity, to the north-easterly part of
the coast of Massachusetts; to the Kennebec and the
Penobscot, and even to the mouth of, and to several
points along, the shores ofthe Connecticut.
The enlargement of inhabited territory, proceeded still
more rapidly in the younger, more wealthy and vigorous
colony of Massachusetts Bay. Establishing its capital
in the water-girt peninsula, it sent forth its pioneers to
every coveted position, to which enterprise could push,
or the love of adventure could wander. They rejected
the use of the word colony, as their governmental title,
and called themselves a "body politic," a "jurisdiction,"
and, in the end, a "commonwealth." They prescribed
the necessary regulations of a representative government,
aud divided the thirty towns, in the jurisdiction, into
four counties, which bear the names of four of the east
ern counties of the commonwealth ; and, when their
charter was demanded of them, by the government of
the parent country, they refused to return it, setting forth,
though in the form of a petition, yet, in what in fact, is a
manly protest, their right to its retention, and, uuder it,
to the privileges of self-government.
And, yet, with all this encroachment upon the domains
of savageism, — this emigration to isolated nooks and cor
ners, in a boundless continent, — this establishment of trad
ing-posts, and settlements, and towns, at a distance of three
weeks' travel from the center, — how few inhabitants were
there, that constituted the hive, from which those busy
peoples went forth ! They went forth, not like bees, to
gather, and return ; but like bees, to swarra. Their pur
pose was to build up new hives of wealth and comfort;

48 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
and so eager, at times, was this zeal to build up, and propa
gate the germs of nationality, — that peculiar institution,
which constitutes the most preservative feature, in a repre
sentative government, a TOWN, — that, in Plymouth, the an
ticipated evil was guarded against, by a legislative check.
Why, in the year 1640, the painstaking historian, of whom
I have spoken, estimated the population of Plymouth at
3,000, New Haven 2,500, Connecticut 3,000 and Massa
chusetts 15,000, making a total of less than 24,000 souls;
and from that time, for more than a century thereafter,
the increase of the colonies was only the result of their
own natural growth.
Such men, — sons and daughters of Westfield, — such
men as these, were your ancestors ! Entertaining these
ideas of civil polity, and impressed and possessed by
that sentiment of the course of national progress, first to
settle and establish, then to extend and embrace, and,
finally, to strike their moving tents, and march onward to
new enterprise, and more distant possession, the towns
of Plymouth, Dorchester, and Massachusetts Bay pushed
forward to Saybrook, to Hartford, and Windsor, and,
ultimately, to Agawam, now Springfield ; and, with
scarcely a rest from the toil of travel, they moved onward,
and rested upon the fertile meadows, and on the beautiful
hills, and by the swift and bright waters of Woronoco.
The exact time, or extent of the first settlement here,
is a matter of considerable doubt. The Rev. Dr. Davis,
in his brief historical sketch of Westfield, fixes it between
1658 and 1660, grants having been made in 1658 to
Thomas Cooper, in 1660 to Dea. Chapman, and in 1661
to Capt. Pynchon, 'Robert Ashley, and George Colton.
He states, that a number of other persons, viz., George
Phelps, Isaac Phelps, Capt. Cook, W. Cornish, Thomas
Dewey, J. Noble, David Ashley, John Holyoke, John
Ponder, and John Ingersol, received a confirmation of
their grants of real estate, and took up their residence
here in. 1666. Dr. J. G. Holland, who appears to
have made an extensive examination of the records, fixes

MR. bates' address. 49
the first attempts at settlement about the year 1662. Both
these authors state the interesting fact, that the first child
born here, was Benjamin Saxton, in 1666, who lived to
the age of eighty-eight years, and whose descendants are
now among our present population.
Without any direct evidence of the fact, there are cer
tain circumstances, Afliich would seem to justify the belief,
that the settlements commenced at Woronoco at an ear
lier period than 1658, and that they were more consider
able, than those authors apprehended, in 1666.
Its local situation, its productive soil, its capacity for
defense against an Indian foe, the abundance of fish,
with which both its rivers were stocked, the large num
ber of beaver, and- other animals, whose furs made this
place an important point in the commercial traflic of the
colony, its well established name, appearing often in the
colonial records, the establishment of trading-houses, and
the contests and legislative provisions respecting them,
and the progressive state ofthe settlement, at the time of
its incorporation, — all these facts forbid the belief, that it
had just started in its career of being, in the short space
between 1658, and, more especially 1666, aud the spring
of 1669.
It appears, by the colonial records, that, in 1641, it
was declared by the General Court, that the people of
Connecticut had encroached upou the domain of the
Massachusetts Bay, by permitting persons of theirs to
establish a trading house "at Woronock." A character
istic letter was accordingly sent to them by the court, af
firming their rightful jurisdiction, expressing their love of
peaceful means of conciliation and settlement ; but, at the
same time, affirming, that they intend, by God's help, not
to suffer what belongs to them, to be taken from them, or
their posterity.
What would seem to be more convincing, if not con
clusive evidence of the earlier occupation, is an entry
upon the records of Massachusetts, in 1647, providing that
Woronoco shall be a part of the town of Springfield, and
7

50 westfield bi-centennial.
liable to all charges there, as other parts of the same town,
until it shall be thought fit, by the court, to annex it to
some convenient plantation. It was further provided, as
follows : " Mr. Pinchin is authorized to make freemen, in
the town of Springfield, of those' that are in covenant,
and live according to their profession ; and Springfield,
within twelve months, is to bring in a transcript of their
land, according to ye law, in that case provided, and
a true note of the time of all their births, burials and
marriages." It was, also, ordered, that the trading houses,
established at Woronoco, and all trading houses to be
erected, shall be contributory to all public and common
charges, "both in towne and county."
The controversy, relative to the right of jurisdiction
over Woronoco, still continued. It was determined, in
1648 and 1649, that the dividing line of the two colonies
should be run, in order to settle the question of title to
Woronoco ; and that Mr. Fenwick, on the part of the col
ony of Connecticut, should be present. But he failed to
appear when it was run ; " and so it was, that Woronoco
was ordered to Massachusetts ; " " but w^e shall be ready
to greet our brethren of Connecticut in a new survey,
so as they will be at the whole charge, in this, as we
were in the other, and, withal, produce their patent as we
have done." Fenwick, before that time had stipulated,
that, "if he did not prove to the commissioners that his
line, by an ancienter patent," "doth take in Woronoak,"
then our line to stand, aud trading houses to be subject
to our orders. As he failed to appear, it is probable, that
"our friends of Connecticut" had ascertained, that their
title was defective, as this was the last I have seen of the
controversy, relative to the title to Woronoco. (Records
of Massachusetts, vol. 3, pages 131 and 164.)
A petition was made to the General Court, in 1668, by
Aaron Cooke, "in the name of the inhabitauts of Woro-
noake;" and "they judged it meete to make such an
addition of land to the petitioners, as may be to the con
tents of six miles square, so as they intrudeth not upon

MR. bates' address. 51
any former grants to towns or persons." The town of
Springfield was authorized to take " the furtherance of
the work for a township." This grant was made on the
condition, that a minister should be settled within two
years, and the inhabitants were granted immunity from
taxes fckr the county for three years. (Records of Massa
chusetts, vol. 4, p. 405.)
At a meeting of the inhabitants of Springfield, on the
2d of February, 1668, action was taken " uppon ye mo
tion of ye inhabitants at Woronoco." They express their
willinguess to further their desire to be " a township of
themselres." They hope that "the corte" will "order
them to be a township ; and that they, through the favor
of God, may grow up into a comfortable society, and be
a happy neighborhood to us and our friends and theirs."
(B. 113, page 193, Town Records in Massachusetts Ar
chives.) On the 28th of May, 1669, in pursuance of the former
proceedings, and especially of the vote of the inhabitants
of Springfield, the General Court passed an order, which
I insert in full, in a note hereto, as the act of incorpora
tion of the town of Westfield.
This fract of land, nine miles in length, and of the av
erage width of four aud one-half miles, was of a size, in
sufficient to accommodate our progressive ancestors.
There was a mountain on their western frontier, rough,
precipitous and stony; and it was judged important for
the interests of the new town, present and prospective,
that they should have a right of access to dt, for building-
stone, pasturage, and other purposes. In compliance with
their request, the General Court set off" to them that ad
ditional territory, which is called the new addition, and
which now forras the territory of Russell, and part of
Montgomery; and, when the town of Westfield made
sale of the new addition lands, they reserved, for the uses
of the inhabitants of the town, forever, the right of quar
rying stone from certain parts of the territory so sold.
Let us pause here a moment, and contemplate the to-

52 westfield bi-centennial.
pography of this domain, which was thus set apart for the
homes of our fathers! About midway frora its north and
south lines is a natural basin; and, from it, the river breaks
through the mountain, that forms the eastern boundary,
and rushes, at times, in a torrent of foam, into the great
river of New England. From the, point of its disembogue-
ment, a range of hills, of a hight of about seventy feet,
curves away from the mountain, like a circle from its tan
gent, and encloses within its folds, one of the most beauti
ful valleys in the whole country. In its length, from north
to south, it is about three aud one-half miles; from east
to west, about two and one-half railes; and it is sup
posed to contain frora two thousand five hundred to
three thousand acres of meadow land. The two rivers,
rushing down from the abrupt mountains, and entering
the valley, at its north-western and south-western corners,
and, uniting about two miles from the eastern border,
embrace the site of the original town, and the present vil
lage, at their confluence. Here were situated those early
trading-houses, which had been the subject of so much
legislative diplomacy.' Here was erected their log-house
church, built "barn-fation with a bell-coney." Here was
their fort; here their watch-house, for the service of which,
every male person in the town, of the age of eighteen
years, was enrolled, to guard the lives of the sleepers, frora
evening till sunrise; and here were laid out those house-
lots, where they were to dwell, in watching and danger,
till at last, advancing prosperity should give to thera, and
their posterity, a quiet and a peaceful home.
The allotments of lands to the settlers, were similar to
those in other towns, which were exposed to Indian depre
dations; but, as this was the most distant and western
post, and, from the large number of Indians, who resided
in the vicinity, was peculiarly exposed to their hostile at
tacks, greater caution against surprise and attack was ex
ercised, than was customary iu settlements more contigu
ous to each other. The principal settlement was made
near the Little River, at what is now the iron brido-e.

MR. bates' address. 53
The old fort w-as built of logs, over a large cellar, which
was constructed and prepared as a place of refuge for the
women and non-combatants, in the hours of warfare. A
strong palisade, of about two miles in circuit, surrounded
the settlement, which was constantly guarded; and, within
it, were the dwellings of the people. Village lots were
apportioned to each householder, in size, according to the
number of his family, and, perhaps the local situation as
affecting value; the quantity of land distributed being
from one-half to three-quarters of an acre, to each mem
ber of the family. The number of settlers being so nu
merous, and the land absorbed by this allotment being so
extended, as to menace the security of the settlement, an
' arrangeraent was made, by a committee appointed by the
General Court, in 1677, and subsequently sanctioned by it,
for a consolidation of the people into a more compact com
munity. By this arrangement, the proprietors of town
lots in Westfield, near "their meeting-house," agreed, by
a general vote, "to break their lots," and allow other per
sons, living more remote, to settle upon them, the persons
so giving up their portions to the new occupants, receiv
ing two acres in quantity, of town lots more remote, for
every acre so relinquished. (Records of Massachusetts,
vol. 5, p. 238.)
The site of the church, was the recent town-pound, on
the bank of the river, near Maj. George Taylor's. The old
fort stood near the bank of the river, as it then was ; but the
site has been carried away by the shifting encroachments
of the stream. On the land adjacent, on the south side of
the road, there are still to be found the remains of old wells,
which were built for the uses of the early inhabitants.
The concentration of the settlement into a compact
body, not in blocks of buildings, but in houses, situated
upon small lots of one-half, three-quarters of, or an acre
each, though sufficient, as a successful measure of defense,
was yet of a greater, wider and more permanent benefit
to, and influence upon the settlers themselves, upon their
posterity, and upon the whole country, to which New Eng-

54 westfield bi-centennial. •
land people since have emigrated. It brought the whole
population into one neighborhood; and thus made them,
as well in fact, as in words, neighbors. It assembled them
around the meeting-house and the school-house. It gave
to them, not only by the proximity, but by the influence of
example, the stimulus to give their attendance upon the
means of education and improvement; it deepened the
social feeling between their farailies ; identified them with
each other's interests; softened the roughness of the too
austere and rigid, and checked the waywardness of the
impulsive and heedless, by the attrition of antagonistic
natures; in this way softening and smoothing down the as
perities of life, and creating such a unity of feeling, in the
midst of coramon objects, common desires and comraon
dangers, as to give to each settlement the character of a
family. The effect, also, upon their material prosperity was not
less salutary. The erection of their houses, each proprie
tor's upon his own lot, with its neat white palings, its well-
kept yard and garden, its fiowers, shrubbery and trees,
improved, year by year, by the infiuence of example and
rivalry, the homes rendered more attractive, and more dear
by each improvement, and the effects, also, produced upon
other villages by this example, have given to a New Eng
land village a peculiar beauty, which stands, as a distinc
tive mark of its early origin. No one, who travels over
the distant parts of our own country, and contrasts the ap
pearances of the different towns, and, sometimes, the dif
ferent parts of the same town, will be at a loss fo deter
mine, by those appearances themselves, the sectional char
acter of the inhabitants; at all events, he will know the
source, from whence they emanated. We have not beeu
apt to consider, as models of taste and refinement in archi
tecture, or landscape-gardening, the warriors of the bow
aud arrow, the tomahawk and scalping-knife ; but, it would
seem, that we are indebted, for the rural beauty, which
ornaments the hills and valleys of New England, to the
aborigines of the wilderness.

MR. bates' address. 55
The earliest parts ofthe records, both of this town and
of Springfield, have become so much dilapidated, or have
been to such a degree destroyed, — and judging from what
remains of them, thej-- were, in their best estate, too im
perfect as a basis of a correct history, — that it is diffi
cult to furnish an account, even tolerably accurate, ofthe
population, the town officers, the names of the inhabi
tants, and other facts, which would be interesting and
instructive to us, at the present day.
I find, however, the names of twenty-eight persons
mentioned, as among the inhabitants of Westfield, at, or
very soon after the settlement ; the catalogue of which,
with many other of the statistics, relating to the town, is
more proper for a note, or insertion in an appendix, than
for the body of this address.
It appears that the first mill erected in the town, was
on the brook, in the easterly part of the town, formerly
Fowler's, Ensign's, Pease's, and now Stebbins & Gris
wold's, — the mill at Great River, at an early period called
Weller's mill, and now Yeamans', not having been erected
until long afterwards.
In 1671, Alquot and Wallurap, two sachems of Po-
j assets, presented a petition to the General Court, alleg
ing, that Lieut. Cooper had obtained from Amoakisson a
deed of a tract of their own land, and praying for redress.
The General Court promptly referred the matter to the
Court at Hampshire, for inquiry and indemnification.
In 1674, Samuel Loomis was appointed as ensign, and
in 1676, John Modesley as lieutenant to the " footte "
company in Westfield.
in 1675, the taxes assessed by the General Court, to the
following towns, were as follows : Springfield, £26, 5s., bd. ;
Northampton, £22, 2s., IM. ; Hadley, £18, 10s., M. ; West-
field, £11, 16s. ; and Hatfield, £8, 12s.
In 1679, John Maudesly and Thomas Noble presented
a petition to the General Court for the allowance of the
town returns, which was granted.
I find the following memorandura in the papers of my

56 westfield bi-centennial.
father, the late Elijah Bates, and in his handwriting:
¦In 1661, a tract of land, being now the center of West-
field, was granted to Capt. Pynchon, Robert Ashley, and
George Colton, on condition of becoming permanent set
tlers, by a committee of those settled in Springfield
which was first settled in 1635. William Pynchon was
one of the patentees in the colony charter, and removed
from England in about 1629. The original limits of
Springfield were twenty-five miles square, — now embrac
ing ten incorporated towns." It was made on a loose slip
of paper, as was his custom, and came to me b}' accident.
I have not been able to trace the facts contained in it, to
their source.
In the year 1667, one year after, according to Holland,
its permanent settlement, and two years before its incorpo
ration, in accordance with that sentiment, which pervaded
the policy of the whole people, the first settlers proceed
ed to make provision for the pubhc worship of God.
Mr. John Holyoke of Springfield, who had become one
of the settlers at Woronoco, was engaged, temporarily, to
perform the duties of the pulpit. The church was erected
ou the ground near the house of Major George Taylor.
Mr. Holyoke's services were' continued only for a few
months. He then ceased to labor in this vineyard, and
retired from the ministerial profession.
Rev. Moses Fiske succeeded Mr. Holyoke, and preached
here, as a candidate for settlement. He continued here
from 1668 to 1671, when he left the situation, and was
finally settled at Quincy.
Rev. Edward Taylor, in that year, commenced hisja-
bors, with a view to a settlement, aud continued here
until his death, June 24, 1728, at the age of eighty-seven
years. His " table " still stauds in the old burying-grouud,
with an inscription, characterizing him as "the a^ed, the
venerable, tbe learned, and the pious pastor," etc."; and a
marble slab has been placed in the wall of the First Con
gregational Church, with a suitable inscription thereon,
by one of his descendants. His residence was adjacent

MR. bates' address. 57
to his church ; and he lived and died in the house near
Major George Taylor's where the late Jedediah Taylor
lived, until his death. His lands, at that poiut, and in
other parts of the town, are now owned by his descend
ants. Age and its infirmity, at the close of his life, ren
dered him unable to perform all the duties of his pastor
ate ; and the Rev. Nehemiah Bull was ordaiued, as his
colleague, in October,' 1726. He was a young man, kept
a grammar school in the town, preached half the time,
and died in 1740, in the fourteenth year of his ministry.
Mr. Taylor married in 1674, Elizabeth Fitch, the daugh
ter of the Rev. James Fitch, the first clergyman of Nor
wich, Connecticut, and she is said to have been a highly
educated and accoraplished lady. One of his love-letters
to her is extant, among the collections of the Historical
Society of that state, a copy of which is published in the
volume, containing an account of the proceedings of the
bi-centennial celebration in that city on the 7th and Sth
of September, 1859. It is there entitled "A Model Love-
Letter;" and, truly, it deserves the appellation. While
it displays the warmth of his love, and the intensity of
his devotion, it also develops the character of his mind,
and the engrossing and absorbing nature of his thoughts.
I attach a copy of it, as an interesting note, in the Ap
pendix. One of his daughters was the mother of Presi
dent Stiles of Tale College. He lived with his first wife
fifteen years, and after her decease he married a second
time. PROPOSAL TO ABANDON THE SETTLEMENT !— KING
PHILIP'S WAR.
It proved to be fortunate for the town, as it was fortu
nate, also, for the settlements upon the river, that such a
man as Mr. Taylor was called hither. He soon became
connected with an event, where the interests of this sec
tion of the colony became involved, which required his
energy, his talent and his foresight to conduct to a success
ful issue. In the year 1675, commenced the King Philip
war. The other wars of this country, in which so many

58 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
of our youth have been sent forth to the post of suffering
and danger, have borne heavily upon the town ; but the
war which desolated New England, just one century be
fore the great revolutionary struggle, was one, not for the
change in forra of government, or for the maintenance
of charter rights, merely, but a confiict for life itself.
Philip was the son of Massasoit, the flrst friend of the
colonists, from the tirae of their landing, until his death
in 1662. He had been brought up with them in peaceful
relations ; and, after his accession to the chieftainship of
his tribe, he continued the amicable treaty arrangements,
which his father had established. But he was endowed
with a different character frora that of the peaceful old
chief, from whom he sprung. He had seen the growth
of the colonies, until the white raen in New England,
equalled the number of the aboriginal inhabitants. He
saw their advancing superiority ; and, in that advance, he
foresaw the downfall of the Indian power. One des
perate effort must be raade to sustain his supremacy.
With the feeling, doubtless, of the East Indian prince,
who undertook to drive the English from the plains of
the Carnatic, he composed his differences with all the
neighboring tribes, allied his foes to his own people, with
a common purpose, and then proceeded to visit with fire
and sword, the settlements of the colonists. Their ad
vances and their retreats were marked with desolation and
death. The industry of the people was at once paralyzed.
The implements of labor were laid aside, or used only
in connection with the weapons of warfare. The labors
of the day were protected by armed men, and strict vigi
lance gave to the repose of the night its only security.
It was in the frontier settlements, that the war was
especially terrible. Deerfield, Hadley, Northampton,
Springfield, Westfield and Hartford, were each so widely
separated, as to be of no assistance to each other in a hos
tile attack; and, yet, they were near enough to behold the
flames of ruin, and to feel the terror and distress, which
arose from the savage devastation. So impressed with

MR. bates' address. 59
the insecurity of the inhabitants of these several towns,
was the central government at Boston, that they issued a
letter of advice, which was, in effect, an order to the col
onists, to desert the settlements, and unite themselves
with the inhabitants of other towns, for more efficient
protection. Their letter of March 20, 1676, contains the
announcement of their purpose, and the letter ofthe Sec
retary ofthe Council is still more deflnite. It concludes
with the following significant intimation :
"If you people be averse from our advice, we must be
necessated to draw off our forces from them, for we can
not spare them, nor supply them with amraunition." As
showing the spirit of the times, and the courage and reso
lution of the men, I append the extract, I have spoken
of, and the corresponding portion of the report of the
committee of the town of Westfield, — Isaac Phelps, David
Ashley, and Josiah Dewey, as drawn up by the Rev. Ed
ward Taylor.
As will be perceived by the records of the town, the
orders of the Council were received with a feeling of
indignation, in which their neighbors of Northampton,
joined ; and, such was the strength of the opposition, that
the order was revoked, and thus the most distant and ex
posed towns became their own defenders.
No organized attack was made upon the town, during
the. war, by the savage foe. It was rather a series of pred
atory incursions by scattered parties of the tribes, for the
sake of plunder and devastation. The buildings of Mr.
Cornish, Mr. Ambrose Fowler, John Sacket*, Walter Lee,
and others, were consumed, and several persons were shot,
and carried away captives. On one occasion, Noah Ashley,
returning from his work at Pochassuc, encountered an In
dian near the Bancroft house. Ashley had the draw, and
the Indian fled; but his blood was traced in the path of
his escape. The spot has since been called "Indian Plain."
The operations of husbandry, at this period, were car
ried on under the protection of arms. The loaded mus
ket stood upon the threshing-floor, and beside the ditcher

60 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
and the mower; and, when the field was distant, an armed
sentry was present, to give timely alarm. All night, sen
tries kept watch in the turret of the watch-house, and pa
trolled the palisades, to guard the sleeping inhabitants from
savage atrocities. There was, in fact, the realization of
that terrible picture, drawn by the graphic pencil of Ames,
in his celebrated speech upon the British treaty, and which
classical taste has enrolled among the choicest specimens
of eloquence.
It is impossible to contemplate the circumstances, in
which they were placed, and the unanimously decided and
manly resolution they adopted, without admiration of their
courage, their fortitude, and their foreseeing wisdom. We
are too apt to associate bravery only with the exploits of
the battle-field. We do not reflect, how much surround
ing causes have to do with personal exposure; that often,
under a greater fear, the coward seeras to be courageous
in the face of danger, and to fight, with the desperation of
a brave man. But, in the case of our fathers, there was
nothing to sustain them, but their own fortitude, inspired
by their own high hopes of the future. It was no holiday
warfare which was impending ! They were not called to
meet a disciplined array in hostile array, in which those
who should fall would be erabalmed in the records of
their country, while the survivors would be crowned as
conquerors, or, at the worst, duly exchanged, as prisoners
of war. It was, in terrible truth, a war to the knife, and
the knife to the hilt! The result was to be, Uterally,
"victory or death!" not a death by the sword or the ball,
but by the tomahawk and scalping-knife ; by the " torch
and burning pine ! " uot a death to them only, but a death
of extermination of all their kindred ! a death so beauti
fully described by Campbell, in the language of the sole
survivor of an Indian arabush : —
" He left, of all my tribe.
Nor man, nor child, nor thing of living birth ;
No ! not the dog that watched my household hearth.
Escaped that night of blood upon our plains !

MR. bates' ADDRESS. 61
All perished ! — I alone, am left on earth !
To whom nor relative, nor blood remains, —
No ! not a drop that runs in human veins ! "
Nor, can we fail to admire, also, the heroism of those,
who were left alraost alone in their horaes of precarious
safety, when the stalwart men of the settlement went
forth to war. The infirm, and those of immature age,
were their only defenders. It was for them to protect the
families against a stealthy foe, whose war-whoop was fol
lowed, at once, by the torch and the tomahawk, which,
too often, awoke, and silenced a whole settlement. They
were the guardians, who, from the summit of the watch-
tower, were to watch, and listen through the long days,
and the longer nights, for the approach of the savage,
and to patrol, during the same periods, along the poorly-
constructed palisades. In the meantime, the anxious
mothers were snatching their broken slumbers, in the em
braces of their terrified children, their rest disturbed by
dreams of danger, and visions of disaster. No historian
of the times has hitherto essayed to describe the agony of
those, who watched and prayed for the friends, who had
gone forth to conquer, or to die. The imagination, only,
can conceive the intensity of their distress. And, when
the welcome signal of their return was given from the
watch-tower, and their voices were heard advancing
through the arches of the forest, as the appalling thought
rose up before them, that some of their husbands were
sleeping in undistinguished graves, and the mournful
question was presented to each anxious mother, — "Has
my home been made desolate?" — whose imagination is
vivid enough to, depicture the poignancy of their agony.
The result justified the wisdom of their decision. The
war was scarcely ended, before prosperity dawned upon
the new town. Thrift followed upon their industry. New
colonists increased their population. Houses were built,
and lands cultivated at more 'remote distances. The
school-house was removed to a more eligible situation.
The church accoramodations became too contracted for

b

62 westfield bi-centennial.
the worshipers, and the meeting-house itself too homely
for the taste of the people. In 1696, it was voted, to build
a gallery on one side of the meeting-house ; and, in 1697,
the selectmen were directed to repair, and paint the
meeting-house, so as " to make it comley and comfortable,
as speedy as may be," at the expense of the town.
Beside the mills, already established, in the sarae year,
they granted to Thomas Root, Lieutenant Root, Nathan
iel Bancroft, and David Ashley, Jr., liberty to get up a
grist-mill over the West River, at the place called "the
Half Mile Fall." They also became disgusted with the
old-fashioned mode of collecting the people at worship,
by the beat of drum, and purchased a bell for the meeting
house, at a cost of two hundred acres of land, in the
south part of the town, and on the west side of the Sims-
bury road.
It seems, that the meeting-house, thus erected, was not
sufficient for the wants of the increasing town ; and after
wards, on the 17th of November, 1719, a meeting was
called for the purpose of erecting a new one. Considerable
difficulty was experienced in fixing upon a site; and, at
last, a committee, consisting of Deacon Nathaniel Munn,
Lieutenant John Mirick, and BenjamiuLennard of Spring
field, were appointed to fix the site. On the 24th of the
same month, they made their report as follows :
" Gentlemen seeing God in his providence hath Called us acor-
'ding to your desiers to consider your surcomstances and where may bee
ye Convenientest place for you to set your meeting-house, our Result is
on the North-west corner of Capt. Maudsley's lot by the medow gate.
Benjamin Lenakb,
Nathaniel Mun,
John Mekick.
This report was not satisfactory ; and, at the meeting
of its presentation, another reference of the subject was
made to Col. Samuel Partridge. He reported, that having,
with the assistance of Capt. John Ashley, and Lieut.
Adijah Dewey, viewed the several places, viz., one near
"the cyder-press," wliich he judged was too far westerly

MR. bates' address. 63
"for Conviniencey of the people's meeting at ye present; "
also, the " nor-west corner of Deacon Root, diseased's lot,"
"which was too near ye dwelling-houses; " also, "the lot
where old John Satchet lived, too much to the south end of
the town, and the old meeting-house, much more; and
Capt. Maudsley's pasture, too near Samuel Root's barn," —
" Therefore I have matuerly vewed the knowl on Capt. Maudsley's
lot on the North side of ye way behind his housing Close to ye high
way I hereby determine to bee the place for erecting and seting up ye
new meeting-house this I deliver as my positive opinion upon the
premises. Samuel Partridge."
This decision was the final one. An objection was made
at the next May meeting; but the town confirmed it, and,
on the sixth day of June, 1720, it was voted, that the rais
ing should commence on the eighth day of the same June,
at two hours by sun, by the beat of drum ; and that every
male citizen of the age of seventeen years should attend,
day by day, till the work was done, on pain and penalty
of three shillings per day, without a satisfactory excuse.
The meeting-house was paid for by the town, and seats
were allotted to the inhabitants, according to the dignity
of the pews. The pews, nearest to the pulpit, were, by
vote, the first in dignity; and the scale of dignity of the
inhabitants was compounded of age, and their ratable as
sessment on the tax-list, — one year of age, being equal to
two pounds of assessment. Committees, from time to
tirae, were appointed "to seat the meeting-house," and
this was done, soraetimes yearly, and, at others, as changes
in the population required.
The salary voted, frora time to time, for the support of
the minister, in addition to the generous allotments of
land, was extremely liberal. Mr. Taylor received at first
£50, and, subsequently, in 1686, it was raised to £80.
When Mr. Bull was settled, he was given a lot of three
acres in town, and ten acres in common ; and there was
also allotted to him thirty-six acres in the division ofthe
outer commons. His salary, at his settlement was £100,

64 westfield bi-centennial.
with occasional gratuities, at one time of £10, af another
of £20, and, at still another time, an allowance of £125
was given him, to aid in the payraent of his debts. His
desire for an increase of salary, seeraed to increase with
the abundance of the people. In 1734, it was raised to
£150 ; in 1737 to £180, and, at a subsequent meeting, in
the same year, £20 was voted hira in addition thereto.
The conduct of Mr. Bull gave great dissatisfaction to the
town. At a meeting, November 30, 1738, a coraraittee
was appointed "to discourse with him" on the subject;
and Thomas Ingersol, Esq., Matthew Noble, John Gunn,
John Lee, Ensign Mosley, Sarauel Kellogg and Nathaniel
Bancroft were chosen such coramittee. The following
vote, which is at least temperate in its terras, is spread
upon the record :
" That the Rev. Mr. Bull's conduct, and treatment of the people
of this town, is matter of grievance to them."
It is to be supposed, that, as Mr. Bull died the follow
ing year, his offenses were probably, in sorae measure,
attributable to his disease. At all events, his salary of
£240 was voted to him for the next, — which was the
last, — year of his life. He was graduated at Tale Col
lege in 1723.
I find in the town records, of February 23, 1725-6, the
following vote, which is of rather doubtful construction :
" Voted, That the town will Give Mr. bull 501b for preaching for a
year ensuing one half Day Each Sabbath, and to rise proportionally
aocording to his preaching, — and after this year is ended to Give Mr.
bull a Reasonable Salary for his servys in the miucstry from year to
year as Long as he shall Carry on the service aforesaid."
Inasmuch, as the period of time was fixed by the vote,
and also the amount of preaching to be " carried on," on
each day during the time, it might admit of a question,
whether the proportional advance of pay for the preach
ing, was not to depend upon the quality of the sermons,
and not upon their increased number.
The Rev. John Ballantine, a graduate of Harvard Col-

MR. bates' address. 65
lege, succeeded Mr. Bull, in 1741. The church and the
inhabitants, having by concurrent votes agreed unanis
mously thereto. Deacon John Shepard was appointed " to
take the advice of the neighboring ministers, and to re
pair to the Rev. Mr. Holyoke, President of Harvard Col
lege, and any other reverend gentleman, qualified to give
voice and counsil," in reference to a candidate. In ac
cordance with his report, a call was given to Mr. Ballan
tine. The town voted him £500 in a house and home lot,
purchased of Rev. Mr. Bull, as a settlement, and £200
in bills of credit, or silver money, as a salary. Air. Bal
lantine died in 1776, in the thirty-fifth year of his ministry.
Mr. Ballantine was succeeded by Rev. Noah Atwater
of Hampden, Conn., a graduate of Tale College, iu 1774.
He was ordained November 21, 1781, and died January
25, 1802, in the twentieth year of his ministerial service.
For a few years, he was a tutor in Tale College, and is
reputed to have been an excellent scholar. It is said, that
he never repeated the sarae sermon to an audience, and
always was prepared with his two sermons for the Sabbath,
on the previous Tuesday evening. He kept an advance
supply of twenty serraons. This systematic method in
his labor, gave him much time for his parochial and social
calls. It gave him an opportunity, also, for those scien
tific observations, upon the phenomena of nature, which
he was accustomed to record, and which were placed in
the hands of the late President Dwight. He was an early
riser, always rising before the sun in all parts of the year.
It is said that he kept up his acquaintance with his classi
cal studies, and occasionally instructed young men, in pre
paring for college.
Leaving, for the present, the order of the ecclesiastical
succession, I revert to the period in the history of the
town, about the beginning of the last century. A portion
of the lands of the town, had been distributed as house-
lots, to the different early proprietors, in quantities, ac
cording to the number of the members of their respective
families. Equitable distributions of land were also made
9

66 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
to the proprietors, both in the inner and outer commons;
and contracts for sales were also consummated of large
tracts of out lands, or lands in the new addition, to vari
ous purchasers. In the year 1731, January 10, the divi
sional lines were established between the inner and outer
commons. A strip of land, two miles in width, across
the northerly end of the township, was set off as the
northern common ; and, on the south side of the Little
River, a line from the mouth of Munn's brook, to Two-Mile
Brook, and thence to Four-Mile Brook, and thence to East
Mountain, divided the south common, from the center, or
inner common. At the town-meeting, on that day, it was
decided to divide the outer common lands, not sold, araong.
the people, and grants to one hundred and seven house
holders were made at that time, in quantities, ranging
from 12 to 515 acres. Without incorporating the list of
names, I may remark, that the Ashleys, Shepards, Mauds-
leys, Bancrofts, Fowlers, Taylors, IngersoUs, Kelloggs,
Sackets, Nobles, Roots, Deweys, Taylors and Phelps
w^ere the largest grantees.
On the 28th of January, 1733, it was voted to divide
certain portions of the inner coraraons. This was to be
done, in proportion to the lists of the estates of the
different proprietors. The nuraber of persons, to whom
the lands were so distributed, was one huudred and six.
At the same time a distribution of small tracts of land of
five, ten, flfteen and twenty acres was made to twenty-
three persons, by way of charity. The names of all these
grantees, the lists of each man's estate, which gave his
proportion to the land, and the number of acres granted
in the outer common to each person, will be an interest
ing table in an appendix, as an historical document.
In the year 1724, April 25, Captain John Ashley of
Westfield, in consideration of his bond " of £460, three
barrels of sider, aud thirty quarts of rum," procured a
deed to hiraself, Colonel Johu ^toddard. Captain Henry
Dwight, and Captain Luke Hitchcock, a coinmittee of
the General Court, of land on the Housatonic River, which

MR. bates' ADDRESS. 67
comprises the present towns of Sheffield, Great Barring-
ton, Egremont, Alford, Mount Washington and Boston
Corner. The deed is signed and sealed by twenty-one
sachems, — Conkepot, the head, or perhaps the Lieutenant-
General Sachem, the man whose narae the Konkapot
River still bears, — leading the signatures. Some of the
names are beautifully euphonious ; and one of them, we
suspect, from his name, — Worenocow, — must have been
a former citizen, perhaps the sachem of Woronoco.
In 1735, John Ashley, Esq., of Westfield, by a like ap
pointment of the General Court, purchased of the In
dians a tract of land, from Westfield to Housatonic, now
Sheffield. It was a strip two miles in width, and twenty-
six in length ; and there was, at that time, but one house,
west of the village in which we now live.
OLD FRENCH WAR.
This town was not backward in the defense of the coun
try, in the old French war, and in the war of the Revolu
tion. It sent forth, upon each occasion, brave officers
and soldiers, some of whom shed their blood upon the
field, and others of them returned to the esteem of their
fellow-citizens. Among the victims of the French war. Dr. Israel Ash
ley, the son of one of the prorainent first settlers of the
town, deserves an honorable mention. He was a gradu
ate of Tale College in 1731, and a physician of great
ability. He was a surgeon of a regiment, and died at
Stillwater, N. T. He was the father of the late Dr. Israel
Ashley, also a graduate of Tale College, who died in 1814.
Eager Noble was also in the old French war, enlisting
at a very early age, ahd, at its close, removing to the foot
of the mountain in West Parish, the first, and for many
years, a solitary but a laborious tenant of the wilderness.
THE REVOLUTION— GEN. SHEPARD.
Among the soldiers of the Revolution there stands out
upon the canvas that honorable, honored. Christian sol-

68 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
dier, General Williani Shepard. He was the son of Dea
con John Shepard, one of the family which settled in the
town in 1700. He was born in 1737. At the age of sev
enteen, he enlisted as a soldier ; at twenty he was a lieu
tenant in the army of General Abercrombie ; and at
twenty-two, he was one of the captains of General Am
herst. During his six years of service in that war, he
fought in the great battles of the contest; and, when peace
returned, he laid down his armor, and resumed the imple
ments of agriculture. When the revolutionary struggle
broke out, he at once repaired to Roxbury, with the com
mission of lieutenant-colonel, under the coraraand of
Washington. He sustained a prominent part in the re
treat from Long Island, and was wounded in the action.
In 1780, with the coraraission of general, he was attached
to the army of La Fayette, and remained with it until
the close of the war. His reputation for bravery was
established in twenty-two battles, and his sound common-
sense, and his sympathy for suffering were displayed, not
only in his military career, in the revolutionary army,
and at the head of the forces in this county, in the Shays
rebellion, but, during the course of a long and useful life.
With none of the adventitious aids to advancement,
which usually raise men to posts of dignity, — with but an
imperfect education and no elocutionary power, — yet his
strong, active appreciation of the fitness of things, his
power to — "hit it on the head at the first trial," — his char
acter for bravery, uprightness, and intelligence, com
raended hira to the confidence of the people ; and, as a
representative of the town, a senator of the county, an
executive councilor of state, a raeraber of Contrress. re-
peatedly elected, an elector of president Of the United
States at two elections, a coramissioner of this state, and
also of the United States, to negotiate with the Indian
tribes of the Penobscot, and "The Six Nations," he ful
filled the expectations of those, who honored hira with
their confidence.
One remarkable fact in the life of General Shepard, was.

MR. bates' ADDRESS. 69
that he lived and died a man of small property. Poverty it
self is not a proof of honesty, of industry, or of a deserving
reputation, but, too often, of the want of them, Of him,
however, it may be said, he was a hard-laboring. Industrious,
frugal man, of no expensive habits, either in camp or in his
family ; and yet he was possessed only of a moderate com
petency. When we consider how long he was in the camp
of Washington — his companion in all his great battles, and
one of the commanders under Gates, at the capture of Bur
goyne ; how long he was in Congress, and in the commissions
under the state, and the United States government, In the
negotiation of Indian treaties ; and what opportunities he was
afforded for the amassment of money, which opportunities he
spurned, we may well conclude, that the town of Westfield
furnished one general officer, whose example should be held
up, as a bright example, for other general officers to follow.
HIS CONDUCT IN THE SHAYS REBELLION.
At the breaking out of the rebellion of Daniel Shays and
his fellow-conspirators against the majesty of the laws of his
country, Gen. Shepard was again called from his retirement.
It was a fitting place for a man of his bravery, his firmness,
and his humanity. How beautifully his conduct contrasted
with the decision and energy of that great captain, who, at a
period but a little later, was upon the tide, which, taken at
the flood, soon bore him on to universal empire. When the
raob of Paris, In their want and famine, cried for bread, and
took up arms against the government, the cannon of Napo
leon thundered, and order reigned in Paris. Blood flowed,
power was felt, and submissive suffering waited a constrained
period, for a new opportunity of redress.
The spirit which actuated that great captain was policy,
not feeling ! It was a conviction, that a rebellion was to be
quelled at once, by force, — not by reason. France, at that
time was a despotism ; and In a despotism, the best preventive
of anarchy, is force.
But, In the Shays rebellion, the array against the govern
ment, however foolish and wicked, was prompted by real suf-

70 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
fering. The universal people sympathized in the grief, though
they abhorred the remedy. Gen. Shepard well knew the
feeling of the people ; he knew what such sufferings meant,
for he had felt them In his own person ; he knew that the
rebels had fought with him for the establishment of the gov
ernment, and he hoped, by moderation, but by firmness, — the
exhibition of force, and not by the deathly exercise of It, — to
disperse the assailants.
When the crisis at last came, and It was necessary for law
or for rebellion to triumph, with a kindly regard for the lives
of the assailants, which they attributed to fear, he sent to
them a friendly caution ; and, when they still pressed on, with
their outnumbering squadrons, even then he' delayed the
dreadful catastrophe. First came
" Cannon to the right of them !
Cannon to the left of them ! ' '
And when they still continued in their obstinacy, and for
bearance ceased to be compatible with humanity, then
" Cannon in the front of them
VoUey'd and thundered ! ' '
Happily, his compeers In arms — happily, the government,
also, tempered their course with mercy. The rebellion was
quelled, and the great mass of these misguided men became
quiet, peaceable, patriotic citizens.
The records of the town do not afford the means of furnish
ing the names of those, who, like Gen. Shepard, went forth to
war, at the breaking out of the Revolution. On receiving the
news of the battle of Lexington, an alarm was given, and a
company of 70 men, under the command of Capt. Warham
Parks, Lieut. John Shepard, and Richard Falley, repaired to
the scene of action. Mr. Russell Dewey, better known by
the title of Adjutant Dewey, a neighbor of Gen. Shepard,
was In the army during the war, except for a short time of
sickness. There was a strong friendship between the two
men, who lived together as neighbors to a ripe old age.
Capt. Parks, was afterwards commissioned Major General,
and died In the year 1800.

MR. bates' ADDRESS. 71
Gen. Shepard died at the age of 80 years, in the year 1817.
A large concourse of people attended his funeral. A sketch
of his life and character was given in the funeral sermon by
Rev. Isaac Knapp, and by the Rev. Dr. Davis, in his historical
sketch of the town of Westfield, Dr. J. G. Holland, and a
recent writer In The Times, a Westfield newspaper, have de
lineated some of the leading Incidents of his life. Upon his
retirement from the army, he connected himself with the
church, and held the office of deacon therein, for a period of
twenty-eight years.
We now resume our notices of the ecclesiastical history of
the town. After the death of Mr. Atwater, the Rev. Isaac
Knapp of Norfolk, Conn., a graduate of Williams College,
of 1800, who, for two years, in 1802, and 1803, was a tutor
In that institution, was ordained, as a pastor, November 16,
1803. In the year 1835, In consequence of his failing health,
the Rev. Emerson Davis was ordained as his colleague. Mr.
Knapp died at the age of 73 years, in 1847.
The administration of Mr. Knapp was remarkably quiet
and peaceful. He was a man of no sharp points, either of
character or doctrine. Never, in society, or from the pulpit,
did he utter anything to offend the feelings of his people,
or to array the slightest element of opposition to himself.
Unlike most clergymen, he extended his observations from the
studies of his pi-ofession, to the world around him, He was
a shrewd judge, both of men and of things. He knew the
wants of his people ; he appreciated the interests of the com
munity ; and few men were more ready to afford more valu
able suggestions. A council to settle a difficulty, between
him and his people, was unthought of! There could be no
difficulty; and, if a difficulty were to be apprehended, the oil
would be poured upon the waters, in anticipation, before the
slightest breeze stirred.
Mr. Davis was a native of Ware. He, too, was a gradu
ate of Williams College, and was of the class of 1821. At
his graduation, he became the usher, and then the preceptor
of Westfield Academy. During the year 1823, he was ap
pointed a tutor In Williams College ; but, In 1824, he be-

72 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
came the permanent preceptor, where he remained, until his
settlement, in 1835, as the colleague of Mr. Knapp. He con
tinued to officiate, as the pastor, until his sudden decease, June
8, 1866, from a disease of the heart. He was a large, strong
man, of active and temperate habits, an early riser, one who
spent much time in the open air, and who traveled, from fam
ily to family, over the widely extended range of his large
congregation. During his whole residence here, Dr. Davis
took a deep interest in the cause of education. He was ap
pointed, at its organization, as one of the members of the
Board ; and, until his death, he labored for the interest of the
cause, as though he had still continued a member. He was
an extensive scholar. He had a habit of picking up, and
recording facts, which few men have the taste, or the indus
try to do; and, during his ministerial labors, his sermon was
often the medium of exhibiting philosophical facts, as illus
trating biblical and evangelical truth.
Dr. Davis was eminently a kindly and social man. He
mingled extensively In society, was well acquainted, not only
with his parishioners, but with the people of the town. He
was a partaker both of their joys and sorrows, and was al
ways ready to lend a helping hand in distress, difficulty, or
danger. He was, In deed and in name, a friend ; and when
his sudden death struck upon the ear of the people of the
town, each one felt that he had lost a friend.. A laro-e con-
course convened at his funeral, and the Impressive ceremonies
of such a solemnity, were deepened by the regrets, which
seemed to hang, like a pall, upon every heart.
The successor of Dr. Davis was the Rev. Elias H. Rich
ardson. He was Installed on the first day of Mav, A. D.
1867. There Is an Implied contract between the society and
the pastor, arising from an immemorial usage, as to the du
ration of the settlement, which Is considered as imperatively
binding upon the parties. Since the settlement of the first
pastor, the Rev. Mr. Taylor, every one of all the successive
pastors have devoted their lives to the duties of the office.
Here they were settled ; here they labored ; and here they
rested from their labors ; nor have I discovered In the rec-

MR. bates' ADDRESS. 73
ords, except in the nervous higgling of Mr. Bull, In relation
to his salary, a trace of controversy between pastor and
people. Of Dr. Davis It Is worthy of record, that, in more than one
Instance, he has Intimated to the parish, his wish, that the
amount of his salary should be reduced. We can Imagine
cases, where exorbitant contributions embarrass the popular
preachers In the trouble of investments. But his salary was
small. His hospitalities were abounding ; and though his
habits of life were frugal, yet his taste frequently led him
into somewhat lavish appropriations. All he wished his peo
ple to provide for him, was a respectable support; and any
excess of such necessity, he was anxious to refund to them.
No wonder that such a pastor was beloved by his people !
And no wonder that he was more than " a popular preach
er," — a popular man !
In the year 1856, the large number of members of the so
ciety, and the comparatively small size of the meeting-house,
induced the majority of the society to agree to colonize.
Measures were accordingly taken to form a second Congrega
tional society, and church. In connection with It, which was
aij offshoot from the parent stock. For a time, the new so
ciety worshiped in, what is now called. Music Hall ; but the
desire of possessing a permanent and exclusive place of wor
ship, induced them to erect their beautiful church edifice.
Parochial societies, like individuals, or like other corporations,
are stimulated by rivalry ; and the parent society soon found,
that a meeting-house, which was thought by some, large
enough and good enough for the whole congregation, was too
small, and too poor for it, after the exodus of the colony. Ac
cordingly, a new effort was put forth; and, side by side, two
large and commodious church edifices arose, differing In form,
but beautiful In their adaptations, an honor to each society,
and to the town itself.
The Second Congregational society, has been fruitful In the
number of Its religious teachers. The Rev. Francis Homes
was obtained, at the time of its organization in May, 1856,
and continued with It for a period of about one year. The
10

74 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
Rev. Joel H. Bingham was Its first pastor, Installed In June,
1857 ; and after a period of six years he was dismissed, and
removed to East Boston.
The Rev. George Bowler succeeded Mr. Bingham, as the
pastor. He had been, for several years, a clergyman of the
Methodist church ; but he was examined, and accepted the
call of the Second Congregational society, and was settled in
April, 1863. During a portion of the war, he held a com
mission of colonel In the service ; and, after his dismission, in
February, 1865, he removed to the eastern part of the state,
and resumed his connection with the Methodist denomination.
In which he continued, until his recent decease.
For the space of a year or more, the society was without
the services of a settled pastor. They made repeated experi
ments, but no one seemed to come ^ip to the general accepta
tion. At last, by general consent, they extended a call to
Rev. Henry Hopkins, who accepted it, was ordained, and
from June, 1866 until the present time, has continued to be
their pastor.
The Baptist society was organized, and a church formed
as early as 1784. They had two church buildings ; one in the
north part of the town, near Montgomery, and one near the
Little River, or Fort River, as It is sometimes called In the
records. The latter building was sold, and a commodious
church was erected on Elm street. Recently this building,
also, has been sold, and a spacious and beautiful edifice has
been erected on Elm street, at a cost of 832,000, including
the site. The pastors of this church have been Revs. Adam
Hamilton, Azariah Hawks, Caleb Green, David Wright,
Andrew M. Smith, T. Bestor, A. Colburn, Charles Van
Loon, Wilham Carpenter, J. R. Baurals, John Jennings and
E. Jerome, the present pastor.
The Methodist society, consisted, until a recent period, of
but few members. Their numbers, however, have rapidly
Increased. The church, which they erected on Main street,
became too small for their wants, and they now worship In a
large and commodious building on the north-west corner of
" the green." Its present pastor Is the Rev. John H. Mans-

MR. BATES ADDRESS. tb
field. Recently It has purchased a parsonage, for the use of
its pastor.
There is also a small society of the order, at West
Parish, under the charge of Rev. Samuel McLaughlin. They
have a small, but commodious church and parsonage, and, like
the central society. It Is extending its numbers and usefulness.
As the system of that society Is to make annual, though,
at times biennial changes of their pastors, the number that
have officiated In the Methodist church here, Is somewhat
numerous. While It belonged to the Granville circuit,'
it was In charge of Elder G. Roberts, Joshua Taylor and
T. Dewey, circuit preachers. It was then located at
West Parish, or Hoop-pole, as that district was then called.
The society In the village was organized In 1812, and the
pastors in charge, have been successively Rev. P. Townsend,
W. Smith, B. McLouth, J. Hascall, Mark Trafton, H. V.
Degen, M. Raymond, G. F. Cox, J. H. Twombly, Dr. Wil
liam Butler, Mark Trafton a second time, Daniel E. Chapin,
George W. Bowler, H. W. Warren, Daniel Richards, W.
G. Lewis and its present pastor.
Like the First Congregational society the town has also
been shorn of its original proportions. Samuel Fowler, who,
with his brothers John and Ambrose, were among the first
settlers of the town, settled in the south part of it, at a place
then called Poverty. The plain on the north of their settle
ment, is still called " Poverty Plain." Benjamin Loomis,
and Mr. Olds settled in the westerly part of the town, and
families of the name of Moore, In the extreme south part,
which was then called Moore-town. In 1779, the south
part of our territory was incorporated Into a town, by the
name of Southwick. A meeting-house was erected, soon
after the incorporation, a mile south of the village; and
upon its being burned In 1823, a new and commodious edi
fice was erected, In 1824. The Rev. Abel Forward of Sims-
bury, a graduate of Tale College, In 1768, was ordained
October 27, 1773, and died in 1786. He was the father of
the late Joseph Forward, Esq., and has left there a numerous
posterity.

76 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
Montgomery was, also, In part, constructed from the orig
inal territory of Westfield. It was taken from that portion
of the new addition, which is situated on the north-easterly
side of the Westfield River. The date of Its Incorporation, as
a town, is November 28, 1780. A church was organized, Jan
uary 30, 1797, under the pastoral charge of Rev. Seth Noble,
a son of Thomas Noble, of Westfield. He was installed No
vember 4, 1801, and dismissed September 16, 1806. He was
not a man of a liberal education, but was a man of talent. It
is related of him, that he M'as residing in the town, which Is
now the city of Bangor, at the time of its Incorporation ; and,
at the request of his parishioners, he went to Boston, to pro
cure the act. The petitioners desired,- that the name of
"Sunfield" should be applied to it; but the reverend gentle
man was particularly fond of the old tune, "Bangor;" and
he caused Sunfield to be struck out of the act, and Bangor
inserted, as commemorating two objects of his love, — his
music, and his devotion.
Montgomery is situated wholly upon the mountain. The
land Is rough and broken, and adapted chiefly to the pursuits
of agriculture. Like the other agricultural towns, in Mas
sachusetts, which are situated at a distance from a home
market, Its population Is gradually decreasing. Many of its
Inhabitants haVe emigrated to distant states, and some of
them are now residing here.
Russell was incorporated February 25, 1792. Its territory
consisted of that part of the "new addition," of the town of
Westfield, which lies on the westerly side of the Westfield
River. The population of the town has been, also, on the
decline. But, stih. Its water-power, Its proximity to the rail
road, and the abundance of Its wood and timber, have con
tributed to Increase its amount of property, notwithstanding
the decrease of Its population.
Nothing more highly marks the high state of moral feeling,
among the early settlers of the town, than the provisions that
were made for the moral and religious improvement of the
people. The early "calls " that were made to the clergy, the
immediate supply of a successor, when death removed^an In-

MR. bates' address. 77
cumbent, and the liberal salaries, which were paid to them.
In those days of labor, privation and poverty, were in the
highest degree to their honor.
The public school was maintained by annual approjoriations,
for all the children of the town, between four and four
teen years. It was kept by a man, except that liberty
was given to establish a school In the eastern part of the
town, to be kept by a female teacher, for those children, whose
immature age prevented their travel to the town school, and
a sum was allowed for the expenses. The salary of the
teacher varied from £38 to £50 per annum, and the school
was kept six months during the year, the Instructor being usu
ally competent to Instruct In the dead languages. The first
school In the town, kept by a female, was under the charge
of Widow Catherine Noble, at thirty-five shillings per week.
Mr. Isaac Phelps, one of the first settlers of the town, and
frequently its town officer, was a frequent teacher of the
school, and was also the Rev. Mr. Bull.
WESTFIELD ACADEMY.
In the latter part of the last century, the attention of the
people was directed to the establishment of an academical in
stitution. With a commendable promptness, the town voted
a sum of £600, or $2,000, towards its endowment; and on
the 17th of June, 1793, an act was passed, Incorporating Gen.
William Shepard and others, as the Trustees of Westfield
Academy, "to be and continue a body politic, by the same
name, forever." The friends of the new Institution contem
plated, and so did the Legislature, that the funds were to be
Increased, as a means of future usefulness ; for the act pro
vided, that the trustees might hold lands, or other estate, to
such an amount, that the annual Income should not exceed
$2,000. It appears, also, by the records of the trustees, that a sum,
exceeding $1,000 was also subscribed, and^secured to the In
stitution, in 1797, by citizens of the town. In response to a
petition of the trustees, the Legislature granted them a half
township of land In Maine, which was converted into the funds.

78 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
On the 1st day of January, 1800, the academy building,
erected at a cost of $5,000, was dedicated by religious observ
ances; a sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Lathrop;
an address was delivered by the Hon. Samuel Fowler; and
a formal presentation of the key of the building was made by
him to Mr. Peter Starr, the first preceptor.
It would be a pleasing retrospect. If we were to pass over
the first two-thirds of the present century, and record the
names of those, at whose feet, from time to time, we have sat
for guidance and instruction : if we were to recall those early
companions, with whom we strayed, and played, and perhaps
toiled along the paths of learning — companions dear to us
then, — of whom we felt, " very pleasant hast thou been to me,
my brother," — but oh how doubly dear now, as one by one
they have faded from our sight, leaving us more and more
alone, like a city, which sits solitary, and yet is full of people
— in the world but not of It, among men yet not of them, and
sighing for the unselfish friendship of those, who made our
young hours happy : if we were to estimate the effect, which
the establishment of the institution has wrought upon the
material interests of the town. Its moral Influence upon the
people, and the heightened tone it has given to its intelligence,
and its virtue : if we were to consider, what a result has heen
produced upon the world at large, by more than nine thous
and people, who have gone out from it, to all parts of the
civilized globe. But the topic is too vast for the occasion.
I may say, however, in regard to it, as a part of the history
of the town, that the proximity of other institutions, endowed
by enhghtened liberality, with ample funds, enabling them to
provide more numerous teachers, more extensive apparatus,
and more commodious boarding accommodations, Inaugurated
a rivalry, against which, this almost un-endowed Institution
could poorly struggle. The buildings and grounds, which had
come down to us, were accordingly sold. The estate of the
academy is Invested for increase, until, by accumulation, aug
mented, as I trust It will be, by future benefactions, it shall
again spring forward into a field of usefulness. Aiy feUow-
citlzens, I say now. In as full faith aa I said to you on the 31st

MR. bates' ADDRESS. 79
day of July, 1857 — "Westfield Academy will never die!
It was born to be immortal! It was Incorporated to he, and
continue a body politic forever!''^ andif this generation shall
pass away, with a deluded apathy to its interests, it will find,
in a generation, perhaps now unborn, friends, who will rally
around It, with the zeal of its first founders, and rejoice with
exceedingly great joy, In its returned prosperity.
I cannot refrain from enrolling In the text, the munificence
of two of our citizens who have passed away from us, and
who have left names, which are destined to live In succeeding
generations. Samuel Mather was born in Westfield. He was the son
of Capt. John Mather, and his wife Sophia, a descendant of
the Rev. Edward Taylor. His father was the son of Samuel
Mather, a physician, and formerly one of the associate
judges of the old local Court of Common Pleas.
After the decease of his parents, he removed to Hartford,
and resided with his sister Cynthia, the wife of the Hon.
John B. Eldredge. He had been a hard-laboring, thrifty
farmer. He had added to his patrimony by his own accumu
lations, and was in those easy circumstances, where he was
removed from the necessity of laborious exertion. During
his early life, he had felt the want of a good library ; and,
with a taste for substantial reading, he became a frequent
visitor to that noble institution, for which the city of Hart
ford is indebted to the liberality of Wadsworth. Although
removed from the town of Westfield, his heart was still here !
and he conceived the design of aiding In the formation of a
public library in Westfield. In furtherance of his suggestion,
an act was passed. Incorporating " the Westfield Athe-
nteum." The corporation was organized, and immediately
he paid over to the treasurer thereof, ten government bonds,
of one thousand dollars each, amounting to about $11,000.
Inspired by a similar feeling, Hiram Harrison, also a native
of this town, determined to co-operate with Mr. Mather, in
his great object. He too had been brought up, with but
limited advantages. Notwithstanding that he had, by his
talent for business, and the assiduous application of all his

80 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
energies to an extensive and complicated business, accumu
lated more than a sufficient competence, he still felt the want
of that mental culture, which is necessary to form the char
acter of a complete man ; and he determined to aid In the
provision for the education of the people, In useful science,
and elegant literature. For this purpose, he purchased the
land, and erected the building, which now stands on the
north-east corner of the public square, and which he con
veyed by deed to the proprietors of the Westfield Athe-
nffium In fee. The cost of the land and building was
about $11,000.
The Intent of Mr. Harrison was to provide a place for the
reception of books, and a place, also, for receiving the publi
cations, that should be placed therein. It was the design of
Mr. Mather to ensure the keeping that place open for read
ing and the use of books, and of having it, on each day In
the year, warmed and lighted, for the accommodation of the
people. Accordingly, he provided, that the principal sum of
$10,000, should be left entire ; and the interest only should
be devoted, first to the warming and lighting of the rooms,
and for the salary of the librarian ; and then any remain
der might be appropriated to the general uses of the institu
tion. The people of the town, for the most part, showed, by
their conduct, their appreciation of these benefactions for
them, and their posterity ; and a subscription was made up
to the amount of $10,000 for the purchase of books, maps,
magazines, and the periodicals and newspapers of the day.
Some of the old residents of the town, who have been
prospered in their own places of residence, at a distance from
their old home, have yet remembered the embarrassments of
their youth, and have sent back their benefactions to aid the
future men and women of this country. In their pursuit of
learning. The names of the donors are enrolled in the rec
ords of the Institudon, there to remain, as perpetual memo
rials of Individual enlightenment and Individual liberality.
The catalogue of our benefactors to the contributions of
science, would be Incomplete without the addition of another

MR. BATES' ADDRESS. 81
name, which, also, will be held in the affectionate remem
brance of future generations. Mr. Stephen Harrison, an
elder brother of Mr. Hiram Harrlsofi, was born and bred In
the town, and had acquired a competency, by his systematic
agricultural labor. He had seen the advances that scientific
experiment had given to manufacturing industry ; that the
elements had been called In, as the substitutes of human
strength ; and as he contemplated the niimerous applications
of the truths of science, to almost every object around him,
and reflected, that but a small progress had been made in that
science, which is the art of all arts, he felt a natural desire,
that the revelations of matured learning, should be infused
into common knowledge, and that mind should be made to
direct the energies of those operations, which are to feed and
clothe the world. He accordingly bequeathed the sum of
$5,000 to trustees, as a fund for instruction in scientific ag
riculture. The income was incorporated with the funds of
the academy, in carrying out the design of the enlightened
testator ; and an arrangement is now in progress, for a course
of scientific study, in connection with the academy, and the
State Normal School. All honor be to those men, whose
enlightened philosophy appreciates the true purposes of
wealth, and whose benevolence turns away from the absorb
ing cry of avarice, to the higher calls of Christian duty.
"The evil that men do," said Shakspeare's wily orator,
" lives after them ! The good is oft interred with their bones !
So let it be with Cassar!" So let it not be, so It will not be, so
it can not be, with tbe deeds of Mather and the Harrisons.
So it can not be with those, whose beneficence is expended in
the promotion of human good. Every volume carried home
from the alcove to the fireside, for the delights of learning ;
every half-hour in its quiet halls, where the wise of all ages
speak to us from their illuminated pages ; every annual return
for the increase and the perpetuation of the blessings, which
their benevolence originated, will be each their reminder and
their jubilee. 11

82 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
The Interest of the town, in the cause of education, was
manifested at a recent period, In the establishment of the
State Normal School here. When the present system of ed
ucating the teachers of youth, for the business of their pro
fession, was at first Inaugurated, it was looked upon, by many
sensible persons, with fear and distrust. The early schools
languished ; and such was the indifference to its welfare, that
It became necessary to remove one of them to a new place,
where the friends of education were more decided and pro
nounced In their opinions. To the honor of this town, it may
be said, that Westfield never doubted. Experience had shown
them the value of educated labor; and they believed, that
the educators of mind should not be novices. For the pur
poses of Its reception and establishment here, they made lib
eral offers and appropriations. The Board of Education ac
cepted the propositions, and Westfield became the seat of one
of the state institutions. It soon became necessary to erect
a building; and, acting in connection with the center school-
district, a building was put up, large enough for both the
normal and common school. The former soon absorbed the
whole building. It still went on and prospered ; and, at last,
an addition, equal to the whole original structure, was made
to it. And now a new feature has been introduced. It is pro
posed to educate teachers in all the branches of common, and
high school learning ; and, for that purpose, a new story, cover
ing the whole building, has just been completed, and the school
has now commenced under new auspices of extended good.

And now, as we approach the close of these more formal
and serious ceremonials, to commence upon those observances,
where are to mingle "the flow of soul, and the philosophy of
pleasure," let me press upon your consideration, the Impor
tant question,— what Is to be the future of this town, when
one and two centuries shall have passed away? Is it destined
to fall back in the march of improvement, and to be out
stripped by other towns, whose slow advances we have de-

MR. bates' ADDRESS. 83
rided? Is It to linger, listlessly, along the by-ways of ease
and pleasure, contented to receive what chance may throw
into its lap, without a wish to extend an individual effort for
the public weal? Or, are we, with that enlightened fore
thought, which comprehends public welfare, public honor,
and public reputation, as an Index of private advancement
and private character, and with a concerted determination to
enrich, elevate and Improve it, in Its natural and moral pros
perity, to rush forward in the race of progress, and seize upon
the victor's garland?
Let us never forget that we are the guardians of Its pres
ent, and Its future prosperity. It is for us to cast its horo
scope; and coming events will bring It forward to that ad
vance, where we cast it. Our fathers, surely, provided for
us a goodly heritage. They cast our lot for us In pleasant
places, on the swift, gliding streams of Woronoco.
Here, still, are the broad meadows, that nature fertilizes,
with her more than annual Inundations. Here are those broad
plains, than which no other soil produces so valuable cereals.
Here are the forest-waving mountains, which shelter and em
bosom this most beautiful valley, and which our fathers cov
eted for building purposes, two hundred years ago ! Here
are those health-giving streams, which still afford an unlim
ited power for prosperous industry. Here are the public
schools, that stand as monuments of municipal wisdom. Here
are the churches of all denominations, central and beautiful,
with pastors, in harmony with the people, and Ln concord with
each other; and here, amid all the blessings that were ever
showered down upon any people, we may enjoy, to the ut
most fulness, what the exiles sought, and for which our fath
ers fought, — "Freedom to worship God!"
Note. — In the preparation of the address, I have had occasion to refer fre
quently to the books and papers in the archives of the Commonwealth, in the
department under the charge of Hon. Oliver Warner, the Secretary of State.
He has afforded me every facility of access to them, and has furnished me with
copies of those which are inserted in the Appendix.
I should, however, have been embarrassed in researches, without the aid of
that diUgent antiquarian, Mr. Pulsifer. His thorough explorations and his
accurate knowledge have brought many papers to light, of the existence of
which few, if any persons were cognizant.

The Dinner.

The Committee on Entertainment had secured the
mammoth tent of Prince & Co. of Boston, measuring
200 feet by 80, for use on the occasion, and had it
pitched in Broad street, at the south end of the park.
Tables were arranged, and plates set for one thou
sand persons or more, and each plate had an occupant.
Messrs. Fowler & Noble of Westfield, and E. C. Barr
& Co. of Springfield were the caterers. The flood
had very seriously interfered with their arrangements,
causing vexatious delay, so that the dinner which was
to have been served at one o'clock, did not come ofll^
till three, and some articles on the "bill of fare" did
not come to hand at all. Our excellent caterers,
under the circumstances, could do nothing better
than throw themselves upon the patience and good
nature of their guests, which they found in abund
ance, unquenched by the flowing waters. One could
learn from them what strong determination and per
sistent effort can accomplish under adverse circum
stances. The exercises in the church being concluded, the
procession re-formed and marched around the park
to the tent, filling up the ample space within the en
closure. The tables presented a very neat appear
ance. They were highly decorated with flowers from
the gardens of S. Dow, Esq., and Mrs. Judson Rowe,

86 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
and if all the articles called for by the " bill of fare"
were not at hand, still there was an abundance to
satisfy the sharpened appetites of the vast throng,
and to spare. Norman T. Leonard, Esq., in the ab
sence of Mr. Fowler, presided. A blessing was in
voked by the Rev. Edward Jessup of Brooklyn, N. Y.,
a native of the town. After an hour of successful
onslaught, a fearful scene was presented.
The dinner ended, the true symposium com
menced. As a rule, unstudied after-dinner speeches
have a certain mellowness and bonhomie about them,
as if the flavor of the viands already was incorpora
ted in their words, and those of to-day were not ex
ceptions. Hon. Thomas Kneil opened the ball by proposing
as the firat toast :
" The President of the United States."
It was expected that Gilmore's band would be
present and play "Hail to the Chief," but it was not
able to reach the town. The Hon. H. L. Dawes was
invited to be present and respond to this sentiment.
The following dispatch, which was read at the table,
explains the cause of his absence :
PiTTSPIELD, Oct. 6, 1869.
Hon. E. B. Gillett, Westfield:
The floods rage between me and thee, and I am disappointed. H. L. D.4WES.
The second regular toast was then announced:
The Governor of the Commonwealth.
To which Hon. Horatio G. Knight of Easthampton,
member of the governor's council, ably responded.
He regretted that neither His Excellency the Governor, nor His
Honor the Lieutenant Governor were present to make a fitting response
to the sentiment that had just been oifered. The former was not ex-

PROCEEDINGS AT TABLE. 87
peoted ; the latter was doubtless detained by the great freshet, whioh
had interrupted the lines of travel.
' While sitting in the church, with that great congregation, composed
mostly of the sons and daughters of Westfield, and while listening to
the eloquent and instructive addresses there made, and the delightful
music there performed, he almost regretted that he was not a native of
the town, and did regret that he had never been a member of Westfield
Academy. He then felt, and now, at that table, felt almost as an in
truder at a great family festival. Living so near to Westfield, in an
adjoining county, it had been his privilege to make the acquaintance of
many of her prominent citizens; but he had known little concerning
the history of the town. He had many reasons for respecting the town,
and feeling a lively interest in its prosperity. All he had heard and
seen on that ocoasion increased that respect and interest.
Westfield, with its churches, its schools, its manufactories, and its pro
ductive farms, has occupied, and will continue to hold a conspicuous
place in this noble commonwealth. Such towns make the state a noble
one, make us proud of it, and constrain us to repeat with loving hearts,
"God save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."
He thought it would not be proper for him to occupy more time, and
concluded his remarks by thanking the committee for their invitation to
attend the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the incor
poration of their good old town, and expressing the earnest hope that the
future history of Westfield might be even more glorious than the
past. The third regular toast :
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts — prosperous within her own
borders, she sends forth her children to form new States and Territories,
and imbue them with her own thrift and industry.
Responded to by the Hon. Charles R. Ladd of
Springfield, formerly a member of Westfield Acad
emy. Mr. Ladd said :
Mr, Chaiiman: The day, with all its peculiar duties and enjoy.
ments, belongs of right to the citizens of your beautiful and thriving
town, and to the children from other places — near and far away —
whom they have invited home. You, sir, know very well that I am
not one of the family, either by birth or adoption. Consequently I
am here to-day without an invitation, and only as a spectator of these
interesting exercises. I hoped to meet many friends who, with me,

88 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
were members of the old Academy, nearly thirty years ago, and also
to see the estimable and honored gentleman who was then its popular
principal, and who is now doing good service for the cause of educa
tion in a neighboring State. But I have wandered through your
streets, seeking familiar faces almost in vain, and have experienced that
strange sadness which sometimes possesses one, when he feels that he
is alone in the midst of a multitude of people.
Your generous hospitality gave me a place at these well filled tables,
and I can do no less than to express my heart-felt thanks to the citi
zens of Westfield, for this very substantial kindness, and to ask their
indulgence while I add a few words in response to the sentiment last
announced. My honorable friend, (Mr. Knight,) who has just spoken so elo
quently upon the same topic, has left me but little to say.
Sir, the prosperity of Massachusetts is not a myth, but is an exist
ing, palpable fact. It is felt and known on every hand, and almost
throughout the world. It is seen in the crowded streets of her cities,
and in the rural homes that dot her hill-sides and her valleys, — on
every river and streamlet that can turn a spindle, and her numerous
lines of railroad that bear the products of her industry to business
centers, beyond her borders. Though her commerce languishes, it is
not dead ; and though her stubborn soil yields but a moderate reward
for the labor expended upon it, it adds something at least to the grand
total of her annually increasing wealth.
Her schools and colleges and other institutions of learning, were
never so well patronized, or so efficiently and successfuUy managed.
Life and activity — a cheerful and contented spirit prevails everywhere ;
and best of all, intelligence. Christian morality and business integrity,
stand prominently forth as the characteristics of her people. It would
be pleasant to trace these results back to their causes, but time and
your patience would fail me. It is sufiicient for the ocoasion to say
that they had their origin in the colonial and provincial periods of her
history, and that the church and the oommon school system are enti
tled to a large share of the credit of making Massachusetts what she
has been in the past, and what she is to-day.
In my earlier years I could not understand why she was called a
commonwealth — as if in contradistinction to other states in the Union.
Perhaps the prophetic vision of the fathers saw in her high destiny,
the leader in all benevolent and Christian movements for the benefit of
the human race, and the bright exemplar for the guidance of the na
tions in the organization of a free republic. That she is the founder of

PROCEEDINGS AT TABLE. 89
states, is sufSciently exemplified in this great gathering of the scattered
children of a single town. I know not how many states and territories
are represented here; but statistics abundantly show the fact, that all
over the land — in the deep forests of Maine and the everglades of
Florida, on the prairies of Illinois and the mountains of Montana, on
the cotton plantations of the South and the ranches of the Pacific coast
— the children of the Old Bay State are found by scores and hundreds.
And wherever they go, they plant the civilization, the institutions, and
the morals of the commonwealth, by the side of their homes.
In this fact we cherish an honest pride, and upon it, the patriot, the
philanthropist, and the Christian rests his strongest hopes for the future
of our country.
Fourth regular toast :
The Founders of Westfield — They selected their township with wis
dom; they defended it with bravery; and the pleasant scenes in which
their children dwell, are the monuments of their enterprise and refine
ment. E. V- B. Holcomb, Esq., of Chicopee, Westfield-
born and bred, responded as follows ;
Mr. President : — It gives us sincere pleasure to return to our native
town to participate in these interesting, instructive and pleasing bi-cen
tennial exercises ; to return to our native town, — old Westfield, — the
home of our youth and our boyhood, to meet here so many returned
sons and daughters, friends and acquaintances of former days ; to grasp
the friendly hand, and again look into these faces, after years of sepa
ration ; to talk over old times and sayings, and note the improvements
of her enterprising citizens in her manufacturing, her mechanical, her
agricultural and educational interests, which so eminently mark her
progress and give her distinction. Our difierent callings have led
us in various directions and pursuits of life. Engrossing as they have
been, they have never blotted from our memory the home of our nativity ;
neither have we ceased an active interest in her prosperity, her growth,
and her welfare. We have seen, with great satisfaction, the public
spirit of her citizens, manifested in the development of those enterprises,
which are useful to mankind, and which we behold in the many neat and
comfortable dwellings, the broad and well kept walks and streets, stores,
and good farms, the stately churches and fine school-houses, which so
elegantly adorn and beautify our good old home ; monuments of your
liberality, good taste, culture and refinement, showing that the stirring
12

90 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
people of the town have nobly carried out the wisdom and policy of the
founders of this ancient town ; and the bravery of her many sons, who
stood for the defence of our country and government, immolating their
lives for freedom's sake, for the sake of the Union, and the right in
our late war, show that able and brave soldiers were reared here, and
ready to emulate the spirit of their fathers.
We are happy to greet so many aged people here to-day, the fathers
and mothers of a former generation, linking the present with the past,
recounting to us the growth and prosperity of the town ; long may they
live, " their last days being their best days."
Many who started in life with us are not here to day, they have fallen
by the way ; they are missed, but not forgotten. This memorable bi
centennial day we welcome as one of the happiest days of our lives ;
forever will it be fresh in our memories ; and thankful are we to the
wide awake people of old Westfield, for inaugurating and executing,
with such marked success, the events of the day. Thanking a kind
Providence for all his many blessings, and permitting so many to meet
and participate in this celebration, we close by offering the foUowing
sentiment :
The sons who have gone from old Westfield — Proud of the town and
home that gave them birth, of its agricultural, manufacturing, educa
tional and mechanical prosperity, her churches and school-houses, her
success and her history ; may they never do anything to bring dishonor
on her fair name.
The fifth regular toast:
The returned Sons and Daughters of Westfield — We welcome back
"the old familiar faces." Let them tarry with us till they study weU
the lessons of their childhood, before they take a new departure.
Rev. Dr. S. R. Ely, of Roslyn, Long Island, re
sponded, he said :
Mr, Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: — I am happy to meet and
greet you on this rare and interesting occasion, and esteem it a privilege
to express (however feebly) the feelings and emotions which are awak
ened by the scene before me. The occasion is rare, inasmuch as it oc
curs but once in a hundred years — it is our first and last gathering of
the kind. It is a joyful occasion, because it is a return to the place of
our birth— to the home of our childhood, after long years of absence—
a coming back to meet the few who began life with us, and who became
the more dear as their numbers diminished.

PROCEEDINGS AT TABLE. 91
" 0 home of my boyhood, my dear native home,
I love it the better wherever I roam."
This is a beautiful spot, on which the hand of God has been most
lavish of his gifts. To the west rises those rock-ribbed hills, that look
to-day just as they looked in my childhood, queer and beautiful ; stand
ing just where they stood when the voice of God spake them into being
To the north stands Mt. Tom and his little brother Holyoke in all their
grim, sullen grandeur, like two old sentinels looking forth upon the
beautiful valley of the Connecticut. From the east we catch the first
beams of the rising sun, and from the south comes the pure, fresh
breeze from the ocean, modified a little by its passage over hills and
plains. It is indeed a charming spot — ever dear to our hearts — ever
fresh in our memories, into whatsoever lands we may have wandered.
There is a single thought, to which I trust I may be permitted to give
utterance. It is the ministry of this plaee. The town was organized
two hundred years ago to-day. The first church organization of the
place was ten years later, and the first clergyman of the place, regu
larly ordained and installed, was the Kev. Mr. Taylor. The next was
the Kev. Mr. Bull, whose successor was the Rev. Mr. Balantine, and
the fourth link in the ministerial chain was the Kev. Mr. Atwater, the
fifth the Rev. Isaac Knapp, and the sixth the Rev. Dr. E. Davis.
Without pausing to individualize or dwell upon the gifts and excellencies
of these devout men, it is sufficient for our purpose to know that they all
magnified their office. They have all finished their course with you — their
graves hallow the ground where slumbers the dust of your fathers —
not one was allowed to sufier from penury, or forced away in age. This
simple fact speaks volumes in your and their praise. As we survey the
labors of these sainted men, we cannot fail of discovering the mighty
infiuence whioh they exerted over the minds and morals of our fathers
— over all that pertained to their welfare in the life that now is, and
that which is to oome. In regard to the other churches of our common
Lord and Saviour I can say but little, from the simple fact that they have
come into existence since I have left this place. They probably had
their struggles, trials and discouragements in their infancy, but they
have now attained a strong and noble manhood, and as members of the
great body of Christ, are exerting an influence in common with their
sister churches, which tells not only upon the present generation, but
which wiU tell upon generations yet to come.
And now, Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen of Westfield, permit
me to express to you my gratitude, and the gratitude of all your guests
to-day, for the honor you have done us on this occasion, and the eloquent.

92 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
cordial, touching welcome with which we have been received. This is
the last gathering of the kind in which we shaU ever mingle — but thanks
to our Father, there is another gathering in which we and the great ^
host of the good who have preceded us shall meet; a gathering on the
fair banks of the River of Life, where we shall be exempt from the toUs
and partings incident to us here ; until then, honored friends and kin
dred dear, farewell !
George Stowe, Esq., of New York, son of the late
Deacon John H. Stowe of Westfield, was now called
upon for a song. Mounting a chair, he sang " The
Home of my Boyhood " with a vim and abandon, that
elicited shouts of applause.
Sixth regular toast :
The President of the Day — Venerable in years, ripe in virtue. His
path like that of the just, shining more and more unto the perfect day.
The infirm health of Mr. Fowler had compelled
him to retire before this sentiment was read, and the
company were deprived the pleasure of hearing his
response. Seventh regular toast :
The Orator of the Day — Distinguished and accomplished in his pro
fession, beloved and respected as a citizen, he honors his native town
by his able and interesting address on this occasion.
Mr. Bates s4id,,.in reply, substantially as follows :
There are some people, Mr. Chairman, who pretend to contemn the
opinion of the world. They affect to consider, that all their conduct pro
ceeds from the best of motives ; and, that what they do, is done in the
best way ; so tbat, if the world censure them, the world is mistaken,
and they are sorry, not for themselves, but for the errors of the world.
There is another class, who pretend, that they are of independent
thought, uninfluenced by, and regardless of the conduct, or the estimate
of others ; and, generally, suoh persons are of such character, that, as
between them and the world, there is no love lost. I belong. Sir, to
neither of these classes. I do value the opinion of my feUow-men,
and, especiaUy of my townsmen, — of those, who have lived with me,
in the town, where they aud I were born and bred ; and, therefore, I

PROCEEDINGS AT TABLE. 93
value the sentiment, which has been given, and I feel grateful for the
manner in whioh it has been received.
I do not consider it as a mere formal compliment. I know that
this assemblage appreciates the effort, which has been made to group
together the memorials of our forefathers, the early and brave settlers
of this town ; and they are glad, that even so much has been done, as
I have been enabled to do ; and my regret is, and it is a sincere one,
that I have not been able to accomplish more, to spread before you a
record, more worthy of them, and of the occasion.
And here, perhaps, I ought to stop. I see your chairman thinks so.
I read, what he would say, in his eye, and his face. He is saying to
me, in his silence, whioh, it is said, is often the most expressive elo
quence, " You have been honored with an appointment of your towns
men, to deliver an historical address. You have delivered it ! For
more than a mortal hour, have you kept a large audience in the church,
obliged to listen to your lucubrations. They could not go out, without
disturbing the order of the proceedings, and endangering their dinner,
and therefore they stayed, in constrained patience. You were assigned
an honored seat on the dais, next to the chairman. You have received
the usual complimentary toast to ' the orator of the day ;' and the
company have, good-naturedly, made a show of approbation. And
yet, after all' this has been done, you get up, like a clergyman, who
preaches all the afternoon, to tell his hearers what he said in the fore
noon, to say, what you ought to have said, or to repeat what you have
said already." I do confess, that I do not see how I can stand up
under these heavy objurgations. I feel that I must yield to them, and
especially so, when I see around me so many distinguished persons,
from all parts of the country, whom we all would be glad to hear.
But I cannot sit down, my friends, without assuring you, that the
words of welcome that our lips have uttered, our hearts feel ! You
have wandered away from the Woronoco, over many higher and
loftier mountains, over many broader and deeper rivers, than those
which glide, and, at times, rush through the valley, which our moun
tains encircle. And some of you have passed over to the Western
shores of this broad continent. But, we are glad to see you back
again, upon the hearth-stone of our race. We are rejoiced to have
you see us ; to have you see what we have done, and what we are now
doing. And, when you leave us, as you will too soon do, for the
happy homes where you now dwell, we would have you carry with
you the abiding conviction, that the fires, which our fathers lighted
here, in a wilderness, shall be kept by us, ever brightly burning.

94 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
Eighth regular toast :
Eussell — The youngest child of Westfield — born when its mother
was 123 years old; and in Russell was begotten Reuben whose sur
name is Chapman. By this birth Russell became the mother, and
Westfield the grandmother of the judiciary of the commonwealth.
Official dutiea prevented the attendance of the
chief justice. We publish a letter from him in the
appendix. Ninth regular toast :
Southwick — The eldest ohild of Westfield — born when its parent
was a hundred years old, but not weaned tUl a lusty youngster of ten.
To which Mr. S. S. Fowler of Southwick replied
briefly. Tenth regular toast:
Montgomery — -Our second child. Like a bold eaglet she looks down
from her mountain perch uj)on the parent nest.
Eleventh regular toast :
The Fathers of Westfield — Distinguished for their strong common
sense, their unswerving integrity, their love of simple customs, and for
their success in every worthy undertaking.
Rev. Ambrose Day responded substantially as fol
lows :
I had thought the arrangements made for this occasion, were gener
ally pretty judicious, but I come now, where the wisdom of the pro
gramme is not so apparent. The old men of the town are not here, and
if they were, I might not be their representative.
But, sir, of the old men of the town, — where are they ? I look in
vain for them here to-day, and with solitary exceptions they are gone —
gone to be with us here no more. They have taken their departure to
another land, some of them so recently that then presence had been
anticipated at this gathering, and we feel a sort of disappointment at
not seeing their faces among us. In contemplating the fathers of the
town, we are forcibly reminded of the anecdote of the Uttle maid, who
when inquired of, how many children there were belonging to the fam
ily, replied " Seven." When asked where they were, she answered
by giving the locality of five of them, and added, "and two are dead."

PROCEEDINGS AT TABLE. 95
When it was objectingly asked, "Then there are but five of you, are
there? " she still insisted, "Yes, we are seven." So we too must make
the same claim, yes, we are seven.
With this definition of the " old men of the town," we say they
were, as a class, a worthy set of men. They had not all the advan
tages we enjoy. They could not have come their hundred miles this
morning, and been present at this festival, but they were raen of sound
common sense. Social and kindly in their intercourse, sober, industri
ous and frugal in their habits. Young America was not at a premium
with them. Indeed he was not then grown. If born, he had not at
tained the proportions he has since assumed. Having but lately ac
quired deliverance from a foreign dominion, they had found themselves
in a kind of social and political chaos, and they felt themselves en
gaged in rearing a superstructure for themselves and their posterity.
That superstructure we have to-day, in the institutions they established,
and in the character, intelligence and enterprise of their descendants
here assembled, or wherever they are scattered over the lands. The
schools they planted, and other institutions they organized, are yielding
to us an exuberant harvest of social, civil and religious blessings.
Their names and their doings are to be held in grateful remembrance.
I will only add, honor to their memory, and peace to their ashes.
Twelfth regular toast:
The Women of Westfield — Wives and Mothers, nowhere truer.
They have been rendered illustrious by the character of their sons and
daughters ; Maidens nowhere lovelier.
This was responded to by Rev. E. H. Richardson.
He said :
I think the sentiment eminently just, except that its diflTerent
parts were a little too much restricted in their application ; for, in
the first place, what is declared of the wives and mothers is equally
true of the daughters and the maidens ; and what is declared of th^
maidens, is true also of the wives and mothers. They are all alike
true, yet no more true, than lovely. Go where you will — the wide
world over — and more of all that, which serves to render the female
presence a charm and a sanctification, you will not find. Now we
feel this to-day. These wives, mothers and daughters are not only the
embellishment, but the inspiration of the ocoasion. These decora
tions, by which the church was so beautifully adorned, were the thoughts
of their 'mind, and the work of their fingers. The songs of the day

96 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
have thrilled us more deeply, have inspired us with better sen
timents, than perhaps any words, which for months have been addressed
to us. How much of the material of the excellent commemorative ad
dress of the day owed its existence to what the women of Westfield
have done ; and those warm words of welcome, could a higher praise of
them be spoken, than that they' expressed the heart ofthe whole assem
bly — of the mothers, wives and daughters of Westfield. I can not
pass by the hymns, or poems that were read. Why, just look back
over the day, — so muoh of it as has passed, — and take away from its
pleasures and improvement that part, contributed by the female mind
and heart, and what would remain ? The eff'ect wrought upon the fes
tivities of the day by this bi-centennial flood, would be as nothing to
such a depletion. Of the congregations, which assemble upon the Sab
bath in this town, I think three-fourths of each are composed of women.
Without them the social meetings in these churches would be a farce.
Two-thirds of the membership of these churches is composed of women.
Three-fourths of our Sabbath School teachers are women. Of aU the
reforms of the day, what the women contribute is the main element.
Of the positive forces of the day and the hour, they are the greater
part. And what the women of Westfield are to-day, have we a doubt but
that they have always been? In looking over the ancient records,
we do not indeed find written the names of women. Not a speech or
address from a Westfield woman is there in print. I do not think that
either from pulpit or rostrum by a Westfield woraan, an oration or ad
dress was ever delivered. From the very tombstone of many a one
of them, the very name has been obliterated. Yet have not the
mothers of this town, though not by speech, expressed themselves ? And
as regards monumental commemoration, unto whom has been erected that,
which is raore enduring, or more to honor ? The women of Westfield
have been the wives and mothers of the men of Westfield. AU of history
is of them. To review the past, to review all that ennobles, and blesses
the present, is to review them. Have we not the pledge that, what
the mothers have been, the daughters are now? Young men — you
who are here to-day, not with a mother, not with a sister leaning upon
your arm — a word to you. Learn to estimate the treasure that you
have. God made woman to be beautiful, to clothe herself in garments
of beauty. He made her also to beautify. A beautiful maiden is the
most beautiful object that an angel ever thought, or that God ever made
— I believe — and yet, to say of any true woman tbat she is beautiful,
is saying too Uttle. Young man, the resemblance of her ancestors, of

PROCEEDINGS AT TABLE. 97
her mother is upon that maiden, and there is beauty in her, as well as
npon her. There is deterraination in her, fortitude, patience, helpfulness,
womanly devotion, piety, love, trust. Believe it of her ; confide in
her; be worthy of her. Let tbe men of Westfield be worthy of the
women of Westfield, and the honor of our future is secure.
Thirteenth regular toast :
The colors of the 10th Regiment — Their tattered folds recall the
days, when " stormed at, with shot and shell, they led the columns of
the gallant 10th to victory."
Capt. P. Solomon of Westfield replied. He said :
I had not the honor of following through the many hard-fought bat
tles, the flags you have just toasted. My lot was in other fields sustain
ing its counterpart. The loyal soldier of our late war loses none of
his enthusiasm in responding for the "Stars and Stripes.'' They are all
alike to him — have the same meaning — no matter to which of our brave
regiments they were entrusted. I regret my inability to follow in de
tail the history, and awaken reminiscences of the perils and struggles,
through which your brave sons carried this tattered banner, in the se
verest conflicts against disunion, and how, when peace crowned the ef
forts of patriotism, they brought it back in victory, more beautiful
though torn, than when sound in all Its parts. Then its destiny hung
in the balance : now it is assured ! It is to us a pleasant cmncidence,
that the same strong arm and stout heart that bore it in the fiercest din
of battle without a fear or a waver, through every struggle of the Army
of the Potomac, from Fair Oaks to Petersburg, is with us to-day, and
carried " the dear old flag " in the procession this morning. As color
sergeant he held it up in bold defiance when comrades fell around it,
and every corporal of his guard fell a victim to the rebel fire. Adam
Swan of "Company K" must be forever remembered and associated
with the flag you honor to-day.
No wonder that Westfield looks back with pride upon the past, and
rejoices in the fuUness of her heart, that the trusts confided to her by
the commonwealth (always first in war for liberty and equality) were
not misplaced. How inspiring to the soldier is your sentiment, loyal,
patriotic and fresh as in the dark days of our country, when friends
were plenty, but not too numerous ; and now, when the good work has
been done, neither the peril nor the dear old flag is forgotten. Are
Republics ungrateful when suoh people are at the foundation of our
government? Emulating the noble principles which gave our flag its
13

98 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
birth, deeming no sacrifice too great for its maintenance, we will march
in the van of civilization, holding it aloft, as a glorious beacon of hope,
to which all may steer; and under its folds securely anchor. And as
surely as we follow in motive and deed, the lofty examples taught by
the ancestry of American liberty, so certainly will our children foUow
us; generation will follow generation, each vieing with the other, to be
queath its share and interest of its own priceless inheritance.
Fourteenth regular toast :
The Westfield Atheneum — The memories of Samuel Mather and
Hiram Harrison. The Atheneum is their monument. May it be im
perishable. Mr. Eldredge of Hartford replied, handsomely re
ferring to the lives and characters of Messrs. Mather
and Harrison as signal instances of what may be ac
complished by faithfulness, perseverance and purity
of life, and recommended with earnestness that the
young men of Westfield strive to imitate their vir
tues and good qualities.
Fifteenth regular toast :
Our %ave Soldiers — For the dead — our tears. For the Uving — our
prayers. To all — our gratitude.
Mr. E. B. Smith was called upon to respond which
he did in a manner worthy of the brave men com
memorated. Sixteenth regular toast :
Our Public Schools — The fathers founded and fostered them. We
hold them in trust, a precious memorial of wisdom of the past, and
blessed pledge of the stability and progress of the future.
Replied to by Rev. H. Hopkins, substantially as
follows :
Mr. President — Ladies and Gentlemen : The decUning sun and
this dissolving audience forbid that I should respond as fully as I had
intended to the sentiment just read ; but it would be inexcusable, if on
this occasion no distinct historical reference were made to the connec
tion of our system of public education with the men of two hundred

PRpCEEDINGS AT TABLE. 99
years ago. The inhabitants of this place at that time, — sorae of whose
names have been spoken to-day, formed a part, and were a sample of
the old puritan colonial commonwealth. I may be permitted then, sim
ply to read two or three extracts from the early colonial records, which
reflect the brightest lustre upon the fathers. As illustrating their spirit,
take this prayer, uttered before the civil court of Massachusetts in 1645,
by John Eliot, the apostle to the Indians : " Lord ! for schools every
where araong us ! that our schools may flourish ! that every member
of this assembly may go home and procure a good school to be encour
aged in the town where he lives ! that before we die we may be so
happy as to see a good school encouraged in every plantation in the
country." I should like to further illustrate this point, but forbear.
As early as 1635, free schools were commenced in Boston, and in the
year 1647, the General Court passed the following memorable order,
for the promotion of common education : "It is, therefore, ordered by
this courte and authority thereof, that every towneshipp within this ju
risdiction, after that the Lord hath increased them to the nuraber of
fifty howsholders, shall then forthwith appointe one within theire towne,
to teach all such children as shall resortes to him, to write and read,
whose wages shall be paid either by the parents or mothers of such
children, or by the inhabitants in general, by way of supplye, as the
major porte of those who order the prudentials of the towne shaU ap
pointe. And be it further ordered, that when any towne shall in
crease to the nuraber of one hundred farailies or howsholders, they
shall sett up a grammar school, the mothers thereof being able to in
struct youths so far as they may bee fitted for the university." It waa
thus that our fathers founded our public schools.
Cotton Mather says of the University of Cambridge which they
founded in 1636, when there were only five thousand families of them,
that it was " the best thing they ever thought of." But in the light of
the developing history of the country, the most discerning rainds of
our time declare the best thing they ever thought of was the common
school system.
Mr. Horace Mann, in one of his reports to the board of education,
after describing the scattered, enfeebled, endangered and suff'ering con
dition of the colonists, says: "It was then, and amid all these priva
tions and dangers, that the pilgrim fathers conceived the magnificent
idea of a free and universal education for the people. As an innova
tion upon all pre-existing policy and usages, the establishment of free
schools was the boldest ever promulgated since the commencement of
the Christian era."

100 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
Mr. Bancroft writes, "In these raeasures, especially in the laws es
tablishing common schools, Ues the secret of the success and character
of New England. Every chUd, as it was bom into the world, was Ufted
from the earth by the genius of the country, and in the statutes of the
land, received as its birthright, a pledge of the public care for its mor
als and its mind ; " and Judge Story says, " The traest glory of our
forefathers is in that system of public instruction, which they instituted
by law, and to which New England owes more of its character, its dis
tinction and its prosperity, than to all other causes. If this system be
not altogether without example in the history of other nations (as I
suspect it to be in its structure and extent), it is, considering the age
and means of the projectors, an extraordinary instance of wise legisla
tion, and worthy of the raost profound statesmen of any time. At the
distance of centuries it stands alone and unrivalled." Such are, in
brief, the facts, and such are the testimonies concerning them. Let me
remark in passing, as a raatter of the highest significance, that the free
school system of our country owes its origin, not to political philosophers,
or to mere philanthropists, but to men whose distinguishing character
istic was their religious faith, and who sought to put fully into practice
in the new commonwealth they had founded, the principles of the
Holy Scriptures.
The early settlers of this town were many of them descendants of
the Pilgrims, and as a community, inherited their principles and their
usages. I can only stop to say, that the town record on this subject
has been more than good from the first. Free publio schools have ever
been sedulously guarded and generously fostered, while the Westfield
Academy, practically for many years ah adjunct of the common school
system, gave the place a wide and well deserved educational fame.
Our normal school, which we believe to be the best in the land, is a
testimonial not only to the wisdom of the state, but to the public spirit
of this community.
" Our pubhc schools* we hold thera in trust." It is a matter of proud
record, that our schools have raore than kept pace with the advancement
of our raaterial interests, and their condition on this bi-centennial day
is a raatter of public congratulation, in which I raay say that you, sir,
have an especial right to share. If time permitted, I should Uke to speak
of our schools as they now are. We hold them in trust, too sacred to be
touched by a deraagogue, too precious to be rudely handled by any po
litical manager for any party's ends. They require the patient and
faithful watch and care of our best men and women, and they will de
mand increasing liberal appropriations of our raoney. But, fellow-

PROCEEDINGS AT TABLE. 101
citizens, these free public schools are fundamental in our social and polit
ical econoray, and whatever their real interests demand, we will gladly
give. If we can but produce amoug us noble men and women, who
shall bless and honor us, we may well afford to sacrifice all other pro
ducts, for they are worth nothing except for this. If we fail in this,
nothing else has value. Whoever seeks to overthrow the common
school systera of our country, is an enemy to the common good, and is
to be resisted always, at all hazards, and to the end.
I wish to say, sir, in conclusion, that in these days the beneficent
end of our system of public instruction can not be fully reached, un
less attendance on the schools be made in a greater degree compulsory.
The times are ripe for broader and raore stringent legislation on this
subject. The education given by priraary instruction should be the
lowest requisite for full citizenship, ^nd this education should be de
manded by the state. In short, sir, we have need to reproduce, in its
spirit, one of the earliest legislative acts of the Massachusetts colony,
which was as follows : — " Forasmuch as the good education of children
is of singular behoofe and benefit to any comraonwealth ; and whereas
parents and masters are too indulgent and negligent of their duty in
that kind, — It is therefore ordered by this courte and authority thereof,
that the selectmen of every towne, in the several precincts and quar
ters where they dwell, shall have a vigilant eye over their brethren and
neighbors ; to see first, that none of them shall suffer so much barbar-
israe in any of their familyes, as not to endeavor to teach by themselves
or others, theire children and apprentices, so much learning as raay en
able them perfectly to read the English tongue, and knowledge of the
capitall lawes." From "so much barbarisme " in any of our "fam
ilyes," may " the courte and authority thereof " defend us.
Seventeenth regular toast :
The Westfield Merchants — Past and present.
L. F. Thayer, Esq., responded substantially as fol
lows :
I really think it rather severe, Mr. President, that I should be called
upon to respond to the sentiment, the Merchants of Westfield ; and I
have no doubt that when the sentiment was read, that many here ex
pected to see some dignified merchant of ripe age and experience, rise
to respond, instead of myself who am but a boy, in comparison with
others who have gone before me on the satne path.
When I declined to respond to this sentiment, on the ground tbat I

102 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
could hardly consider myself rauch of a merchant, I confess J was some
what taken aback by our worthy orator, who very kindly remarked that
he thought I was as much that as anything else, whioh some sensitive
minds might have construed to raean more than was flattering.
Had I been called upon to respond to the sentiment " Jack at all
trades," I should have been just at home, and there is no telling how
good a speech I should have raade. But I confess that I am a little
puzzled here, for ray memory extends not back to the good old time
that existed, ere that daughter of Massachusetts, called the state of
Maine, embodied in her statutes certain laws, which the indulgent mother
thought so good that she followed her daughter's example, and went
and did it too ; I say I do not remember those glorious old times, when
free frora civil law, our worthy vice-presidents carried two jugs to the
grocery for their molasses, having one filled with the common article
in use at the present day, and the other with an article refined from the
sarae material, and purified from all that was unpleasant, and in those
days familiarly called Santa Croix. I do not remember the scenes in
the old store on the west side of the green, where round the fire on
winter nights, they used to gather, and as the glass went round, discuss
and settle those knotty questions which wearied their brains by day ; and
it seems to me that if some of these worthy gentlemen by my side, who
in their earlier days may have happened to have witnessed some of
those scenes, would tell the story, it would be vastly more pleasant to
sit and hear it, but it is always the way, those that do know, won't teU.
But, coraing down to more modern tiraes, I do remember the Utde shop
that stood where Mr. Colton's store now is, and where Jonathan Tay
lor, with his genial face and kindly smile stood sentinel ; and the store
on the east side, where the worthy proprietor systematized his business
to a nicety. I remember, and who does not, the old store on the north
side of the green, where Samuel Arnold, or as we boys used to call
him. Uncle Sam, kept his various wares, and sold his goods for the best
price he eould get, and preached and prayed free to all who would
listen ; his prayers for the rag-shag and bob-tail from hoop pole, will
never be forgotten by those that heard thera. Uncle Sam was a gen
ius in his way, and many were the tricks the boys sought to play
upon him, but rarely did they outwit him. I don't suppose there ex
ists in the state to-day, a store where such infinite variety of goods could
be found as was stored in that old trap, for nothing could be mentioned
or called for, which the old raan did not have. I reraeraber of two
young men raaking a bet on the ground that one asserted thafnothing
ould be called for that he could not produce ; and when the trial came

PROCEEDINGS AT TABLE. 103
the opposing party walked very blandly up to Mr. Arnold, and inquired
if he had any second-hand pulpits for sale, which was certainly rather of
a rare article to find in a mercantile house ; but the man was a little sur
prised when the old gentleman, in his most winning raanner, asked him
to just step up stairs and see if the one he had would suit him. As
the party that was invited had no particular use for the ai'ticle, he did
not buy, but paid the bet.
But it is late, and I must not weary you. I will not mention the
naraes of those (some of whom are with us to-day) who have gone out
from us into broader fields, and have lined their nests with gems and gold.
I will not speak personally of those, who at the present time are labor
ing from early morn till late at night to minister to the wants of our
growing town ; and let me tell you as one that knows, that there is no
harder life than that you merchants lead, and frora personal knowledge and
acquaintance with most of them, I know them to be earnest and honest
men. I wiU not close without mentioning with kindly feelings, the
names of CoL Hooker, Hiram Harrison and Jasper R. Rand, names that
embodied all that was good, and true, and generous in human life ; few
names in the mercantile history of Westfield were as widely known as
theirs. But they, with others we have known, have passed away, but
will never be forgotten, for the good deeds of their Uves, quarried frora
generous thoughts and noble irapulses, have builded for thera monu
ments nobler and richer than art can rear.
Eighteenth regular toast :
The Press — The great regulator and educator of human society.
Mr. Porter C. Bliss, a reporter for the " New York
Times," and a recently released prisoner of Lopez, in
South America, was introduced to the audience by
Mr. Leonard the presiding ofl&cer at the table, as one
who had suffered much in consequence of his recent
connection with the diplomatic service of our coun
try in Paraguay. He also presented him as a gen
tleman of rare attainments in antiquarian lore, and
as a kinsman, both being descended from John Leon
ard. That individual resided in Springfield, his house
standing on the site now occupied by the block of
Messrs. Homer Foot & Co. He had fourteen child-

104 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
ren, the eldest born in 1641, with whom and their
descendants, many families in this vicinity have been
and are connected. Like many of the early fathers,
he fell by the hands of the Indians.
Mr. Bliss responded to this sentiment as follows :
I am surprised to be called upon, as this is my first appearance in
Westfield. I was descended from a Springfield family, and, in listen
ing to the glowing eulogies of Westfield to-day, I have thought that if
my ancestors had been aware of its superior advantages they would
have emigrated in a body, in which ease I should have been born here ;
in this way I might establish a connection with Westfield. In looking
up the genealogy of the Bliss family, recently, I have ascertained that
no member of it was ever imprisoned or hung, so I must consider my
self the first scamp in the faraily ; two years ago began for me the time
that " tries men's souls," and mine was tried and condemned. I com
raend the courage of the town in continuing the celebration in the midst
of untoward circumstances ; I find some comfort in the law of compensa
tion. I have it from good authority, that, while our deluge was at its
height, Niagara river fell one hundred and sixty feet.
I hardly belong to the regular press ; I am not a member of the
press gang, but only of the flying-artiUery ; I can say, however, that
this is a most ira-^re«s-ive occasion, and I will corn-press my remarks
and close.
Nineteenth regular toast :
The State Normal School — May the growth of the School in the fu
ture, as in the past, like the recent enlargement of the building, be in
an upward direction.
Mr. Dickinson replied for the State Normal School,
in the following felicitous manner :
I suppose this festival belongs to those who can claim it by the right
of birth. Although I was born not many miles away, I can not claim
Westfield as my native town, and yet I have a feeling towards it simi
lar to that expressed by the foreigner, who said that he loved this coun
try so weU, that he had concluded to raake it his native country. I
have corae to love Westfield, first, on account of its physical beauty.
I do not think there is a town in the commonwealth in which nature has
bestowed her favors more generously and judiciously, in so far as phys
ical beauty is concerned, than in Westfield. We have here quiet walks

PROCEEDINGS AT TABLE. 105
and shades ; extended plains and sloping hUls ; and all those variations
of hUl, and valley and forest, that constitute a beautiful landscape. I
find that all who Uve here for a time, love to return after an absence,
and revisit old places, that have been to thera in forraer years the occa
sion of so rauch pleasure.
But I love the town especially on account of her educational institu
tions. Years ago, before the common school systera of the common
wealth was brought to its present state of perfection, before the day of
high schools, when there was no grading of the lower schools, with ref
erence to the high schools, there was an educational institution in this
town whose influence was felt throughout the county ; an institution
in which the whole comraunity was educated. It is the province of ed
ucation to mould the character and regulate the conduct. The West-
field Academy with that good raan, whom we all remember with as
perfect a memory, and whom we aU love with as fresh a love, as though
he had but just left us for his place in the upper world, at its head, de
serves a perpetual remembrance from this whole community, for what
it has done for the town and county. The academy has fulfilled its high
commission, and in the very place where it stood, has sprung up an in
stitution that is destined to complete that grand systera of public schools,
of which the town has reason to be proud. The normal schools of the
state are a part of her great system of public schools. The normal of
Westfield has for its object the preparation of teachers for the coramon
schools of the state.
Whatever may have been the success of this school in the past, par
don me for saying that its teachers have always performed an araount
of faithful work, that the teachers of no other school can easily exceed ;
and we now have the great satisfaction of experiencing the raost hearty
support by our friends in the town, and by our patrons abroad.
The gentleman whose address on this occasion has given us so much
satisfaction, was one of the earliest and raost effective supporters of our
normal school. We have occasion continually to feel that the school is
among its friends. Encouraged and supported, we have three times
outgrown our accommodations ; and if this encouragement and support
shall continue in the future as in the past, we wUl outgrow our ac
commodations again. So that whoever of you shall be present at our
next bi-centennial celebration, shall see a school-house in the valley,
and a boarding-house on the hill yonder, containing 250 pupils and
boarders, furnished with all the facilities and accoramodations necessary
for the most complete and comfortable preparation for the great work of
common school-teaching. 14

106 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
Twentieth regular toast :
The Westfield Academy — Though dead, it yet speaketh.
It was most fitting that Mr. William Goldthwaite,
so long connected with this institution should be
called upon to respond, which he did in most felicitous
speech, of which we regret no notes were taken.
Twenty- first regular toast :
The prosperity of Westfield — The first step in its progress was in the
path of learning. Let education follow its course and stimulate its
future. Mr. J. G. Greenough's reply was as foUows :
After alluding to the fact that he was attached to Westfield by her
educational institutions, and was afterwards adopted as one of the sons
of Westfield, Mr. Greenough proceeded to notice the elements of the
future prosperity of our town. Among these he called attention to the
advantageous position of Westfield, accessible from the sea-board by two
direct lines of raUway, and equally fortunate in its connections with a
wide territory to the west of us. He remarked that the two streams
that here hollowed out our broad alluvion from a less productive plain,
here also by their upper courses and numerous tributaries, made open
ings for roads that diverge from our vUlage as frora a natural center ;
so that the resources of a wide territory are naturaUy the resources of
Westfield. Passing from the natural advantages of the place, Mr.
G. remarked, that the elements of the future prosperity of Westfield,
were to be found in the educational institutions, rather than in her natu
ral resources. He remarked that Athens, upon her rocky site, ecUpsed
in fame and influence, all the wealth and splendor of ancient Rome,
and that the glory of New England was not so muoh her material as
her mental products.
He closed with fitting allusion to the union of feeUng and of action
which had characterized the people of Westfield in every good work,
and expressed the beUef that, what Westfield had so worthily begun,
she would nobly perfect, untU she should be, in her educational institu
tions, second to no other town in the state.
Twenty-second regular toast:
The Business Men of Westfield— Their thrift and enterprise have
produced the means by which our public improvements have been origi
nated.

PROCEEDINGS AT TABLE. 107
Mr. H. B. Smith commenced by stating the old ad
age, that any one who could earn a living in West-
field, could get rich elsewhere, and so he had con
cluded to split the difference and make up all personal
deficiences by trading chiefly with outsiders. He re
marked upon the good and great things accomplished
by our predecessors, and closed with some pertinent
remarks to the young men of business of Westfield.
Twenty -third regular toast:
The Westfield men, who are honored business men of other places.
Mr. Calvin Day of Hartford replied briefly, but to
the point.
At this point, the following letter was read from
Rev. H. Bingham of the Sandwich Islands, express
ing sympathy with us in our festal gathering :
New Haven, October 6, 1869.
William G. Bates, Esq., Westfield, Mass. — Dear Sir : We are
disappointed as to a timely conveyance to Westfield. At the very last
available hour, I forward the portrait of Mrs. Bingham, forraerly Miss
Sybil Moseley of your town. Even the express corapany will not send
it to-day. This friend of the heathen was an honor to the town that gave her
birth and education. She was a sagacious and successful teacher in
Southampton, Mass., Sharon and East Windsor, Conn., Canandaigua,
N. Y., and Honolulu, Sandwich Islands; she was a true, aff'ectionate
and faithful missionary, wife, and mother, unflinching in toilsome and
hazardous missionary pioneering, and patient in suflfering to the end.
"She hath done what she could." I trust her rest is glorious.
Oh ! that the Lord of the great harvest would send a corapetent num
ber of laborers of like spirit into his harvest ; and that all nations may
be soon led to acknowledge the supreme sovereignty of Christ, as truly
and fully as the Hawaiian people have gladly and gratefully done.
Yours truly,
H. BINGHAM.
The Rev. Hiram Bingham married Miss Sybil Mose
ley, daughter of Pliny Moseley, in 1820, and sailed

108 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
with her, with the first corps of missionaries, to the
Sandvnch Islands. After spending the greater part
of their lives in the service, they returned here, on
account of her ill health, and she has since died. He
married afterwards Miss Naomi Morse, daughter of
Jacob Morse of this town. Mr. Bingham has died
within a few months.
The toasts to the farmers of Westfield found no
response. Mr. George Stowe sung an original song, bristling
with most effective and resounding elocution, which
^elicited great applause. We give the words entire,
but the elocution we can not give :
BI-CENTENNIAL.
Tune: — " Co-ca-chk-ltjnk." I.
We are gathered 'round this table
On this Bi-Centennial day;
Each and all should now be able
Here to have their little say;
Nolle ones and Blood relation.
Not excepting Snoto and Tha^yer,
Gathered here from every station.
Fear not any FoiBler's snare.
Chorus. ^ — Cocachelunk-chelunk-chelaly,
Cocachelunk-cbelunk-chelay ;
Cocachelunk-chelunk-chelaly,
Hi! 0 ohicachelunk-chelay. n.
AU your Ahbott-sixvp may feel, sir.
Quite submissive to our fates.
Just down there we go to Kneil, sir,
And up there we go for Bates.
Years ago we made our pledges.
Kept them when was no mishap.
Here and there a Bush or Hedges,
Knight or Day we had a Knapp.
Chorus.

PROCEEDINGS AT TABLE. 109
in.
Smiths are num'rous everywhere, sir,
Here are White and Black and Brown ;
Johnson with his organs rare, sir.
Tunes his pipes in many a town:
We'U unite in Stevens' chime, sir.
We'll press Gillett' s friendly hand;
While we have our Morse on time, sir.
Isn't it time for Gilmore's band?
Chorus. IV.
We have Shepherds without Crooks, sir.
We have Farmers, Young and old,
'Tis recorded in the books, sir.
We the Champion cattle hold;
Here's one Foote, and by the Powers, sir.
Fuller measure give who oan;
No nine Taylors such as ours, sir.
Are required to make one man.
Chorus. V.
Silver street had its own Stiles, sir.
Bulls once dwelt where now grows Rice;
Farther on, within two miles, sir,
Horton' s Miller toU'd the price;
Where's the family of Lord, sir?
Eoyal names don't seem to stay.
One exception, — 'pon my word, sir.
We have Jo-King here to-day.
Chokus. VI.
'Mongst the Boise there was a Ladd, sir.
We this day have heard his voice;
All about the Field are glad, sir,
Moore than Littie we rejoice;
Hours of Bliss, ot joy and pleasure.
We upon this Green have pass'd.
Grant we may those mem'ries treasure,
While the " Sands of life " shaU last.
Chorus. vn.
Deeply we regret, this day, sir.
That the flood-fiend, far and near,

110 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
Has kept scores of friends away, sir.
We'd rejoice to welcome here.
By the flood, if this Hull town, sir.
Post and Root had been laid bare, —
All the Gates and Barrs thrown down, sir,
We At-water would not swear.
Chorus. VIII.
Waters Rising have subsided.
We will Lay aside our fears,
Aud by friends this day be guided,
TiU the " Dewey eve '" appears.
Now I've had my Uttle say, sir,
I have had my little blow.
Now for Westfield I do pray, sir,
Three good cheers on her he-Slow,
Chorus.
Westfield, Mass., October, 1869.
The following verses were composed for the occa
sion, by Mrs. J. M. Loomis:
BI-CENTENNIAL.
We meet, a landmark here to place.
O'er records old to linger.
And snatch the grace of anoient race.
From Time's corroding finger.
To take the pilgrim staff of friends.
Our hands the need supplying;
Love's service tends to blessed ends.
Who gives nor takes denying.
To roam the vales and cUmb the steep.
And wander on together.
Love's tryst to keep till shadows creep.
And hands unclasp forever.
The dear old mother, missing each
Lost step, with precious savor
Bids flowers teach in subtle speech.
Of her unending favor.
Thus breath of rose recalls the grace
Of one, so well that sleepeth ;

PROCEEDINGS AT TABLE. Ill
And UUes trace the tender face.
For which a mother weepeth.
We banish every care to-day.
All thoughts but true and tender ;
The mystic ray that lights our way.
No poet speech can render.
Through Memory's land, with footsteps fleet.
Our hearts within us burning;
What perfumes sweet where press our feet 1
No sense but ours discerning.
Ye Olden Tyme ! with forehead bare.
We give thee reverent greeting !
Thy haunted air holds visions rare.
From fond souls never fleeting.
Old winding paths of other times.
With June's wild roses wasting
Where fragrant vines distill their wines
To finer sense than tasting.
Where busy *mart, sweet shrubs and grass
As in the old time morning.
Trip lad and lass through dewy pass ;
To drive the cows at dawning !
For grass-grown way and simple heart.
Rude altars served for pleading;
Nor asked a part in piles of art.
Only God's service heeding.
This from a dame, whose honored lips
Lend words suoh grace and sweetness.
Though story heard of song of bird,
WiU lack the song's completeness.
Two hundred years ! 'tis noontide light
In hoary old world's story;
When mailed knight, with armor dight.
Went forth in quest of glory :
Antique to us, and humbly taught;
Dim down time's vista beaming.
The simple thought, so quaintly wrought.
In lettered stones is gleaming.
*The villagers formerly used the " Green " as a cow pasture.

112 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
Aye ! humbly taught, for ruthless deeds
Claim royal minster's splendor;
For kingly deeds how few the meeds
Most meet to kings to render.
The starry heavens for every one.
Peasant nor prince divining;
The blessed sun his course doth run.
Nor heed for whom he's shining.
We'll walk the paths of sweet content.
Where happy birds are singing ;
None e'er lament, who pitch their tent.
Where peace's soft bells are ringing.
This simple pilgrim shrine we set;
Unwritten by the sages,
Where storms shall fret and soft dews wet,
A way-mark for the ages.
Westfield, Oct. 6, 1869.
The following was contributed by Miss Sara M.
Kneil : Lo ! glad we come with happy hearts
That loud thanksgiving raise.
To greet the past in days that are.
And walk in ancient ways.
We bid our feet in reverence pause.
Lest treading holy ground;
We listen for the song and speech
That bear the olden sound.
We look once more on faces dear.
We clasp again firm hands.
And pledge anew the friendship, love
Makes strong, with golden bands.
One home to-day, — one mother ours ;
While all the arches ring,
The children of her ardent love
, United praises sing.
Though distant far, and absent long.
Our hearta are still as one ;
The truer love, the stronger faith.
Proclaim a loyal son.

PROCEEDINGS AT TABLE. 113
As in the sunshine of to-day.
The centuries' path we trace.
We mark how end and progress show
The Lord's abundant grace.
Through all our hearts with one accord,
A common gladness runs.
That brave and wise the fathers were.
And we are called their sons.
Our heritage so large and fair —
Its wealth is never told.
It lies not in our goodly lands.
Nor yet in counted gold.
In memories of the bravest Uves,
In deeds of noblest men.
In teachings of the true and just
To-day renewed again.
We widely boast of honored store.
And ask for naught beside, —
The most of wealth, the best of good,
Are ne'er to us denied.
May He who loves his children weU,
Grant now the help they crave.
That, still untarnished, they transmit
The gift their fathers gave.
The centuries meet! — may aU the good
And honor two have known,
Be welcome gifts to greet the third.
And her with blessings crown.
O bygone days I O days to come !
May yet your paths be one.
And children's children crown the. work
The fathers' hands begun.
Westfield, Sept. 29, 1869.
The following sentiment was volunteered by a wor
thy son of Westfield, residing in the city of New
York, who was unable to be present, William L. At-
15

114 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
water, Esq., cashier at A. T. Stewart's. A letter from
him will be found in the appendix.
By an Emigrant son of Westfield, and an active
member of a new York " Can't-get-away Club."
GOOD HIGHWAYS.
They have been declared by high and almost universal authority to
be the index of the highest civUization. It follows that those, who
make good roads and keep roads good, are the most civilized of men,
as well as benefactors to the world of travelers. It is therefore emi
nently proper to commemorate one, who for many years was Westfield's
raost efficient Commissioner of Highways, giving a large part of his
time and counsel as a voluntary service. He had a settled prejudice
against stones, large or sraaU, obstructing or throwing discomforts in the
pathway of Ufe. I offer the memory of Elijah Bates.
FIRE-WORKS.
The display of fire-works under the direction of the
Executive Committee, in the evening, on Moseley 's
Park on Main street, was finer than is often seen out
side the limits of a large city, and certainly surpassed
anything ever witnessed in this vicinity. The whole
affair was a decided success in spite of the water-
soaked land, and the tardy arrival of railroad trains.
Much of the success however, was due to the interest
taken, and the exertions made in its behalf by Mr.
A. T. Rand, formerly of this town. The people who
densely thronged the streets leading to the place of
exhibition, were courteous and kind ; and notwith
standing the thick darkness which brooded over us,
in the absence of the usual gas-lights, unfortunately
extinguished by the freshet, the good nature and pleas
ant humor of the crowd, who were jostling each other
to find standing room, was very noticeable and enjoy
able ; and if disaster and disappointment bring such
results, we shall welcome them hereafter.

PROCEEDINGS AT TABLE. 115
The exhibition opened with the burning of colored
lights, which revealed the large pieces prepared for
the delight of the multitude. Silent and still they
stood, like spectres awaiting the magic touch which
should wake them to life. Then followed a fine dis
play of rockets, Roman candles, mines, etc.
The first large piece was the " Harp of Iris," dis
played in changing colors, after which came shell fired
from a brass mortar. These burst in the air with a
heavy explosion, scattering stars of every color. Af
ter more rockets, fired singly and in groups, also Ro
man candles, colored lights, etc., came "a moving star,"
which at first fixed, soon commenced revolving with
increased velocity till it exhausted itself After an
other plentiful bombardment of the sky, by rockets,
Roman candles, etc., the "Yankee Windmill" ap
peared, reminding one of the mills seen on the sea
shore for pumping water. This was followed by
"Spider Legs," a very comical contrivance, which
reached its feet and legs ever forward in its revolu
tions. At about this time the cry of fire was raised, and
the surging of the multitude seeming to those em
ployed in exhibiting the works, to be in the direction
of the burning house, they brought the exhibition to
a close by firing the "grand architectural piece," some
seventy-five feet in length, and thirty feet in height.
This consisted of a base almost ten feet in height, on
either side of which reclined the representatives of
Forest and Civilization. The latter with whip in hand,
having a local significance. On the pedestal the word
" Woronoco," was brilliantly set forth, Above these
principal figures were — 1669 — 1869; above that, in
arch, the word "Westfield," thirty feet in length, sup-

116 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
ported by a full battery of Roman candles. On either
side of the central piece were columns surmounted
by coronets, discharging stars and colored lights.
This piece as seen before the exhibition, by the col
ored lights, was really very fine, but in the grand
finale exceeded even the anticipations of the most ex
pectant beholders.
SOCIAL PARTY AT THE HOUSE OF WILLIAM G. BATES.
Invitations were extended to the guests of the town
to assemble at the dwelling-house of Mr. Bates, on the
evening of the 6th ; and preparations were made for
their reception. A large concourse of people went
to the brow of the hill on Main street, to witness the
fire-works, — an exhibition which others failed to Avit
ness, on account of the fatigues of the day. It was
expected that there would have been a general at
tendance at Mr. Bates' ; but, after the close of the
pyrotechnic display, the fire alarm was given, and
the buildings of Mr. W. C. Holcomb, at the foot of
Pine hill, in Court street, were found to be in flames.
The vivid brightness of the illumination called away
a large portion of the people to the scene of the dis
aster ; and when the conflagration was subdued, the
greater part of them returned to the houses of their
kindred. As it was, quite a, pleasant and agreeable
company assembled, enjoying the pleasures of social
converse, and partaking of the hospitalities which
were provided. Every one seemed to enjoy td the
full, the whole of the exercises, and to rejoice in the
happy thought, which had inspired the convocation.
The storm, the disarrangement of the plans, the re
tardation of the assembling of old citizens, the keep
ing back of so many old friends, whom we, and our

PROCEEDINGS AT TABLE. 117
guests alike, desired to meet and welcome, was some
thing of a damper upon the exultation of the party ;
but, in the meeting itself, of so many old and valued
friends, so long separated, and whom many never ex
pected to meet again ; the meeting of them here, —
AT HOME ! the inspiring thought, which had been
called forth by the performances, and by the perva
ding spirit of the occasion, seemed to render the day
one, almost, of unalloyed happiness ; and it was the
remark of more than one of the guests, who had trav
eled many hundreds of miles to greet his kindred,
that he should go back to his own happy home with
the remembrance of having passed one of the happi
est days of his life.
Thus terminated the sixth day of October, A. D.
1869, a day long to be remembered by thousands of
our present and former citizens. For ourselves, we
felt proud of our town. We had felt gratified be
fore, at the unanimity of our citizens in inaugurating
and carrjdng forward the celebration ; but we felt a
new enthusiasm, when we found what a feeling of
gratified enjoyment had been inspired by its liberal
ity, in the hearts of so many of its returned sons and
daughters, RECEPTION AT CAPTAIN LUCIUS F. THAYER'S.
A fitting and most pleasant feature of the bi-cen
tennial celebration was the social gathering at the
residence of Lucius F. Thayer, Esq., on SUvfer street,
Thursday evening, the 7th inst. The railway trains
of that morning and during the day brought many
persons who were not able to be present at the fes
tivities of the preceding day, owing to the interrup
tion of travel caused by the storm and flood, and Mr.

118 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
Thayer, true to a prompt, generous and wide awake
nature, decided to open his capacious mansion and
invite all such, and as many others as chose, to come
to a social re-union. The result was one of the most
agreeable gatherings of the occasion. Old friends
and acquaintances were happy in reviving the sweet
memories of youthful days. The school boys and
girls of days long past, whose locks were silvered over,
whose forms were bent and whose steps were not as
elastic as of yore, then lived their childhood days over
again, and seemed to warm with youthful fire and
animation as the exploits of the past came up in re
view. Fire-works which had not been used the pre
vious evening, owing to the alarm of fire, were dis
played on the lawn in front of the house. Roman
candles, sky rockets, shooting and revolving stars,
wheels, etc., etc., contributed to the general joy, and
made the hours short and felicitous.
Among the hundreds present, it may be invidious
to mention the names of any, as at best we can give
but, few. Yet we recall, with pleasure, the radiant
faces of Joseph W. and Reuben King, Esqs., of Illi
nois, who fill honorable and influential positions in
their adopted State, representing as they do, one of
the most ancient families of the town ; of the stately
and thoughtful Frederick Sacket, Esq., of Chicago,
who, starting in life as a humble mechanic has carved
out for himself a position at the bar in that city which
can be filled only by talents of the highest order ; of
the genial and sunny Henry W. Bates, Esq., of New
York, with wife and sister, Mrs. Warner, children of
Elijah Bates of fragrant and precious memory; of
Rev. Dr. S. Ely, of Roslyn, L. I., of fine physique and
cultured mind who gave us a neat and chaste speech

PROCEEDINGS AT TABLE. 119
at the dinner table ; of D. B. Mosely, Esq., the ac
complished editor, and his brother, the publisher of
the Religious Herald, Hartford, Conn. ; of Rev. John
Cadwell with a life of successful toil as a Christian
minister ; and of E. M. West, Esq., a wealthy banker
of Illinois, who had allied himself to the "ancient
and honorable" Atwater family by marriage and was
here to represent it as well as himself. And so we
might go on, but time and space forbid. They came
and they have gone, but the memories of the occasion
still linger in refreshing sweetness.

Appendix

INCORPORATION OF WESTFIELD— MAY 28, 1669.
Springfeild, Att a Towne Meeting fifeb. 2d, 1 668. Uppon ye Motion
of ye Inhabitants at Worronoco This Town being willing to prraote &
further their desire of being a Township of Themselves, (amongst other
graunts to them did &c) Doe leave the Inhabitants there to theraselves
to raannage their own raatters, or as the Honnord Genie Corte shall
further Order : And we hope the Corte will see cause to Order them to
be a Township & that they through the favor of God may grow up into
a comfortable society, & bee a happy Neighbourhood to Us & Our
flfreinds & Theires.
This is a true Coppy of the Town Ordr vizt., soe much of it as is
concerning the releasing of Woronoco from Springfeild.
Taken out of ye Town Records
By mee Elizur Holyoke Recorder.
(B. 112, P. 193.)

There being a motion made to this Court in ye behalfe of ye Inhab
itants at Woronoake belonging to Springfeild, That they may be a
Towneship of yraselves : Springfeild being willing theretoe as appeares
by Coppy of an order of that Towne under their Recorders hand
heretoe anexed. Leaving Woronoak to yraselves & referring ym to
this Court : This Court (therefore) Doth hereby Grant them to be a
Towneship, & allows them all Priveledges according as other Townes
have in this CoUony, And that ye Sd Towne be called Westfeild :
The magists have past this their brethren the Deputys hereto
consenting. 28 May 1669. Edward Rawson Secty.
Consented to by the Deputyes, William Torrbt Cleric.
(B. 112, P. 193.) 16

122 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
" THE BOUNDS OF WESTFEILD."
Springfeild ; Aprill 14th 1670.
Wee whose naraes are here subscribed being a Comittee appoynted
by the Town of Springfeild for ye laying out of the quantity of Six
miles Square graunted to Westfeild by the Honnord Genii Corte have
attended the said Work and therefore doe hereby declare how Their
said quantity of land shall lye, that is to say the said quantity of land
is laid out to them five raile broad at ye Northerly end thereof extend
ing from a pine tree raarked at ye East Mountayne to a white oake
marked at ye West Mountayne, & it runneth in length Southerly Nine
Mile that is to say frora the said Pine tree holding the course of the
South South West poynt uppon ye Meridian corapass : And at the
Southerly end of their Nine Mile their limitts are ffbure miles broad
Westward : And the Ledge of Mountaynes is to be the bounds between
Springfeild & Westfeild : wthin this tract of land their is conteyned the
quantity of about three Square miles of land granted before by Spring
feild to Westfeild, & about the quantity of Two square miles in reference
to the farmes of the Worthy Major Atherton deceased & Capt. Clapp.
Bmzur Holyoke George Coulton
Samubll Marshfeild Rowland Thomas.

The Deputyes approve of this returne sd Honor'd magists Consent
ing hereto. William Toerey Cleric.
The Magists Consent hereto. Edw. Rawson Secrety.
[Massachusetts Archives, vol. 112, page 201.]
oomiitonwealth of massachusetts,
Secretary's Department, ")
Boston, Aug. 28, 1869. ]"
A true copy, Oliver Warner,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

EXTRACTS FROM THE WESTFIELD RECORDS BETWEEN
1658 AND 1669, INCLUSIVE.
The extracts and dUapidated leaves show the following grants of land,
and the names of the following persons, as inhabitants, at the dates
mentioned :
1658, Deceraber 17— A grant to "Ensigne Tho. Cooper" on the
north side of Woronoco River.

APPENDIX. 123
1660, March 13— A grant to Dea. Sara. Chapman, "20 or 30 acres"
on the east side " of the second brook, that is this side of Tho. Coop
er's," running from the river to the hill.
1661, February 19 — A grant to Capt. Pynchon, Robt. Ashley and
Geo. Colton, the forfeited land of Jona. and John Gilbert, of the
"low lands between the river and the hills."
1667, January 9 — Grants confirmed to Geo. Phelps, Isaac Phelps,
Capt. Cooke, Mr. Cornish, Moses Cook, Thos. Dewey, Thos. Noble,
David Ashley, Mr. John Holyoke, John Osborne. At the same time,
Capt. Cooke, Thos. Dewey, John Williams, John Sacket, John Pon
der, David Ashley and Mr. Cornish were appointed to view and appor
tion the fencing, &c.
1667, March 2— Thos. Noble, David Ashley and John Root pe
titioned for an addition of two rods in width, each, to their house-
lots west of "Indian fort."
On petition of Geo. Fyler, a house-lot of 6 acres was granted him
"next to John Root's, or next but one," and an addition of 2 rods in
breadth, on that side of the river by the Indian fort. Also 5 acres at
Fort meadow. "The 35 acres of land on the north side of Woronoco
River "above the cellars," still undisposed of, next to Geo. Pyler's for
mer grant, it is given to Walter Lee, Ambrose Fowler, Geo, Saxton,
Jona. Alvord."
1667, March 12 — The inhabitants, living "at the cellars," request
ing it, Geo. Phelps and John Williams were appointed to lay out
a highway across "the wett meadow under the hiU," "to the pyne
playnes." John Bancroft was granted 30 acres, and a house-lot, on the Fort-
side. Dr. Davis speaks of a design to call tbe town " Streamfield," on
account of the number of its streams and rivers. The Record of 1 1
August, 1668, speaks of a meeting at "Streamfield;" and it was
1. " Voted unanimously that we will looke out for a minister to carry
on the worke of God in this place.
2. It is voted by all the inhabitants and planters present that they will
allow to a rainister the sum of forty pounds for the first yeare.
3. It is voted that the said sum be raysed for the present (until the
company are settled here together and so long as they shall agree) vpon
the lands.
4. It is voted that wee looke at our selves as free and at liberty to
seeke out according as God shall guide vs for a Minister to carry on
the worke of Christ here."

124 , WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
1668, August 27— A grant was made to " Jedidiah Dewey 15 or 16
acres of land viz the remaynder of Weller lott, & a horae lott."
Also to Israel Dewey 8 acres on the Fort side.
1868, Jan. 21— It was voted, "that Mr. Fiske's continuance in the
ministry be earnestly desired."
"Also that wee will & doe ingage suitable mayntainance according
as God shall inable us for the future & for the present what is already
ingaged viz 40. £ for the 1st. yeare." They also voted "to disburse
40 £ for buUding a house for the minister, & that the meeting-house
be set on the Fort-side."
1668, March 18— A division of the territory was raade into three
parts, and lots were cast for it. In the first division, the lands were
allotted as foUows: 1. Thoraas Gunn; 2. David Ashley; 3. John
Ponder; 4. Sergeant Stebbins; 5. Mr. Joseph Whiting; 6. Wm.
Brookes (aUas Israel Dewey) ; 7. Thoraas Bancroft ; 8. Hugh Dudley ;
9. Isaac Phelps; 10. George Phelps; 11. Thomas Rootes; 13.
Thomas Noble.
There were grants also made to other persons in 1668 and 1669,
viz. : to John Sacket, John Ingersoll, Fyler, Capt. Cooke, Josiah
Dewey, John Osborne, (the latter was near his house), Mr. Fiske and
Thomas Handchitt.
A grant of Sackett's creek was also made to Mr. Whiting and Da
vid Ashley to set a mill on to grind corn, and the land about it for a
pasture ; and for their encouragement 100 acres for thera to choose not
less than three railes frora the meeting-house.
I have been thus particular in making these extracts, as they tend to
estabUsh the opinion, stated in the address, on page 49, in reference to
the progress of the settlement here, at the time of the incorporation of
the town. It thus appears that grants were made to 34 persons, and
all of them but three, are elsewhere named in the records, as living
here, or having other permanent establishments.
It seems, also, that, in January, 1667, a coraraittee of seven persons
was appointed to view and apportion the fencing, &c. We should con
sider this, as " a committee of the whole," if the people of Woronoco
were not more nuraerous, than is stated by Dr. Davis and Dr. Holland.

REMONSTRANCE OF WESTFIELD AGAINST ORDER TO
ABANDON THE SETTLEMENT— APRIL 3, 1676.
The following letter is the one referred to in the address, from the
committee of the town of Westfield, in reply to tho intimation or "the

APPENDIX. 125
orders in council " to remove from town, and concentrate the popula-
lation of the vicinity, at Springfield. The copy is accurately made by
Mr. -Pulsifer, of the Secretary's ofi5ce.
" WestfeUd letter
3 ApriU Rec'd
28 ApriU '76 "
Honrd Councill : We Presume a Seoond time to trouble ye Wor
ships with a few lines, flFor having cast orselves, upon ye Honored Coun-
sells concerning or abiding here, or removing hence & for that End
having faithfully represented our State unto you we were in Expecta
tion of hearing yr advice. But at last perceiving yr thoughts by ye
Order you gave unto Maj. Generall Savage the woh in pt we have at
tended upon, viz., to gather op ye raindes of or town respecting or
reraoove where we raade such an offer as this to any that should come to
vs, that we would deny orselves to accomodate between twenty &
thirty families of or Present tillage land if so many would come to
vs & that during ye continuance of ye troubles : ye which in a town
meeting was judged by all that we could do ; But when or Com-
mitee, came to Consult with or Neighbour towns, although singly,
& apart it was generally thought strange that Springfield should be
judged a better, & more Convenient place for ffbrtification than West-
field, they rather was silent, or moving for or remove to Springfield.
the woh was & is altogether against or inhabitants, insomuch that
there is not a man among vs hath any ye least inclination to remove
that way, & in that there is an intimation of such a thing in yr Honrd
Order to ye Generall, as if Springfield &c : was fittest for ffortification,
with great respect vnto ye Information we cannot but take ye boldness
as to intimate ye grounds of or thoughts to ye Contrary, as, 1. Its
Situation lying on both sides of ye great River Connecticut, whose
East Side is voyd of habitations being but a very few left, & those a
great distance asunder those on ye West side being scattered above a
mile up & down some of which are hid with brambles, & as for its til-
lidge ground ye raost being a great distance frora ye town & not cleare
from brush in some places of it & to it, in so much as an indifferent
person cannot but judge (as we suppose) yt ye Danger is double in
raannaging ffield imploym'nt : to what ors is. 2. Its Preparation, It is
a Place (with griefe of heart be it spoken) most of ye East side in
ashes, vnbuilt & vnfortified vnlese some few houses. 3. Its Provi-
dentiall Dispensation. It hath been sorely under ye blasting hand of
God, So that it hath but in a lower degree than ordinary answered ye
labour of ye Husbandman, & sometimes his labour on it is wholely cast

126 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
away, now these thoughts are very discouraging vnto all thoughts of
or removall thither, for to remove frora Habitations to none, from ffbr-
tifications to none, from a Compact and plain place to scatter'd, from a
place of lesse danger in ye ffield to ye more, from a place under ye or
dinary Blessing vpon ovr Labours to one vsually blasted, seems to vs
such a strange thing that we finde not a man amongst vs inclining there
to, wherefore being by ye Honord Councill at Hartford, vpon address
for strength from them, yt wth their own necessities could not dis-
pence with, adviced not to desert ye place as yet, we are determined
to draw in or out Garrison houses, and to Contract or ffortification
into ye Compass of about 70 rods long, ye wich or thoughts are
to ffortifie strongly and to keep with five flankers, and for this end ovr
earnest suit is that you would allow vs, if, it may bee a garrison of
thirty souldiers, we are not without hope of gaining some Corn for our
families as yet. But if you cannot allow any, then or present thoughts
are that if we cannot have a safe Convoy from ye town to some place
downward, it is judged that we had better abide here in or ffbrtifica
tion thus strengthened, and that although we have no help from abroad,
with respect to or own safety than to go to Springfield. It grieves
vs that we should object so rauch against Springfield for ye WorshipfuU
Maj'r Pynohon's sake. But we judge there is a better way for his safety
than this, & although we would do much for his sake, yet we cannot
adventure on this ground into suoh great hazzard as appears. Here
are some young men with vs its said would inlist themselves in Coun
try service to garrison if they could be admitted, whora necessity will
force from vs if it cannot be.
Ffurthermore, we are at ye Present altogether incapacitated for any
removall, by reason of ye awfuU hand of God upon us in Personall
visitations, for here came a souldier sick of ye Bloody flius, and dying
araongst vs in Capt. Cook's family, hath infected ye ifamily therewith
in somuch that he hath lost a son of it, his Wife Ues at ye point of
Death his youngest son is very weak of it, and he him selfe is almost
brought to his bed by it, & there is another ffamily in his house hath it.
We hope yr Worships wUl Pardon or teadiousness, & give or arguments
a Patient hearing for surely it is against vs to say as we do, if great dan
ger did not stare us in ye fface. The Good Lord Sanctifie, and deliver
vs. We reraain Yr Servants, & Suppliants
in the name of the Towne. Isaac Phelps,
David Asult,
Westfield, 3, 2m. 1676, Josiah Dewey.

APPENDIX. 127
We had a garrison all winter of about 30 souldiers, but we have no
incouragment of them, & raany are withdrawn & all of them Since
yir Capt, is returned shew hard to get off & by one after one they
are come almost to twenty, & we cannot have any promise, nor
incouragemnt of any.

PETITION FOR A GRANT OF THE NEW ADDITION, 6,000
ACRES. JANUARY 12, 1736.
To His ExceUency Jonathan Belcher, Esq., Capt. Generall and
Governor within & over his Majestie'e Province of the Massachusetts
Bay in New England, the Honorable the Council, & the B[onorable the
House of Representatives in Generall Court Assembled.
The Humble Petition of Thoraas Ingersole, Representative of the
Town of of Westfield, Sheweth :
That he is directed by his principalis the Town of Westfield, to Shew
to your Excellency and Honorrs, that the Bounds of their Town
ship West & North-westerly, as they now Stand, are to the Top or
ridge of the raountain which is verry uncertain In that in sorae places
the Top or Ridge Can't be known. In some other places the Ridge
or Top Is a Mile West of the Ridge In other places and therefore verry
Crooked and uncertain. Now May it please your Excellency and
Honours the Case so Stands that the Bounds of the said Town of
Westfield may be made Oertain By Granting to the Proprietors of said
Town the Land Between said Bounds and the Township granted to
the proprietors of the Town of Sufiield and the land laid out to the
Heirs of James Taylor Esq deceased the Land contained Between
which Bounds is about six Thousand acres and is in some places a mile
and Half wide and in some places but a few Rods and then your Pe
titioners prays they raay Run a Line from the South West Corner of
Northampton town bounds to the Nor East Corner of SufiSeld proprie
tors bounds then going a Long that Township Round the Land laid out
to said Taylor's heirs to the South East Corner bounds and then run
ning a Parralel line with the South Une of sd proprietors Township
East 22 D : G. south to the said Township of Westfield the Lands
Contained within wich is very broken Land fit for Nothing else but
Herbage now your Petitioners has these reason to offer to enduce this
Honble Court to grant sd Land.
And 1 ye Inhabitants of said Town are settled on Intervel Meadows
and there is alraost no feeding Land In said Township for the Cattle
and sheep to feed on.

128 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
21y the people of said Town have alwayes yed Leved fronteers in the
West part of this Province and suffered much by the Indian Wars,
31y It wUl Render the Bounds of the said Town Certain, and preju
dice no Town or person.
4thly the Petitioners Will Engage that the Grantee shall make and
maintain for Ever a Good Cart Way where the Road now runs or near
that To the said Township Granted of the proprieters of SuflSeld which
will be a Considerable benefitt to the publick there being three Towns
Westward now Setled or Setling and four raore Lately Granted west
ward to be Setled In a Short Space which Rode is the publick and
Comraon post Rode always before- Used to Albany And your Pettition
Shall as In Duty Bound Eaver pray. Thomas Ikgersole.
In the House of Representatives, July 3d, 1736. Read and
Ordered that the prayer of the petition be granted and the Lands therein
delineated and described be and hereby are accordingly given and granted
to the proprietors of the said town of Westfield their heirs & assigns
respectively provided the Grantees do forthwith or as soon as may be
open and Constantly keep in repair hereafter a good & safe Cart way
over the granted premises in the road that leads from Westfield to
Housatonnoc commonly called the Albany Road provided also this
Grant does not prejudice the grants latety raade and laid out to the
Heirs of the late Treasurer Mr James Taylor deceased at the pond
called ten miles pond, the said Grantees concluding not to hold the
same, but it is to be esteemed and looked upon as among the upper
Housatonnoc Equivalent; and also that part of the Grant of seven
hundred acres of Land to the heirs of the late Reverend Mr John
WUliams of Deerfield deceased which may or does fall within the lines
of the prayed for premises according to the plat lately passed and con
firmed by this Court; and also that this grant does not exceed the
quantity of six thousand acres of Land exclusive of the said provisos
and does not interfere with any or former Grant. C Add-Provided
also That the Grantees do, as soon as may be, lay out two hundred
Acres of the granted premises for the present minister of the said
Town his heirs and assigns, two hundred acres for the ministry and one
hundred acres for the school forever and return a Plat of the Prem
ises and the Sequestrations before mentioned, to this Court within twelve
months for confirmation.
Sent up for Concurrence. J. Quincy, Speaker,

APPENDIX.

129

In CouncU January 12, 1736.
Read and Concurred with the amendment at C.
Sent down for Concurrence. J. Willard.
In the House of Representatives, January 12, 1736.
Read and Concurred. J. Quincy, Speaker,
15. Consented to. J. Belcher.
commonwealth of MASSACHUSETTS.
Secretary's Department, )
Boston, September 25, 1869. )
A true copy from Book of " Ancient Plans, Grants, &c.," vol. 3,
page 99.
Attest, Oliver Warner, Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Plat returned and accepted by the General Court June 10, 1737,
5,879 acres.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF

OUTER-COMMONS, JULY 10

1731-2.

Householders.

Acres.

Houseliolders.

Acres.

John Phelps 

285-

- David Dewey 

. 69

Job Moadsley, ....

. 190

--Charles Dewey, . .

. 69

David Ashley, Jr., . .

. 230 .

-Isaac Dewey, .

. 49

Dea. Shepard, ....

. 375

Ensign Kellogg's heirs, .

. 185

Jona. Shepard, . . .

. 29

-Joseph Sacket, . . .

. 91

John Shepard, Jr., . .

. 38

Samuel Bush's heirs, . .

.-145

Joseph Dewey, . . .

. 109

Thomas Gunn, . .

. 58

David Noble, ....

. 38

-Matthew Noble, . .

. 125

James Noble, ....

. 38-

-Joseph Root, . ' . .

. 206

Jed. Dewey's heirs, . .

. 122

Samuel Lee, . . .

. 89

Nehemi Loomas, . . .

. 187

Mark Warner's wife, .

. 40

Benj. Loomas 

. 15

Joshuah Root's heirs, .

. 159

Nathaniel Bancroft, . .

. 163

James Saxton, . .

. . 149

John Ponder 

., 55

Ebenezer King, . .

. . 89

Capt. Ashley, ....

. 515

Widow Mary King's heir

3, . 49

Deliverance Church's heirs.

. 48

EUas WeUer, . . .

. 219

David King, ....

. 72

Abiah Williams, .

. , 30

John Bancroft,

. 215

Nathaniel Williams, .

. . 199

John Gunn, ....

• ^65

Heirs of Nathaniel WiUi:

iras, 99

Jonathan Ashley, . . .

. 413-

"John Sacket, Sen., .

. . 324

130

WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.

Householders.
- John Root, .
' Moses Root,
•-Benony Sacket,
Thoraas Ashley,
Rev. Mr. Bull,
David Moadsley,
- Samuel Root, .
Consider Moadsley,
Aaron Gunn, .
Daniel Gunn, .
Stephen Kellogg,
. James Dewey,
John Fowler, Jr.,
Abraham Fowler,
Jacob Fowler, .
Isaac Fowler, .
John Lee, .
John King's heirs,
Thomas Ponder,
Samuel Loomas,
John Moadsley,
Thomas Handchet
' WiUiam Sacket, .
' Samuel Sacket,
WiUiara Loomas,
Dea. Ashley, .
Isaac Phelps, .
' Aaron Phelps, .
- Ebenezer Bush,*
Samuel Fowler, Jr,
Samuel Handchet,
Nathaniel Phelps,
Jonathan Fowler, .
January 28, 1733-
in the inner-commons,
cepting what land is
which are as followeth
Householders.
Rev. Mr. BuU, .
Matthew Noble, .

Acres. Householders. Acres
, 187 '-Deacon Noble,  200
, 144 'Thomas Noble,  79
. 81 Edward Martindale, ... 36
, 173 Thoraas Pixley's heirs, . . 89
. 36 Samuel Noble,  76
. 399^ Thomas Dewey  125
139 Daniel Bagg,  174
. 324 Daniel Bagg, Jr., ... 84
298 Sargeant Luke Noble, . .155
163 -Mark Noble,  199
. 298 Benjamin Sexton, .... 62
, 149 Heirs of Eben Pixley, . . 50
, 190 Thomas Ingersol, . . . .135
. 55 .^ James Ashley, .... 163
, 40 - Luke Noble, Jr., .... 98
. 99 ' Captain Dewey, . . . .174
. 187 - Abijah Dewey, .... 69
. 54 Haines Kinsley, .... 265
. 64 Abel CadwiU  30
. 159 Nathaniel Lee, .... 49
. 384 Samuel Fowler, Jr  299
. 99 Daniel Old, . ... 10
199 Sarauel KeUogg  40
. 80 . Isaac Stiels  30
. 125 -Ephraim Stiels  20
. 287 Nathaniel Ponder, ... 60
. 89 Samuel Bush, Sr  60
. 49 Ransford Old  20
. 199 ., Israel Dewey's heirs, ... 98
. 173 Joseph Taylor,  98
. 182 Jonathan Phelps  98
. .37 Samuel Old,  12
. 199 Eldad Taylor,  265
4. It was voted " to divide the rest of the land
which is not disposed of in said scheerae," ex-
;iven to Sundavy persons by way of Charraty,

Acres. Householders. Acres.
. 10 PhiUips Freeman  10
. 10 Joseph Egliston, . . , . 10

APPENDIX.

131

Householders.
John Hains,
Ephraim Stiels,
Isaac StUes,
Hanford Old, .
Daniel Old,
Elisha Old, .
Nathaniel Lee,
Nathaniel Lee, Jr.,
Daniel Granger, .
Jonah Stiels, .

Sen.,

Acres. Householders.
. 20 Nathaniel Egliston, Jr.,
. 10 John Root, Jr., . .
. 10 Charles Cootses' heirs,
10 Thomas Gunn, .
. 10 Aron Phelps, .
. 10 Daniel Noble, .
. 20 Jonathan Phelps,
10 Thomas Ponder,
10 Thomas Handchit,
. 5

At the same meeting, January 28, 1733-4, on a report of
mittee, the inner-commons were allotted at the rate of " 2-acres
to one £ real estate, and the List is as followeth : "
Housefiolders.
Job Moadsley,
Lieut. Phelps,

David Ashley, Jr.,
Noah Ashley, . .
John Shepard, Jr.,
Joseph Dewey,
Jude Dewey's heirs,
John Pondor, .
Nehemiah Loomas,
Nathaniel Bancroft,
Benjamin Loomis,
Deacon Shepard,
Captain Ashley,
Widow Church,
John Gunn,
John Bancroft,
Lieut. Ashley, .
John Root, Sen.,
David King, .
Steephon Nash,
Thoraas Ashley,
Ensine Moadsley,
Sarauel Root, .
Lieut. Moadsley,
Aaron Gunn, .
Thomas Gunn, .

Acres. Householders.
58 Samuel Loomis,
57 Thomas Pondor,
40 John Lee, .
15 Isaac Fowler, .
10 Aron Phelps, .
34 Sarauel Fowler, 2d
. 12 Daniel Old, . .
12 Nathaniel Lee, .
43 Jonathan Phelps,
. 33 Jonathan Shephard
03 Joshua Loomas,
68 Samuel Kellogg,
. 100 Isaac Stiels,
12 Ephraim Stiels,
55 Nathaniel Pondor;
, 43 William Loomas,
. 83 Benoni Sacket,
37 Edward Martindale
12 Adijah Dewey,
05 Noah Pixley, .
. 35 Thomas Dewey,
, 90 Daniel Bagg,
29 Daniel Bagg, Jr.,
. 68 Ministree Land,
. 62 Daniel Noble, .
05 Sargeant Luke Noble,

Acres. 10 101015 10
10 10 1010
a com-
of land
Acres.
. 38
. 09
. 26
. 21
. 14
. 74
. 04
. 10
. 14
. 15
. 10
. 30
. 10
. 02
. 20
. 40
. 07
. 10
. 28
. 14
. 28
. 55
. 17
. 12
. 16
. 35

132

WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.

Householders.
Daniel Gunn, .
Ensine Taylor, .
Stephen Kellogg,
James Dewey, .
John Fowler, Jr.
Abrahara Fowler,
Jacob Fowler, .
Samuel Lee,
Joseph Root, .
Matthew Noble,
John Root heirs,
Sarauel Bushe's 2d, heirs,
Joseph Sacket,
Jona Fowler,
Ensine Kellogg's heirs
David Dewey, .
Samuel Handchit,
Samuel Fowler, Sen.
Nathaniel Phelps,
Ebenezer Bush,
Deacon Ashley,
Isaac Phelps, .
William Sacket,
Samuel Sacket,
Moses Root,
Thomas Handchit,
John Moadsley,

Acres. Householders.
33 Abel CadwiU, .
52 Hains Kinsley,
83 Capt. Dewey, .
31 Luke Noble, Jr.,
38 James Ashley, .
17 John Ingersol, .
11 Lieut. Ingersol,
23 Jaraes Noble, .
41 Mark Noble, .
32 Benjamin Sexton,
30 Deacon Noble, .
30 Israel Noble, .
26 Thomas Noble, .
43 Nathaniel WiUiams,
37 Sargeant Sacket,
29 John Sacket, Jr., .
. 34 Daniel Sacket, . .
. 40 Nathaniel Williams' heirs,
, 14 Abial WiUiams, .
40 Sargeant Weller, .
. 70 Eber King, . . .
. 18 James Sexton, .
. 44 James Sexton, Jr.,
. 15 Elijah Pixley, . .
. 36 Israel Dewey's heirs,
. 27 John King's heirs,
. 79 WiUiam Cark's heirs,

Acres.
. 06
. 53
. 31
. ,16
. 16
. 29
. 62
. 14
. 40
. 12
. 29
. 11
. 24
. 40
32-10 16-5 16-5
. 10
. 06
. 47
. 25
. 27
. 07
. 12
. 27
. 18
. 16

"FORTING" THE TOWN.
copy of a vote, APRIL 27, 1747.
" At a legal town meeting AprU 27, 1747, Cpt. Thos. Ingersole
" was chosen moderator for sd meeting at the same meeting it was voted
"to Choose a Coramitty to Consider what measures to take about fort-
"ing the Town, it was voted that the Commission Officers and tho
"Selectmen and Doctor Ashley shall be the Committy to see what
" measures and what houses Should be forted and to make Report to the
" town what is best to be done : att the sarae raeeting it was voted to
" pay a scout that raay be sent by the Commission officers out after the
" discovery of the enemy if the province wUl not pay thera : at the

APPENDIX. 133
"same meeting it was voted that the Select-raen should be empowered
"to provide a Schoolmaster untill the first day of April 1748. this
"meeting was voted to be continued by adjournment untill Monday
" next the 4. day of May : the town met at the tirae adjourned to and
" the Committy Reported to the town that they were determined it was
"best to make a fort Round Stephen Kelloggs house and Lieut Con-
" sider Mosleys and Doct. Ashley house and one over the Little River
"and one over the great River and two watch boxes and to be done by
"the town."
The "Doctor Ashley house," spoken of in the above vote, was situ
ated in Silver Street at the south end of Noble Street, on the site of
William Atkins' house. The building has been razed within a few
years, to make room for a modern structure. The base of the second
story projected over the top of the first story, and the walls were forti
fied against musket-balls. The fort-houses were situated in positions
convenient for the refuge of the inhabitants, in case of a hostile attack.
The old IngersoU house, now standing over Little River, is said to have
been the one which was fortified, or "forted."

PRICES OF ARTICLES AND LABOR, AS ESTABLISHED, 1777.
The prices of the several articles hereafter mentioned, stated accord
ing to an act of the General Court of the State of the Massachusetts
Bay, by the Selectmen and Committee of Correspondence of the Town
of Westfield, March 26, 1777.
Wheat, good merchantable wheat at 6s per bushel,
Rye, good and merchantable at 4s. per bushel,
Indian Corn, good and merchantable at 3s. per bushel,
Oats, good and merchantable at 2s. per bushel.
Wool, good sheep's wool and washed at 2s. 3d. per lb.,
Pork, fresh pork under 180 lbs., at S^d. per lb.,
Pork, fresh, from 180 to 280 lbs., at 4rf. per lb.,
Pork, fresh, above 280 lbs., at 'i^d,.
Pork, salt and good, at 86s. per barrel.
Beef, salt and good, at 68s. per barrel,
Beef, good stall fed beef, at id,, per lb.,
Beef, good grass fed beef, at Sd, per lb.,
Hides, green hides, at Sd, per lb.,
Calf-skins, green, at Qd, per lb..
Salt, good, at 20s. per bushel.
Rum, West India, rum, at 9s, per gallon.

£

s.

d.

0

6

0

0

4

0

0

3

0

0

2

0

0

2

3

0

0

H

0

0

4

0

0

4i

4

6

0

3

8

0

0

0

4

0

0

3

0

0

3

0

0

6

1

0

0

0

9

0

134 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAI..

Rura, West India rura by the quart, at 2s. 6c?.,
Rum, New England, at 6s. per gallon,
Rura, New England by the quart, Is. 9d.,
Sugar, good Muscovada sugar, at 70s per hundred,
Sugar, per single lb., lOaf.
Molasses, good, at 5s. id. per gallon,
Chocolate, good, at 2s. id. per lb.,
Cheese, good, at Gd. per lb..
Peas and Beans, good and merchantable, at 7s. per bushel.
Potatoes, at Is. Qd, in the FaU and 2s. in the Spring,
Stockings, good men's stockings, at 7s. per pair,
Shoes, best men's shoes, at 9s. per pair,
Shoes, women's of the best sort, at 7s. Qd. per pair,
Making a pair of men's shoes, at 4s. per pair.
Cotton Wool, good cotton wool, at 4s. Qd. per lb..
Flax, good and well dressed, at Is. per lb.,
Coffee, at Is. Gd. per lb.,
Tallow, cleaned and tried, at 9c?. per lb.,
Tow Cloth, at 2s. 6d, per yard — ^yard wide.
Other tow cloth in proportion.
Flannel — yard wide, at 3s. 6d, per yard.
Oak Wood, at 8s. per cord.
Charcoal, at 25s. per one hundred bushels,
Sole Leather, at Is. 5c?. per lb..
Curried Leather, usual proportion, at
Mutton, Lamb and Veal, at Sd.
Wheat Flour, at 18s. per hundred,
English Hay, at 4s. per hundred.
Keeping a Horse, Is. 6c?. per night and day by hay.
Team work with four cattle, 8s. per day.
Plowing by the acre, at 6s. 6c?.,
White Pine Boards, at 50s. per thousand.
Yellow Pine Floor Boards, at 50s. per thousand.
Reaping and Mowing, at 3s. 8c?. per acre,
Coramon Labor, at 3s. per day,
Farming Labor, 53s. for six months,
Weaving coraraon tow cloth, at 8c?. per yard,
Other weaving in proportion.
Cooper's Labor, at 4s. 6c?. for good heart bbls.,
For Meal of Victuals, Is.,

£ ^

(. d.

0

2

6

0

6

0

0

1

9

3 :

10

0

0

0 :

10

0

5

4

0

2

4

0

0

6

0

7

0

0

7

0

0

9

0

0

7

6

0

4

0

0

4

6

0

1

0

0

1

6

0

0

9

0

2

6

0

3

6

0

8

0

1

5

0

0

1

5

0

0

3

0

18

0

0

4

0

0

1

6

0

8

0

0

6

6

2

10

0

2

10

0

0

3

8

0

3

0

0

13

0

0

0

8

0

4

6

0

1

0

APPENDIX. 135
£ s. d.
Pelt Hats, at 8s., 0 8 0
Shoeing a Horse and corking round, at 8s., 0 8 0
Shoeing a pair of Cattle, at 12s., 0 12 0
Horse hiring, at 3c?. per mile, 0 0 3
Flip, at Is. per mug, 0 10
Tobacco, at 6c?. per lb., 0 0 6
Cider on the Lees, at 20s. per bbl., 10 0
Cyder, at 6c?. per mug, 0 0 6
Good Hunting Saddles, at 60s., 3 0 0
Butter until the first of June, at 10c?. per lb., 0 0 10
and until the first of November, 8c?., per lb., 0 .0 8
Good Common Saddles in proportion to Hunting,
Good Bridles, at 8s. , 0 8 0
Salt Pork, at 9 c/., per lb. 0 0 9
A true copy from the original records.
Attest, R. B. Robinson, Town Clerk.

THE INUNDATION.
We clip the account of the bi-centennial storm frora The Western
Hampden Times. It gives sorae additional facts, beyond those which
we have stated already. But no language can express the disappoint
ment and regret, which its occurrence occasioned.
The rain storm, commenced about two o'clock, Sunday morning,
and continued until two o'clock p. m., on Monday, swelling the river
to such an extent as to break the levee, constructed raany years
ago, on the right bank of the river, for the purpose of protecting the
town from inundations. The ringing of bells announced the fact to
the citizens, and men, representing all trades and professions, armed
with shovels, were seen hurrying to the soene of danger, with the hope
of saving their property and possibly their lives. They worked bravely
and raanfuUy, but all to no purpose, and a few minutes before three
o'clock the levee opened in two places, and in less than 30 minutes
nearly all that part of the town west of the N. & N. H. Railroad, and
north of Court street, including Orange, N. Maple, FrankUn, KeUogg,
Suraraer, Spring, Hampden, School, Jefiferson, Madison, and parts of
Washington, Church, Arnold, King and West School streets were
submerged, cellars filled, and many of the inhabitants driven to the sec
ond story of their dwellings.
The flood being checked on the east, by the embankment of the rail-

136 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
road, it followed the course of the town brook, crossed Elm street, filled
the basement of Rand, Lewis & Rand's Whip Factory, carrying away a
portable picture gallery that was in the vicinity o^the factory, and deposit
ing it on the embankment of the railroad. A culvert of the road in the
rear of the factory being insufficient to let the water pass, it washed away
the embankment on either side, leaving nothing but the rails and sleepers.
The breaking of the culvert increased the volume of water to such
an extent as to wash out Mechanic street below the bed of the brook,
leaving a chasm about 40 feet wide ; undermining the Van Deusen
Whip Factory, several private dwellings, and flooding raany others, be
fore it reached its natural course east of the village. During this time,
and while the citizens were congratulating each other that probably the
worst was over, the water broke through the erabankment of the raU-
road on Orange street, flooding the basement of Johnson's Organ Fac
tory, aud rushing like a mountain torrent down Elm street, filling cel
lars, carrying away lumber, fences, small buildings, and everything
movable that chanced to be in its way. Before reaching the river, east
of the bridge, it washed away the south-west corner of the basement
story of Steer & Turner's Organ Factory.
It will take weeks and perhaps months before the daraage done to
property and thoroughfares can be repaired. Fortunately no lives were
lost. , Many families, however, were in imminent danger, but were res
cued by means of boats and wagons.
The pupils of the normal and some of the public schools had to be
conveyed to their home by this raeans. A party of citizens had col
lected on the railroad between Orange street and Great river, and be
fore they were aware of it, they were surrounded by water and were
corapelled to remain in that position until the flood subsided.
Competent judges have estimated the individual loss to be about
$30,000, and the loss to the town, railroad, and gas incorporations about
$30,000 more, making the total loss about $60,000.

Letters of regret for inability to attend were received from the fol
lowing persons ; some of which we extract from, or copy, our space
limiting a more extended notice :
Joshua Atwater, EdwardsvUle, 111. ; Henry Day, Indianapolis, Ind. ;
W. H. Wadsworth, Cleveland, 0. ; WiUiam R. Morley, TaylorsvUle ;
Mrs. Esther A. French, Lansing, Mich. ; Samuel F. Lyman, North
ampton; Hon. OUver Warner, Sec'y, Boston; Charles W. Mose
ley, Onondaga, N. Y. ; Hon. R. A. Chaptnan, Chief Justice, Mon-
son ; WUliam King, Martinsboro, N. Y. ; James Sheldop, Brooklyn,

APPENDIX. 137
N. Y. ; Royal Phelps, Newport, R. I. ; Henry T. Morgan, New York ;
Homer Morgan, New York; 0. Allen, Columbus, 0.; John Davis,
Mich.; Mrs. C. Gibbons,' RusseU; J. H. Talmadge, New York
City; H. W. Gillett, Sedalia, Mo. ; F. D. Cossitt, Chicago; Roland
Mather, Hai-tford; Rev. Hirara Bingham, New Haven; Mrs, Cath
erine M. Foote, Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Rev. E. Ballentine, Blooming
ton, la. ; Daniel Richards, Watertown, Mass. ; Mr. & Mrs. P(|rter
Smith, Quincy, 111. ; Rev. John Alden, Providence, R. I. ; Hon. James
T. Robinson, North Adams ; Hon. John G. Palfrey, Cambridge ;
Prof. George W. Benedict, BurUngton, Vt. ; James B. Metcalfe, New
York City ; Henry W. Taj^lor, Canandaigua, N. Y. ; 0. R. Ingersoll,
New York City ; Joseph D. Bates, New York City ; Mrs. Elizabeth
King Day, Oakland, Cal. ; Hon. A. S. Porter, Niagara ; Rev. Dr.
OrvUle Dewey, Sheffield; D. D. Erving, Hartford; Henry Terry,
.Santa Rosa, Cal. ; S. B. Hadley, Rockdale ; A. S. Nash, Corry; Harvey
Fowler, Margaretta, 0.; William L. Atwater, New York City; Rev.
Dr. Henry M. Dexter, Boston; Rev. Hiram Sraith, Hinsdale.
There were, besides, warm and fervent letters from former citizens
in different parts of the country, expressive of their approbation of the
proposed celebration, and of a determination to be present. Many of
them, however, were prevented by the great inundation, and others by
divers untoward circumstances. We annex a partial list, — imi^rfeot,
inasmuch as, in the hurry and confusion of the tirae, raany of thera
were lost or raislaid.
It was gratifying to receive these expressions of good will, from those,
who had been so long absent ; and it was doubly so to press the hands
of those early emigrants from distant horaes, who had made such long
pilgrimages to the old home of their birth.
Araong the numbers who arrived here, and participated in the pleas
ures of the occasion, were the persons, whose names we insert below.
It was with a sincere regret, that Mrs. West, the daughter of tbe ven
erable Joshua Atwater of EdwardsvUle, 111., who, with her husband,
at the request of her father, of the age of ninety-four years, had tra,v-
eled as far as Pittsfield, should have been left in a car at that place,
by a neglect of the corporation, and thus debarred from the pleasures,
they had traveled so far to enjoy.
We were more than gratified that others, who were also left, obtained
other means of cbnveyance for portions of the intervening distance, and
by fording streams, where the bridges had been swept away, and by
long and weary railes of travel on foot, were enabled to participate in
a portion of|the exercises.
1 18

138 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
It should also be remarked as peculiarly unfortiunate, that the assem
bly were debarred the hearing, frora so many of the guests present at
the dinner, a few remarks, at least, expressive of their feelings upon
the occasion. Coming from distant parts of this great country, and
raeeting here, upon a jubilee, the like of which can never again hap
pen, with their old kinsmen, and the denizens of the town, it would have
been a pleasure to us to have heard them speak, and a pleasure to them
to have spoken. Many of them were prepared to speak, and they
were persons of the ability to do it weU. It seeraed, indeed, a sort of
rudeness, to close the proceedings, without calling upon them to respond.
When it was too late to amend, we saw, and regretted the mistake. The
obvious apology for us, did not cover tbe whole error. The unexampled
inundation, the delay of trains, the belated convocation of the guests,
and the consequent uncertainty, which, for a short time, retarded the
proceedings, and the chilliness and dampness of the air in the tent, in
the latter part of the afternoon, were causes for the early dispersion of
the company. But the original and great cause arose from crowding all
the proceedings into one short autumn day ! We should have devoted
two days to it ! One day, at least, for each century was reasonably de
manded ; and at the close of the second day, after the allowance of am
ple time for hearing, seeing, renewing old acquaintances, forming new
ones, reviving the memories of old times, in social converse, and in the
forraation of new resolutions for future social relations, our friends would
have realized, more impressively, the true enjoyment of this re-union
with their kindred. But, alas, it is too late to repair the past ! We,
however, suggest to our descendants, who may be living here at the close
of the next century, to read over the present volume, which we trust
some of them will find among the old and valued volumes of their libra
ries, or in the library of the town, and, certainly in the alcoves of the
ever-enduring Athenceum, and, warned by our mistakes, devote an am
ple tirae to their centennial anniversary, — the tri-centennial celebration
of the incorporation of Westfield.

Letters of acceptance of those, who expressed, either briefly or in ex
tenso their intention to be present, were the following persons ; and we
insert in the list from memory, a number who were present from distant
residences. Mrs. Atwater West, EdwardsvUle, 111., and E. M. West, her husband
Frederick Sacket, Esq., Chicago ; Joseph W. King, Jacksonville, 111.
Reuben King, Chicago, 111. ; Rev. Dr. Samuel R. Ely, Roslyn, L. I.
Horatio E. Day, Hartford, Ct. ; Hon. Calvin Day, Hartford, Ct. ; Hon.

APPENDIX. 139
Albert Day, Hartford, Ct. ; Henry W. Bates, New York City ; Mrs.
Mary A. Warner, Waterloo, N. Y. ; Miss Jane IngersoU, Springfield ;
Maj. Edward Ingersoll, U. S. Armory, Springfield ; Stephen Douglass,
Greenwich, Mass. ; Jeremiah Douglass, Greenwich, Mass. ; A. M.
Drake, Brighton; George Stowe, New York City; E. V. B. Holcomb,
Chicopee Falls ; F. E. Merriman, Boston ; Hon. H. G. Knight, East
Hampton ; Hon. John B. Eldredge, Hartford ; Mrs. Mary F. Davis, New
Britain, Ct. ; Charles Peck, New Britain, Ct. ; L. S. Sraith, Albany ;
Caleb Alden and wife, Springfield ; Mr. and Mrs. S. Munson, Albanv ;
John Hastings, Hartford ; John 0. Atwater, New York City , Mr. and
Mrs. WUUam H. Atwater, New York City; Henry Talmadge, New
York City; Edward Hooker, NewYork City; Edward Taylor, Andover;
Jona. Taylor, Andover ; Mr. and Mrs. B. L. Spear, West Sufifield, Ct. ;
Mr. and Mx^. Joseph Langdon, Hartford, Ct. ; D. B. Moseley, editor
ReUgious Herald, Hartford, Ct. ; E. W. Moseley, Hartford Ct. ; Mrs.
J. Kent, Sufiield, Ct. ; P. Atwater and family, Suifield, Ot. ; J. R. Rand,
New York City ; Rev. G. Haven, Boston ; H. K. Noble, Northamp
ton ; Rev. H. Beebe, New Haven, Ct. ; A. F. Hastings, New York
City; John B. Bancroft, Ballston Spa, N. Y. ; Thomas Ely, New Bed
ford ; R. Bancroft, Albany ; Mrs. Mary G. Colt and family, Pittsfield ;
B. B. Hastings, New York City; W. Hudson Stephens, Lowville, N. Y. ;
R. C. Rice, West Meriden, Ct. ; Francis Douglass, Worcester; A. R.
Parsons, Free Press, Northampton ; Charles A. Chapman, Siiffield ;
WilUam Ely, Elizabeth, N. J. ; George W. Fowler, Carbondale, Pa. ;
Cyrus D. Noble, Northampton ; Rev. William G. W. Lewis, Pough
keepsie ; Rev. Ephraim Scott, Heath ; Rev. Perkins K. Clark, Mittin-
eaque; Enoch Clark, Ohio ; Rev. John Cadwell, South Deerfield ; Wil
liam Stowe, Springfield ; Alfred C. Hobbs, Bridgeport, Ct. ; WiUiam
B. Pettis and faraily, Troy, N. Y. ; Linus Noble, Northarapton ; Wil-
liara C. Goldthwaite, Longraeadow.

Mr. West, the writer of the following is the son-in-law of Mr.
Joshua Atwater ; and, with his wife, was present at a late part of the
celebration, the car in which they were traveling, having been left at
Pittsfield : Edwardsvillb, III., Sept. 21, 1869.
William G. Bates, Esq.,
Chairman Committee on Invitation, Westfield, Mass,
Dear Sir : By request of Blr. Joshua Atwater, I write to express
Ur you his pleasure in receiving your invitation to attend and partici-

140 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
pate in the exercises at the bi-centennial celebration of the incorpora
tion of Westfield, his native town, and to say that nothing could aflford
him more pleasure than to be present on that interesting ocoasion, and
to renew his acquaintance with the friends and home of his youth. He
fears, however, that infirmities attending his advanced age, (being in
his ninety-fourth year,) are such as make the journey too great for him
to undertake.
He desires to express to your comraittee, and to all who may attend
on, that occasion his best wishes and cordial greetings.
Very respectfully,'
E. M. West.

LETTER FROM HON. R. A. CHAPMAN, CHIEF JUSTICE
SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT. Monson, Oct. 4, 1869.
My Dear Sir : I received the in-vitation of your committee, and
your own private invitation to be present at your celebration and go to
your house. I desire to be there quite as strongly as you can possibly
desire to see me. During my brief residence in Westfield, some forty
years ago, I formed some acquaintances that I have always valued
highly, yourself being at the head of the Ust, and I have not lost my
interest in the place. What a growth the town has had in these forty
years, — not merely in population and wealth, but in inteUigence and
elevation of character. I have been accustomed to think, that, for its
intelligence and moral growth, Westfield was vastly more indebted to
our old friend, Dr. Davis, than most people were aware of ; and I hope
you will do him justice in your address. His raost prorainent talent
was sound common sense. He understood the value of comraon edu
cation in coramon schools, and labored to proraote it. I beUeve the
common school, controlled as well as supported by the people, is a ne
cessity in a free governraent, and that good coraraon schools are neces
sary to elevate the character of the people ; and that whoever would
destroy them, and place common education in the hands of the clergy,
or any other class of professional men, would work in hostiUty to free
government. Dr. Davis was a Christian, and accepted the Bible as a
divine revelation, applying his common sense to the interpretation of it,
in respect to doctrine and practical duty. He knew its elevating ten
dency. I believe, as he did, that it supplies a moral eleraent, which is
necessary to the preservation of the raorals of a comraunity — an ele
ment, that nothing else can supply. And whoever would depreciate
the Bible, or oppose its general use and acceptance, acts in hostiUty tb

APPENDIX. 141
a free governraent and the moral elevation of the people. Westfield
has iraproved just about in proportion to its increased regard for Chris
tianity and common education, and its improvement within forty years
has not been small. It will continue to grow, and two hundred years
hence the people will re-publish, and read Mr, Bates' address with
great interest. I want greatly to hear that address as well as to visit
your wife, Miss Fannie and Miss Bessie; and see some of ray other
friends in Westfield. But just think of it ! On our circuits, we must
listen attentivdy to learned arguments all day till six, and then go into
consultation till nine or ten, and fill up our vacations with writing
opinions. And as we go to bed, thoroughly tired, it is with the com
forting reflection, that the constitutional requirement, that we shall have
an honorable support is utterly disregarded, and that, if we had no
private property to supply a part of what is justly due us from the
treasury of the State, we should have to resign to-morrow. But, I
suppose we must yield to the claims of railroads, and other enterprises
for money, and I must suppress my strong desire to attend your cele
bration. I send my regrets, and my best regards to Mrs. Bates, and
your daughters, your family and your associates.
Yours truly, R. A. Chapman.
Hon. William G. Bates.
LETTER FEOM PROF. GEORGE W. BENEDICT.
George W. Benedict was preceptor in the Westfield Academy in the
years 1818 and 1819, and subsequently became a professor in the uni
versity in BurUngton, Vermont.
TT xTT /-I r> Burlington, Vt., Sept. 25, 1869.
Hon. W. G. Bates. . > r >
Dear Sir : I thank you for the pleasant note I received from you a
day or two since, with an invitation for me to be present at the bi-cen
tennial celebration of the settlement of Westfield. Is it possible that
it is fifty years sinoe I left my charge as perceptor of Westfield Acad
emy ? So the almanac says ; but who would have thought that fifty
years could run away so soon ? It is no wonder, that the " bi-centen
nial " has come along so soon, for two hundred is only /owr times fifty,
— not muoh after all.
But, short as fifty years have been, they have wrought considerable
changes in me, among which have corae along some infirmities of body,
which quite disenable me from mingUng in crowds, or exposing myself
to fatigue, and I raust decline being present at the interesting gathering
to which you invite me. Even if I could go, I doubt whether I should

142 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
not get as rauch pain as pleasure from the meeting. Nearly all whom
I knew, as full-grown persons there, in 1818-19, are gone ; and of the
raany whom I knew as pupUs, (and of whom nearly all come up pleas
antly before my mind's eye, yet as young as ever,) only a few of those
who survive would recognize me, and them I should find old instead of
young. The break in the picture would seem far greater to me and
them, than it oan be to those who have met each other at frequent and
short intervals during the half century past.
Since I was last at Westfield — I think it was forty-five of forty-six years
ago— I have met surprisingly few of those whom I knew there. Many years
ago, when I had occasion to be in Boston, I somehow was told, that you
was in the city, and at the Tremont Hotel, I believe, and I went there
purposely to see you ; but was told at the office that you had left the
day before. It would have given me great pleasure to have seen you,
and to have talked over with you the pleasant year which I spent as an
inmate of your father's family. Hon. James Fowler — whose kind re
membrance of me in your note I wish to reciprocate, I met for a few
minutes many years ago on a railroad train near Burlington, and that
short interview was provokingly interrupted by a business interview with
a gentleraan, who had telegraphed rae to meet him then and there. It
will be quite an accident if we, any of us, raeet again in this life — but
an accident, whioh I would be very glad to have take place.
With great respect for your letter, I remain, as ever.
Your old friend, George W. Benedict.
P. S. Life and prosperity to Westfield and Westfield Academy, for
raany hundreds of years to come.

LETTER FROM LEWIS F. ALLEN, BUFFALO, N. Y.
Lewis F. Allen is a distinguished citizen of Buflfalo. He has been
engaged in extensive improveraents in that city, and has filled its most
honorable offices. Buffalo, N. Y., Sept. 30, 1869.
My Dear Sir: Your kind invitation to attend "the Second Cen
tennial Anniversary of the town of Westfield " is received.
No enjoyment within my control would give me more heai-ty gratifi
cation, than to attend your anniversary, but indispensable engagements
at home vrill prevent it. The loss will be mine only, not yours, for I
could add nothing of interest to your proceedings, as I am known to

APPENDIX. 143
scarcely a score of your citizens, and am unfortunate in having but
few blood relations in your midst ; thus, in my long absence from
your town, I should only be a stranger to nearly all of your good
people. But, there is still the grand, lone Mount Tekoa (near the foot of
which I first drew ray breath) looking tranquilly down upon you ; the
hills of Russell, and Blandford, and Granville still maintain their pro
tecting front over your delightful valley ; the pure waters of your
"Great" and "Little" rivers (in which I have swam and dived un
counted times in early boyhood) are yet shimmering through your lux
uriant meadows ; and many other interesting objects are tbere, with
which my raeraory is familiar, and at whose sight a thousand fond rec
ollections would throng my heart. No strangers would they be to me,
although myself a stranger to your people.
When reflecting upon the accident of ray birth, I feel a pride that
Massachusetts is my native state, and that Westfield is ray native town
— a town then, as now, among the most beautiful in the charming Con
necticut valley. My brief school education was mostly obtained in the
old wooden academy, whose white walls looked out on the village
" green," and ray last and only histrionic exploits were enacted at the
annual "exhibition," with my school-fellows, on the "stage," extem
porized in the old white "meeting-house" adjacent, under the super
vision of our complacent, yet anxious " preceptor," and our occasional
"usher" — the latter, the Hon. James Fowler, since risen to well-won
distinction among you, and still, I trust, in the enjoyment of a serene
and venerable age — and the "young lady scholars," too, who played
their " Desdemonas " and " Ophelias " to their ranting, strutting heroes,
coy and affectionate, under the surveillance of their sedate "precep
tress " and " under teacher." Blessings be on tbe heads of those who
survive, and honor to the many of those who have departed !
The pulpit of the " meeting-house," in those days was worthily and
ably occupied by the Rev. Isaac Knapp, who, among his outside paro
chial ministrations, as visitor to the smaller " district schools," in my still
earlier days, taught me the "shorter catechism," — a tedious lesson, by
the way, to ray impatient boyhood — the iron-bound " Orthodox" teach
ings of which I have not forgotten, but to its observances, I fear, often
played the truant. With what awe and reverence did I look up at the
occasional aged, venerable, white-wigged, long-queued " ministers," who
exchanged pulpits with our younger, raore raodern Mr. Knapp in those
days; and how decorously straightened up in the "Deacon's pew,"
under the pulpit, sat grim ' ' old Deacon Ballentine," — lone bachelor

144 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
that he was — looking out in case-hardened severity through his iron-
bound spectacles, on the inattention of a listless hearer !
Since I left Westfield, raore than fifty years ago, my visits there have
been few and far between ; but they are full of pleasant recollections.
The venerable mansion, erected by my raaternal grandsife (Captain
Richard FaUey, of Bunker Hill and Revolutionary memory), near the
" green," and in which he Uved many years, is still standing, and for
sixty years or more, has been successively occupied by sorae of your
most eminent physicians — Dr. Atwater, and the son of the elder Dr.
Jaraes Holland, the younger Dr. James (the latter, one of your Com
mittee of Invitation, and late a gallant medical soldier in our armies),
whose ministrations to the diseased and afflicted were ever salutary and
grateful. The £esthetic taste of the good people of Westfield, I find, has been
exercised in the extension of your ample streets, and the planting of trees
which overshadow their pleasant dwellings ; while their active industry
has adorned the town with public structures, admirable in design, and
munificent in appropriation — all indicative of the high moraUty, the
continuous thrift, the substantial wealth of your population.
In my last visit to Westfield, two years ago, I felt one pang, and
that a sharp one. As I passed up your principal street from the rail
way station to the "green," I saw a board, on which was painted
" Franklin street." What a desecration, thought I, of the venerable,
time-honored narae, " Shepard lane," as it used to be in my boyhood !
Dr. Franklin is honored, in a thousand names, in county, town and vil
lage ; no need of him in Westfield ; while the revolutionary patriot.
Gen. Shepard, white-haired and noble in presence, as I remember him,
whose humble, gambrel-roofed, elm-shadowed dwelling on the highway,
giving it a patriarchal, well-deserved name, must be rubbed out and for
gotten ! No, no, my good friends, take down that ambitious " Frank
Un," and restore, in good, honest black and white, " Shepard lane ! "
It has a rural significance as well.
God bless the good old town of Westfield ! Peace and prosperity
attend its people ! May the joyous event, which you are about to cele
brate, remain a grateful memorial in thBir hearts, and an abiding ex
ample to future generations.
With the kindest personal regards to yourself, and most respectful
salutations to your associates, I remain, dear sir,
Most truly, your friend,
Lewis F. Allen.
Hon. Wm. G. Bates, Gh. Com. of Invitation, Westfield, Mass,

APPENDIX. 145

TELEGRAM FROM GROVE H. LOOMIS OF BOSTON.
The mails between Westfield and Boston being interrupted, the anx
ious and yearning son of Westfield resorted to the telegraph. His letter
came to hand during our dinner, while he was fasting from it, in disap
pointment, in Boston. The letter itself discloses his state of feeling : —
Boston, Oct. 6, 1869.
Hon. William G. Bates :
Though the winds and floods have come between me and home, pre
venting bodily presence, yet in spirit I am with you, and invoke upon
the returning and re-uniting sons and daughters of Westfield that full
measure of enjoyment, which such an occasion must inspire. A thou
sand pleasant memories crowd upon my mind, as I recall the days of
" Auld Lang Syne," and as many congratulations rise to my lips, as I
contemplate the pleasure of the hour. By the next centennial, flying-
machines will doubtless be serviceable, and then look for my grand
children as they oome wafting home. Mr. President, place your hand
on the wire, and you will see my pulse beats quick and strong to be
with you. Please salute the brethren and sisters, particularly the latter.
Yours, in raeraory of my ancestor, and with love to my raother,
G. H. Loomis.

LETTER FROM CORNELIUS HEDGES.
After acquiring his education in this town at the Acaderay, he was
graduated at Yale College in 1853 ; and, being admitted to the bar
of this county, he emigrated to his present residence.
Helena City, Montana Territory, Sept. 20, 1869.
To Hon. William G. Bates, Chairman, SfC, :
Dear Sir : Your kindly invitation to attend and participate in cel
ebrating the bi-centennial anniversary of the incorporation of the town
of Westfield, overtook me, in my wanderings from childhood's home,
and has found or kindled a strong desire to participate in the festivities,
and testify my loyal attachment to my native town ; pride in her name,
history, natural wealth and beauty ; in her schools and churches ; in
her thrift and enterprise ; but, above all, I would delight to see her
scattered sons and daughters gather around the old homesteads, to re
vive old memories and associations, and over the graves of our sires, to
renew our vows of fidelity to all that was wise and good in their teach
ings and example. But, in view of distance and pressing duties, I
19

146 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
regret to say I cannot come in person. I have chased the setting sun
to the summit of the Rooky Mountains, and seen raany of the bright
and rich fields of the West, but none so bright and fair, in my sight,
as the Westfield of my birth. I love it all — her meadows and hills ;
her rivers, brooks and ponds ; her blackberry plains, and chestnut
woods ; all of them are linked with the golden chains of memory. I
have found a land that contains more gold, but all the countless wealth
of Montana's mines, could not hire me to choose any other spot than
Westfield, in which to spend ray days, if I could go back to the friends
and companions of my youth. But too many have passed the bourne,
ftom which no traveler returns. Could the dead of two hundred years
attend your gathering, what a vast and venerable assemblage ! But,
the two centuries to come, are bigger with destinies, and wiU throng
with mightier hosts. You are acting wisely, in sinking the foundations
for a virtuous and prosperous society, in public schools, Ubraries and
churches. No descendant of Westfield needs blush for his birthplace.
Hoping success to the occasion, pleasure to all who participate, with
sorrowful regret, that I must be denied the pleasure, I extend to you,
and through you, to all the gentlemen of the committee, ray warmest
thanks. I remain ever a son of Westfield, proud of his birthplace.
Cornelius Hedges.

LETTER FROM J. SIBLEY.
Mr. Sibley was educated here, studied law in New York State, emi
grated to Illinois, was elected a judge, in whioh office he has remained
for several years, as a popular officer. Quincy, Sept. 20, 1869.
To Hon. William G. Bates, Chairman, S^c:
Dear Sir : I was much gratified by your kind invitation to attend
the bi-centennial festival, contemplated at Westfield, on the 6th of Octo
ber next, that has just reached me at this place, and in reply allow me
to express to you, and through you to the gentlemen of the committee
on invitations, my sincere regrets, that official duties are such as to ren
der it quite impossible for me to be present on the occasion referred to.
Though separated by the space of half a continent, and the time
usually allotted to a generation of men, from a residence among you,
stUl I should participate as heartily in celebrating the birthday of West-
field, as if the intervening time and space were entirely obliterated.
For the pleasant recollections of the long-ago past connected with that

APPENDIX. 147
place, return to the mind as fresh as the events of yesterday. And let
me assure the good people of that town, who can with pride look back
over these dead centuries to find the commenceraent of its corporate
existence, that if there is anything that I have reason to be proud of,
it is in being thus remembered as a native-born son of that ancient and
honored place.
May the prosperity of Westfield continue undiminished through the
remaining centuries to corae, and its inhabitants exhibit the same gen
erous and hospitable spirit in celebrating their exit, as that which the
present occasion has manifested, — is the sentiment of
Your raost obedient servant, J. Sibley.

LETTER FROM WILLIAM L. ATWATER.
Mr. Atwater is the son of Dr. William Atwater, and grandson of
Rev. Noah Atwater, and was born in the old faraily raansion, where
Dr. James Holland now lives. New York, Oct. 4, 1869.
Dear Sir : I make a tardy response to your invitation to unite with
the sons of Westfield in celebrating the two hundredth anniversary of
its settlement. As a dutiful son, I hoped to obey the call, and to raeet
at the spot of ray birth with my earliest, and of course my best friends.
But just as your coramittee of arrangements are marshaling in proces
sion the home residents and the returned emigrant sons, with the wel
come exotics, I must be counted absent, and reluctantly forego the high
enjoyment. Yet, at a distance, I will rejoice that such a home entertain
ment will be spread for the other children. It will be easy and pleasant
for absent merabers of the faraUy to iraagine the historian of Westfield
and his co-laborers, telling to delighted auditors a narrative so unlike
the chronicles, which have surfeited us with military exploits and politi
cal intrigues. They will relate how the pioneers of civilization from
beyond the Connecticut, pitched their tents near Little River, and
towards the Green, and how promptly the meeting-house and school-
house followed ; how barter-trades were driven with the Woronocos,
and what were the sumptuary regulations of our grandsires and grand
mothers ; how matrons left politics and platforms, to rule with gentle
sway in their horae kingdoras, not having yet learned from the Sorosis,
that, in these quiet, domestic scenes, they were out of their eleraent,
and that they ought to be raore concerned about their doubtful rights,
than about their well defined duties ; how young men found rational

148 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
entertainment and healthful exercises outside of clubs and bUliard-
rooms ; how much better employed were the young maidens' hands,
that turned spinning-wheels in the seventeenth century, than the hands that
turned the pages of sensational and corrupting novels in the nineteenth.
And as hours pass on, the hungry Olivers around the board beseech
ingly ask for more pleasant " Pictures." A new lustre will gather
around many beloved and honored homes. Those long since gone, wiU
be venerated, and the many departed will be tenderly remembered.
And should their domestic and social virtues be painted with too much
warrath of coloring, or, if the faithful historian discloses some faiUngs,
I dare say that the extravagance will be indulged, for the occasion, and
that the sons, like Noah's, will cover the reproach of their fathers.
It was one of Lord Bacon's memorable sayings, that " the best times
to live in were the worst times to read about ; " that is to say, that the an
nals of peaceful, arcadian ages aflford no stirring incidents for lively enter
tainment. If we accept this view, it raust be conceded that the archives
of Westfield furnish no records of splendid, heroic deeds, or of exciting
adventures. Virgil could never have opened the first chapter of our his
tory, as he opened the first book of .^neid by singing of, " arras and the
man." The most patient researches would perhaps discover no other,
or no greater adventures and exploits than those our fathers dared and
achieved, in hunting on some fine day, or in fishing on a rainy one ; or if
in the field, life's chief battles were fought in charging upon unsubdued
soils and obstinate and usurping stumps. The only revolutions on rec
ord, would prove to be the bloodless ones, which our honored mothers
made with their spinning-wheels. Our two centuries of chronicles, are
neither terrible or voluminous with the blood and thunder narratives,
which in our own day swarm in houses, as the flies of Egypt. With
out battles and victories, without genealogies of great and illustrious
names in science and learning, our ancestors and ourselves have lived
in Westfield in uneventful times. But those have been good tiraes,
when families and neighborhoods enjoyed the blessings of popular edu
cation, and were united harmoniously by bonds of brotherly sympathy;
when the few reputed rich men never looked disdainfully upon poor
men, and when there were few or no poor men to envy the prosperity
of those raore favored. We, and others, can afford to let the proverb
stand, which comes with so high authority, and without regrets that our
annals aff'ord no materials for racy narratives, wiU this day rejoice, that
the best times to live in are the worst to read about.
If the lot that ordered the times of Westfield's first settlers, their '
descendant's and our own, has been pleasant, we shall this day remem-

APPENDIX. 149
ber no less complacently, the circumstances and privileges of these
cherished homes. The pioneers had indeed the trials inseparable to the
early stages of civilization. They had not found the proraised land on
this side the Connecticut. No true spies had returned to report that
the clusters of Eschol could be gathered on the sands of Poverty Plains
at the south, or at Harapden Plains on the north, or^ tbat railk and
honey flowed frora under the shadow of Tekoa. And then there were
Canaanites to be driven out from among the Woronocos (it is hoped
that they came under John Eliot's ministrations). But the homes and
the surroundings, the faraily altars, and rural and more elaborate tem
ples on these plains, have been happy and sacred spots. In respect to
material prosperity, it has been a good land, in rewarding labor in the
pursuits of agriculture, and mechanical and manufacturing skill and in
dustry. Westfield has been happy, useful and honored in its just esti
mate of popular education, offering during all the present century, ad
vantages for academical instruction which few people have enjoyed. It
has been happy in enjoying a long settled and faithful rainistry of be
loved pastors, who so taught reUgion by word, and so exemplified it in
deed, that resulting blessings have been imparted to their flocks, and
unwonted harraony in every generation has prevailed among all denom
inations. From what has been done here in the interests of education,
in the labors of a faithful ministry, and in promoting peace and good
will among all its people, other communities may derive impulse and
example. These pleasant horae pictures have had their shadows. The
cypress and the myrtle have grown near each other in every scene.
Yet, surveying the alternating years of health and infirmities, hopes and
disappointments, successes and defeats, smiles and tears, we must one
and all testify this day, that the lines have fallen to us in pleasant
places, yea, that we have had a goodly heritage ; that the home of our
children, youth, middle age, or decUning years.
Is a spot of earth supremely blest,
A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest.
In the year 1669, a few emigrants frora Massachusetts colony settled
on these plains of Westfield. With their brethren of the colony, they
came to lay the foundation of civil government in the wilderness. They
recognized God's laws as the fundamental authority ; and that 'they
owed him supreme reverence and obedience, was their first and last
duty. Secondly, they held that they " enjoyed the privUege of gov
ernment within themselves as their undoubted right in the sight of God
and man." They believed in '• government of the people by the peo
ple, and for the people." And here, coeval with the rising of their

150 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
rude temples and their ruder homes, the tree of civU and religious lib
erty was planted and reared, and we have eaten of the precious fruits
and sat for two hundred years under its shade. It is because of those
venerable men, and the principles they taught to our fathers, that we
have enjoyed an enlightened freedom and a civilization unsurpassed
araong men. And duty, love and reverence unite this day in commem
orating, if not their names, yet their great and enduring work.
I associate with my youthful days in Westfield one who had a preju
dice in favor of good roads, and who rendered the public a long and
faithful service by his interest in their highways. I will close a letter,
I fear quite too long, by offering a sentiment which all will agree has a
worthy subject. [The sentiment will be found on page 114.]
Very truly,
W. L. Atwater.
William G. Bates, Esci., Chairman, S^c,

LETTER FROM HENRY F. TERRY.
Santa Rosa, Cal., Sept. 28, 1869.
William G. Bates, Esq., Chairman, ^c.
Dear Sir : I ara happy to acknowledge receipt of tickets of in
vitation to participate in the bi-centennial celebration of your town,
to occur on the 6th of October next.
With what quickened beat does the blood pulsate through my frame
at the very mention of New England, and especially Westfield, with
which so many pleasant recollections are associated. 'Tis sacred ground
to me ; there Ue the earthly remains of a Father, peace to his ashes !
And how I would rejoice to be with you, and add one to the num
ber of those, who though wandering from there, are stiU loyal to the
scenes of youth. " 'Tis the birthplace of freedom, the land I love best."
There among others, I would meet those dearest on earth — the faces
on whom my infant eyes first rested ; the face of her who first taught
me to lisp " Our Father in Heaven " — ray Mother ! My heart over
flows as I contemplate the picture.
Although I could add but Uttle to the success of the celebration,"
from ray knowledge of the deep emotional heart of New Englanders,
I know I should receive as hearty a welcorae, on all sides, as my pleas
ure would be intense. But I am admonished by circumstances that I
must forego and deny myself the pleasure of participating therein.

APPENDIX. 151
With the fullest assurance of ray well-wishes in this and all other
undertakings, both publio and private, I subscribe myself, with many
thanks for the remembrance, Yours truly,
Henry F. Terry.

LETTER FROM O. R. INGERSOLL.
New York, Sept. 14, 1869.
To Hon. William G. Bates :
Sir : I learn that you have been invited to deliver the address at the
celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of
the town of Westfield. I therefore address you these few lines, and if
you derive from them any information that is new to you or may come
within the scope of your line of remaarks on that exceedingly interest
ing occasion I shall be pleased. I am a descendant of John Ingersoll,
the settler, who moved to Westfield in the year 1665 and died there in
1684. His wife was Mary Hunt, whose mother was Mary Webster,
daughter of John Webster, fifth governor of the colony of Connecticut.
John Ingersoll had fifteen children — Joseph, one of his sons, born in
Westfield, October 16, 1675, was slain at Deerfield, Mass., when that
town was destroyed by the French and Indians, February 29, 1704.
Another son, Thomas, married Sarah Ashley. Their son was Thomas,
who married Sarah Dewey ; his house which now stands in Little River,
and is upwards of one hundred and sixty years of age, was known many
years as the Ingersoll Place. Thomas was a magistrate in Westfield
until his decease. His house being large, was used as a kind of fort,
where the people resorted for safety during the Indian wars. Greylock,
the famous Indian warrior, had killed a large number of persons, and
was skulking around a long time, and at last, when in the act of scalp
ing Thomas' wife, Sarah, Thomas fired, Greylock escaped bleeding into
the woods and was never heard from afterwards. Thomas' son, John,
was a magistrate, and died in Westfield. Another son, Jonathan, was
a captain, and killed at Fort George by the Indians lying in ambush, in
1754 ; seventy soldiers were kUled on a scouting party. Thomas Inger
soll emigrated to Canada before the Revolutionary War. The town of
"IngersoU" was named in honor of them. Major Charles IngersoU,
his son, was an officer in the British army and a member of the Cana
dian Pariiament. Charles J. and Joseph R. Ingersoll of PhUadelphia,
descended from John the settler. Their father was Jared IngersoU,
judge of the District Court of Pennsylvania. He attained high rank
as a lawyer, was a member of Congress and of the convention which

152 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
formed the constitution of the United States. The New Haven Inger
soUs descended from John, the settler. Ralph I. is one of the ablest
lawyers in Connecticut; his'brother, Charles A., was a United States
judge at the time of his death. Their sister, Grace Ingersoll, was one
of the famous women of the court of the first Napoleon, and married
one of Napoleon's receiver generals. Benjamin Saxton, the first white
male child or English chUd born in Westfield, was bom in a house that
stood under the hill near the Ingersoll house. 0. R. Ingersoll.

LETTER FROM HENRY W. TAYLOR.
A letter, dated October 1, 1869, was addressed to Hon. WUliam G.
Bates, by Henry W. Taylor, Esq. of Canandaigua, N. Y., a descendant
of the first pastor of the church in Westfield, expressive of his interest
in the celebration, of his desire to be present, and of his intention so to
do. Like many others, he was prevented by an imperative necessity.
His letter contains sixteen closely written pages, which are devoted to
the personal history of his venerable relative ; and the facts stated are
of a most interesting character, particularly to the numerous descend
ants of the old pastor. We can only make a few extracts from the let
ter, and state a few facts set forth therein.
He was born in England, educated for the rainistry, studied seven
years in one of their universities ; but the ejection of 2,000 dissenting
clergymen in 1662, and the persecutions which that class of Christians
suffered, induced him to a voluntary exile. It seeras he was then an ar
dent anti-monarchist, and his early writings are said to breathe, in no
doubtful terms, his strong aversion to the rulings of the existing dynasty.
He was, through his whole life, a most voluminous writer, keeping a
diary of the running events of his life, and recording things of passing
interest. He left a large number of written folio volumes, and he was
in the habit of transcribing, with his own hand, the books which were
loaned to him by his friend Judge Sewall of Boston. Mr. Taylor also
studied raedicine ; and during his life was accustoraed to minister as
well to the diseases of the body, as of the soul. He also gave atten
tion to the study of natural history, and sorae of his compositions were
pubUshed in the scientific Uterature of the day.
We do not suppose our readers care to- know how he bore the voyage
across the Atlantic ; whether or not he was sea-sick, or what the state
of the weather was ; but, as showing the state of navigation, and the
change in the general state of things in the space of two hundred

APPENDIX. 153
years, we append an extract from his journal, kindly furnished by
Mr. H. W. Taylor.
"Anno Domini 1668. AprU 22, being Lord's day, between ten and
eleven o'clock at night, I came for sea, taking boat at Execution Dock,
Wapping. They got to the Downs, May I, and we are forced to tarry
for the winds. I sent a letter to London and another to Sketchley.
May 3, I had a sad forenoon, but toward evening the ship-master
sent for me, and enjoined me to go to prayer with them. May 14,
against Dover. I sent a letter to my brother Richard. May 15,
against the Isle of Wight. May 20, against the Lisard. Lord's
day. May 24, I then being put to exercise spoke from John 3d, 3d.
May 31, Lord's day, wind west. I was very sick, so that I could not
perform the duties of the day. June 7, our latitude is 43°. These
two last days we sailed well nigh 150 leagues. I being somewhat bet
ter in health than before, did exercise from and apply the doctrine that
before I approved. June 13, we exercised from Isaiah 3d, 11th.
June 18, our latitude 41°, longitude 51°. After dinner I read the 4th
chapter of John, in Greek. Lord's day, June 21, 1 approved the doc
trine I delivered the Lord's day before." Lord's day, June 28, I ex
ercised frora the words, " For the reward of their hands shall be given
thera," Isaiah 3d, llth. July 2d, sounded 50 fathoras. July 4th,
thick fog ; seeing land on both hands, Plyraouth on the left and Salera
on the right, towards sun-setting, about five o'clock we saw the Island
in our passage up to Boston. About three o'clock on Lord's day,
July 5th, in the raorning we carae to shore. July 23d I was admitted
into the college, pupil under Mr. Thoraas Graves, Sir Fellow in a great,
yet civil class. I continued there three years and a quarter, all which
tirae I was college butler. I proposed to lay down my place at the
comraencement. The President by his incessant request and desires pre
vailed with me to tarry in it, as for three years before ; but after a
quarter's trial he (I) was invited by Mr. Thomas Flint of Braintree to
corae and study with hira. He (I) went in 1671, but soon returned
and settled in the coUege, and was instituted scholar of the house the
16th day of Noveraber, 1671 ; but the 17th being quarter day, Thoraas
Dewey a raessenger frora Westfield on Connecticut river, to the Bay to
get a minister for the people, being by eight or nine elders, met at the
lecture at Boston, directed to myself, came to rae with a letter from Mr.
Increase Mather ; and whom, for answer, I referred to the Rev. Presi
dent Chauncey and Fellows; and finding Mr. Danforth for it, Mr.
Oakes indifferent, rather advising to it, the President aUogether against
it. At this time the President and Fellows wanted to retain Mr. Tay-
20

154 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
lor for a Fellow. But Mr. Danforth the Chief Magistrate advised, and
did on the 1 8th advise with Mr. Increase Mather and Mr. FUnt. Their
advice was positive for it.
" Nov. 27, I set out with Mr. Dewey, and arrived at Westfield Dec.
1. On Lord's day I preached to them frora Matthew 3d, 2d — ray first
serraon, Dec. 3, 1671.
" My going to Westfield with Mr. Dewey, was a great part of the
way, by markd trees : I arrived and lodged the first night at Capt.
Cook's, in the Uttle village."
At the time of his arrival, Westfield was a frontier town, then and
for a long time after exposed to the attacks of a savage foe, by whom
many were from time to time waylaid, assaulted and murdered. The
population was sraall, and for a series of years were regularly gathered
within the fort at night, and through the day labored within reach, at a
moment's warning, of their fire-arms.
This condition of things offered few inducements, to an educated raan,
to settle among them ; nothing to gratify ambition, or pamper indul
gence. On the Sabbath the people were called together by beat of
drum. The fort referred to was, I have been informed, upon the farm, which
has ever since been, and still is owned by the descendants of Rev. Mr.
Taylor now George Taylor, his great-grandson.
The paucity of population combined with the extreme insecurity of
person and property, for a long tirae delayed his installation as pastor of
the church in that place.
The letters missive calling a council, to organize a church, and to or
dain the pastor, were dated July, 1679. The councU was requested to
convene on the last fourth day of the sixth raonth, which was August
27, 1679, old style; frora which it wUl be seen that the ecclesiastical
year commenced with the month of March. The councU consisted of
the Rev. Solomon Stoddard of Northampton, Mr. Strong, ruling elder,
and Capt. Aaron Cook and Lieut. Clark, messengers, Rev. John Rus
seU of Hadley and Lieut. Smith and Mr. Younglove, messengers. Rev.
Peletiah Glover of Springfield, teaching elder, and I. Holyoke, Deacon
Burt and Mr. Parsons, messengers, and one messenger from Meriden,
Conn., the pastor being detained by sickness ; there were present also,
as "guests," the Rev. Mr. Samuel Hooker of Farmington, Conn., and
the " Worshipful Major John Pynchon " of Springfield.
After the council met, the following persons were organized into a
church, namely, Edward Taylor, John Maudesley, Sarauel Loomis,
Isaac Phelps, from Windsor church. Josiah Dewey and John Inger-

APPENDIX. 155
soil from Northampton, and John Root from Farmington, Conn. The
candidates were exarained, after which Mr. Taylor preached from Eph.
2 : 22. After the candidates had assented to the articles of faith, Mr.
Stoddard the moderator of the council pronounced them to be a church
of Christ, orderly gathered. They then appointed the Rev. Mr. Tay
lor to receive the right hand of fellowship.
The moderator then asked them who they would have for officers'?
" Whereupon," says Mr. Taylor, " my unworthy self was put under a
call, to be pastor unto them." He was then ordained. The ordina
tion was to this eS'ect : " You, Edward Taylor, are called to this church
at Westfield, into the office of a pastor, and having accepted their call,
we do here, in the name of Christ, pronounce you pastor of the church."
Previous to this tirae, however, naraely, in 1674, he had been mar
ried to Elizabeth, daughter of the eminent and useful rainister of the
church in Norwich, Conn., Jaraes Pitch, D. D.
Little is now known of the forras of love-making in those days ;
unless we take Sir Charles Grandison as a fair exponent. The sub
stance we may presume the same in all eyes. But if we may forra our
judgraent from the instance of letter writing, which has come down to
us from Mr. Taylor, we raust presume it to have been hardly more a
sinecure, in those tiraes of the puritans, than it was in the days of the
good old patriarch, Isaac.
For a long time,' he was the only physician within many miles of
Westfield. He accordingly provided himself with medical, as he did
with theological and other books, by transcribing. I have a small book
of this kind, inscribed on the title page: "Such things as are herein
contained are the Principalis of Physick, as to the practical part thereof,
being extracts of that faraous Physician, Riverius."
It would give me great pleasure to add further notes in his religious
and literary labors, but I ara adraonished that I have already fairly
subjected myself to the imputation of what the old gentleman would
have denominated " cacoephes scribendi."
I will therefore close with an extract from a note written by President
Stiles, on some blank leaves of the medical book just referred to.
Yours respectfully, Henry Wyllys Taylor.
Great-grandson of the Rev. Edward Taylor.
" My mother was the daughter of the Rev. Edward Taylor, A. M.,
Pastor of the Congregational Church in Westfield, in Massachusetts.
He was an excellent classical scholar, being raaster of the three

156 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
learned languages, a great historian, and every way a very learned
man  In December, 1671, being, as near as I can learn, about
twenty-nine, he began to preaoh at Westfield, where he continued in
the ministry fifty-seven and one-half years, to his death, June 24, 1729,
getat eighty-seven. He married his first wife, Noveraber 19, 1674.
His church was not gathered, nor was he ordained till 1679, as the
settlement was small. He had fourteen children, six of which were by
Mrs. Ruth Wyllys, a second wife, whora he raarried June 2, 1692 ;
one of which six was Kezia, my mother, who left me, her first and only
child, at her death, December 4, 1727, M, twenty-five and one-half
years. I was born Noveraber 29, 1727.
" The creater part of grandfather's Ubrary descended to me, but did
not entirely come into my hands, till after the death of my father. Rev.
Isaac StUes  Characteristic anecdotes, very curious in botany,
minerals and natural history. He was an incessant student, but used
no spectacle glasses to his death. I have a raanuscript folio of six hun
dred pages, his coramentary upon the Evangelists. He was a vigorous
advocate for Oliver Cromwell, civil and religious liberty. A Congre
gationalist in opposition to Presbyterian church discipUne. He was
physician for the town all his life. He concerned himself little about
domestic and secular affairs. Attended to all the pubUc state of the
provinces and the Parliament ; greatly detested King James, Sir Ed
mund Andross and Randolph ; gloried in King William and the revo
lution of 1688 ; felt for the dissenters in all their apprehension in Queen
Ann's reign, and triumphed in the House of Hanover. He had a
steady correspondence with Judge Sewall of Boston, who duly com
municated to him all the transactions in the assembly, and occurrences
in the nation.
" A man of small stature, but firm ; of quick passions, yet serious and
grave. Exemplary in piety, and for a very sacred observance of the
Lord's day.''
The late President Stiles of Yale College was his grandson ; and to
him he gave many of his manuscript volumes, whioh, it is supposed, are
still in the library of that college. In one of the medical books, which
he had transcribed, of those which were loaned to him by Judge Sew
all, President Stiles wrote out the above brief description of his grand
father, which also was sent to Mr. Bates, by Mr. Taylor, in the letter
referred to ; and we also copy, in exteiiso, tbe " model love-letter," ad
dressed by the parson, to Miss Fitch, the young lady who was probably
induced thereby to become his wife. Though the lettor, to young la
dies of the present day, raay not have been interesting, as the story

APPENDIX. 157
which Desdomona requested Othello to teach his friend to tell to her,
yet there was more theology in it ; and the " pen and ink " picture of
the dove, with the poetry inscribed within the marginal lines of its pe
riphery, formed with it, such a combination of persuasion, as to render
the invitation, what the reverend pastor probably intended it to be, — a
case of " effectual calling."  '"
A MODEL LOVE LETTER.
The following is a copy of the original letter among the collections
in the Connecticut Historical Society, written by the Rev. Edward Tay
lor, of Westfield, Massachusetts, July, 1674, to Miss Elizabeth Fitch,
daughter of the Rev. James Fitch, one of the original proprietors, and
the first clergyman settled in the town of Norwich.
This letter was written by the Rev. Mr. Taylor to Miss Fitch — re
puted to have been a beautiful and accoraplished lady — during his
courtship, and was to have been read, if opportunity offered, at the bi
centennial dinner, by Colonel George L. Perkins, a great-great-grand
son of the Rev. Mr. Fitch.
Westfield, Mass., 8th day of the 7th month, 1674.
My Dove : — I send you not my heart, for that I hope is sent to
Heaven long since, and unless it has awfully deceived me it hath not
taken up its lodgings in any one's bosom on this side the royal city of the
Great King ; but yet the most of it that is allowed to be layed out upon
any creature doth safely and singly fall to your share. So much ray
post pigeon presents you with here in these lines. Look not (I entreat
you) on it as one of love's hyperboles. If I borrow the bearas of some
sparkling metaphor to illustrate my respects unto thyself by, for you
having made my breast the cabinet of your affections as I yours mine,
I know not how to offer a fitter comparison to set out ray love by, than
to corapare it unto a golden ball of pure fire rolling up and down my
breast, from which there flies now and then a spark like a glorious beam
from the body of the flaming sun. But alas ! striving to catch these
sparks into a love letter unto yourself, and to gild it with thera as with
a sun beam, find, that by what time they have fallen through my pen
upon my paper, they have lost their shine and fall only like a little
smoke thereon instead of gilding them. Wherefore, finding myself so
much deceived, I am ready to begrudge my instruraents, for though my
love within my breast is so large tbat my heart is not sufficient to con
tain it, yet they can make it no more room to ride into, than to squeeze
it up betwixt my black ink and white paper. But know that it is the

158 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
coarsest part that is couchant there, for the finest is too fine to clothe in
any linguist and huswifry, or to be expressed in words, and though this
letter bears but the coarsest part to you, yet the purest is iraproved for
you. But now, ray dear love, lest ray letter should be judged the lav
ish language of a lover's pen, I shall endeavor to show that conjugal
love ought to exceM all other love. 1st, appears from that which it
represents, viz: The respect there is betwixt Christ and his churoh,
Eph. 5th, 25th, although it differs from that in kind; for that is spirit
ual and this human, and in degree, that is boundless and transcendent,
this limited and subordinate ; yet it holds out that this should be cor
dial and with respect to all other transcendent. 2d, Because conjugal
love is the ground of conjugal union, or conjugal sharing the effects of
this love, is also a ground of this union. 3d, Prom those Christian
duties which are incumbent on persons in this state as not only a serv
ing God together, a praying together, a joining in the ruUng and in
structing their family together, which could not be carried on as it should
be without a great degree of true love, and also a mutual giving each
other to each other, a mutual succoring each other in aU states, aUs,
grievances ; and how can this be when there is not a love exceeding all
other love to any creature ? And hereby if persons in this state have
not love exceeding all love, it's with them for the most part as with the
strings of an instrument not tuned up, when struck upon raakes but a
jarring, harsh sound. But when we get the wires of an instrument
equally drawn up, and rightly struck upon, sound together, make sweet
music whose harraony doth enravish the ear ; so when the golden strings
of true affection are struck up into a right conjugal love, thus sweetly
doth this state then harraonize to the comfort of each other and to the
glory of God when sanctified. But yet, the conjugal love must exceed
all other, yet it must be kept within bounds, for it must be subordinate
to God's glory ; the which that mine may be so, it having got you in its
heart, doth offer my heart with you in it as a more rich sacrifice into
God through Christ, and so it subscribeth me.
Your true love till death,
EDWARD TAYLOR.
This for my fi-iend and only beloved
Miss Elizabeth Fitch,
at her father's house in Norwich.
The reader of this letter, does not fully appreciate it, and can not do
so, without seeing the fac-simile of it. An imperfect description can
not db justice to it. The reverend gentleman brought the fine arts to

APPENDIX. 159
his aid ; and rightly so, for love itself is one of the fine arts, and is so
denominated by one of the old Roraan poets.
Our types do not allow us to copy the pictorial illustrations; but our
readers may fancy a "pen and ink sketch" of what he calls a dove, in
the lower corner of the letter, of the size of an old-fashioned ninepence,
without feathers, and looking like a plucked chicken. It was necessary
to denude it of its feathers, to have room to inscribe upon the side of
its body the following couplet :
This dove and oliTe branch to you
Is both a post and emblem too.

EMIGRATION FROM WESTFIELD TO LEWIS COUNTY, N. Y.
We have received frora W. Hudson Stephens, a lawyer in LowvUle,
a descendant of one of the first settlers, a long and interesting letter
of fifteen pages, detaiUng the history of the settleraent of this flourish
ing county. We should be glad to insert the whole letter, but our
limits forbid it. We, however, insert several extracts from it, whioh, we
think, will be read with great interest. The example of their emigra
tion is only a continuing exhibition of the pervading spirit of the peo
ple of that period. It seemed to be a part of their very Ufe, not to
rest; but, when a local habitation was once established, to look forward,
and spy out another place to go to. The emigrants to Lewis County,
were established in the south-westerly part of the town, in and near,
what has been called, appropriately, "honey-pot;" but, a land, flow
ing with milk and honey, was not sufficient for thera. The wilds of
Western New York, the vicinity of Indian tribes, at tiraes hostile,
but, at all tiraes, harrassing neighbors, a life of deprivation and toil,
in " the forests' primeval," and a separation frora the society and com
forts of civilized life, were rather to be preferred, to the safety, the
quiet, and the prosperity, whioh here were within their reach. We
hope that the whole document of Mr. Stephens' will be published,
inasmuch as it throws additional light upon the history of those tiraes.
From Westfield, a considerable emigration took plaee at the close of
the last and coramenceraent of the present century, into what was then
known as " The Black River Country," in what is now (1869) Lewis
County, N. Y. Many of the emigrants became permanent residents
and prorainent citizens.
By the treaty of Fort Stanwix, (22 Sept. 1788,) this county was
ceded to the State of New York, by the Oneida Indians, and became
open soon after to settlement. No map earlier than 1795, had any
trace of the Black River, whieh empties, after a north-westerly course

160 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
in Lewis County, into Lake Ontario ; and as late as 1796, Morse in
his geography represents this river as flowing into the St. Lawrence, at
Oswegatchie, now Ogdensburgh. Fort Schuyler (Utica), on the Mo
hawk ; Whitestown just west of Utica ; and the residence of Baron
Steuben, on the tract donated to him, on the route to the now Lyons
Falls, (the ancient "establishment" of the French Company), were
then the principal " settlements" in the then western part of New York
State. Almost immediately on its abandonment by the forlorn and disheart
ened Frenchmen, in the faU of '96, the tide of " Westfield " emi
gration set into the Black River country.
In 1797, the town of Leyden had a few settlers, and LowviUe, now
the county seat of Lewis County, New York, was thrown open for set
tlement June 2, 1797. Ehud Stephens frora Westfield took the first
contract, for four hundred acres, in Lowville, at three dollars per acre.
Returning east early in 1798, Stephens and Jonathan Rogers, (son of
Jonathan who died at Westfield, March, 1805, aged ninety years,) left
their horaes, and reaching Lyons Falls, on the Black River, embarked
with their families and goods April 10, 1798, on a flat-bottomed
boat constructed by themselves, twenty-five feet long by seven wide,
by the aid of pit saws borrowed of the reraaining French settlers,
and fioated with the stream in a clear day down the Black River to
Lowville, where they spent the first night in a shanty erected in the
woods the preceding season. On board this pioneer boat, from West-
field, were Johnathan Rogers and his children Bela, Polly and Isaac ;
Ehud Stephens aijd his wife Mercy, and children Clarrissa, Apollos and
Harvey and Zebulon Rogers. On the voyage Clanissa Stephens was
swept off the boat by overhanging trees, but was rescued.
The settlement thus begun in the center of Lewis County, continued
to flourish. Lowville is now the county seat, the terminus of a raUroad,
and the bhief trading, financial, legal and educational center of Lewis
County. Among others who settled from Westfield were Ehud Stevens, Rufus
Stephens, his father, Harvey Stephens, Ira Stephens, Truman Stephens,
Col. Zeboara Carter, ofthe One Hundred and First Regiment in 1812,
SUas Dewey, William Dewey, Bela Buel, Putnam Buel, Orem Bush,
SUas Weller, Rev. Isaac Clinton, who removed from his pastorate at
Southwick to LowvUle, John Bush, George A. Stoddard, Silas Bush,
WUliam Sacket, Eli Rogers, Enoch Lee, Captain Winthrop Shepard,
Major Ezra Clapp, Winthrop Weller, Ichabod Tuttle, Philemon Hoad-
ley, Dr. Walter Dewey, who built the first house in Turin, Major Zack-

APPENDIX. 161
ariah Bush, Justus Woolworth, Collins Kellogg, Silas Kellogg, Edward
Bancroft, Samuel Dean, Justus Sacket, Stephen Root, Reuben Pitcher,
Levi Adams, Roland Buell, Bradford Levi, Richard Russell, Jr.,
Joseph and Elisha Arthur, sons of Richard Arthur, and five daughters
of said Richard, and WiUiam King, all these were the settlers in Lewis
County, and they and their descendants are among the prominent citi
zens in the different towns of that county and the vicinity.
The celebrated land purchase of Alexander McComb of 3,670,715
acres, included the entire area of Lewis County. Upon the close of
the Revolutionary War, the uncertainty of the frontiers, and refusal of
the British to surrender their military posts, had a depressing influence
upon the first attempt to settle upon their purchase, the Indians at Port
Regis driving off the first intruders. Indeed, the British at Fort Os
wego, as late as 1792, denied permission to Des Jardines, Pharoux
and Brunei, to pass into the Black River oountry, on the lands of
the Castorland French Company, who owned 210,000 acres, and the
management of which was located in Paris, France. Des Jardines,
who had been chamberlain to Louis XVL, and Pharoux, a gentleman
distinguished in science, were commissaries of the company, while
Brunei was the surveyor, and was afterwards constructor of govern
ment dock-yards, and the tunnel under the Thames, in London,
England. The French settlement began in '92, and operations of the com
pany closed in '96 ; Pharoux having been drowned in the Black
River, Des Jardines, who states he aspired to be called " the father of
the country," being supplanted by Tillier, and Brunei returning to
Europe. 'In looking over the raanuscript of Mr. Stephens, we were struck
with the longevity of these eraigrants, and their prolifical character.
He gives the ages and nuraber of chUdren of these early settlers, and
it was generally the case, that they reached the age of eighty years, and
left a round dozen of children for each family.

EXTINGUISHMENT OF THE INDIAN TITLE.
The conduct of the early settlers, in buying up the title of the In
dians, is highly to their credit. No doubt that they raade a good bar
gain, but, after all, it was a bargain. It was the union of two minds,
of two parties able and wiUing to contract; and, in the case of the set
tlers of Woronoco, the price paid was a good one, considering that it
was a disputed title. It appears already in this volume, that, in two
21

162 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
years after the date of the deed, a copy of which we publish below, this
sarae sachem Alquat, and WoUump, his son, made complaint, that
Amoakisson, claiming to be seized in fee, of land claimed by thera, had
conveyed the sarae to Lieut. Cooper; and though the bounds are not
given, yet, it is evident, that there were conflicting jurisdictions between
the sachem of Woronoke and Pochasuck, as Alquat describes himself,
in the deed, and Amoakisson. We have not examined the records of
Hampshire for the petition, and know not of the subsequent proceed
ings, after the reference to it, by order of the councU. [Vid. : Mr. Bates'
address, p. 55, in this volume, and Records of Massachusetts, vol. 4,
part 2, pp. 504, 505.] The deed was discovered by Mr. John B. Ban
croft, one of our inhabitants, and a descendant of one of the original
settlers of the town, in a package of old papers in his house ; and he
communicated it to The Westfield Times, in which it was pubUshed,
September 22, 1869. The deed is a valuable one, and Mr. Bancroft
has received several tempting off'ers for it. But, in his opinion, an
aboriginal document, the oldest known to exist in the recorded history
of our titles, deserves rather a frame in the Athenaeum of our town,
than in the archives of some foreign antiquary.

\_We copy from the Times, the following,']
AN ABORIGINAL DOCUMENT.
We give below a true and attested copy of the original deed of trans
fer from the Indians to the old settlers, of a large tract of land lying
between " Little and Great Rivers." It wUl be read with especial in
terest just at this time. It was found by John B. Bancroft in a pack
age of old papers which he had in the house. It is a true copy of the
original deed, and was certified to by Isaac Phelps, Town Clerk, June
30, 1669. This is the oldest document, relating to the history of the
town, in the " original package," that we have yet seen. But let the
"old settlers" search their garrets; there is no knowing what may
" turn up."
These presants testifi That Alquat the Indian Sachem of waranoake
and pochasuck for & in consideration of the sum of forty Pounds in
english act being so much sterling to him in hand before ye seaUng &
DeUvery hear of well & truly Payed by ye Capt John Pynchon of
Springfield for & in behalf of Capt Aron Cook, Blr Jaraes Cornish
Mr Joseph Whiting Geo Phelps Tho Noble David Ashley John Roote
& other ye Inhabitants of waranoake alais Westfield. The Recipt
whare of the sd Alquat Doth Acknolidg by these presents and thare-

APPENDIX. 163
with to be fully satisfyed & contented hath Given Granted Bargained
& sold & by these presents Doth fully & clearlly and absolutely Give
grant Bargain & sell unto Capt Aron Cooke Mr James Cornish Mr
Joseph Whiting George Phelps Tho Noble David Ashley John Roote
of Westfield alias waranoake aforesad For themselves and ye Present
Inhabitants of ye aforesad Place or Plantation and theire successors &
assignes from time to time & unto their hires For ever according as
theire severall Proportions or Divisions shall be laid out & proportined
to them. A certain Parcel or tract of Land Meddo & wood Land ly
ing & being at waranoake aforesd on ye south side of woranoake River
ye greate River & on ye North or northerly side of ye Little River or
Foart River adjoining on ye southeast, East and North east on Land
forraerly Purched by Sarai Marshfield of Springfield for the Inhabi
tants of Westfield aforesd and on ye south and souwest on ye Little
River affoar named comonly called the fort River on ye North or North
erly it is bounded by ye greate River called woranoak River & so Run
ing up waranoak river to ye falls near about a mile above ye present
Housen to a raarked tree thare and from that marked tree it runs off'
westerly or souwesterly upon a straight line to the Little River or fort
River to a stone at ye Nooke or Poynt whare all ye good land ends &
whare going up ye hill the pine plaine begins the sd coraraon or Pine
Plain being ye westerly or Norwestedy bounds of this tract of Land
ye line of Division being run by several English going a long with ye
Indian from ye fawls in the greate River over to that stone afore named
which is on the top of the hill by the Little River whare the Pine plaine
begins To have and to hold all ye Parcel or tract of Land before
mentioned containing severall Hundrid acres with all ye profits and
apurtinances thareupon or thareunto belonging to the sd Capt Cooke
James Cornish Joseph Whiting Geo Phelps Tho Noble David Ashley
and John Roote for ye Inhabitnts of Westfield aforsd according as Di
vision thareof shall be made to thera & their hires & assignees for ever
only Reserving & Exemting oute of ye presant sale seven acres of
Meddo Land for WoUunp, son of sd Alquat, which seven acres resarved
and exemted Lyes in a nooke by ye Little River & against land now
Divided and Proportioned to Mr Joseph Whiting & is to be at the soul
dispose of the sd Alquat & WoUump all so Reserving Liberty for In
dians to fish & take fouU and ye sd Alquat Doth covenant and premise
to and with ye sd Capt Cooke James Cornish Mr Joseph Whiting Geo
Phelps Tho Noble David Ashley & John Root that he wUl save thera
harrales from all manner of claim of any person or persons Lawfully
claiming any right title or intrest in the premises otherwise than ye

164 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
Reserve or exemption of ye seven acres aforesd for WoUump In wit
ness whereof the sd Alquat hath hearunto affixed his hand and seall
this 30th day of June 1669.
Subscribed sealed & Delivered in ye presence of Samuel Marshfield,
William Brooks Timothy Cooper John Watson.
the raark of Indian witnesses
WoUump, his mark 
WoUamunt, his mark t
The mark of Al 8 quat.
Alquat ye Indian Sachem acknowledge this instrument to be his aet
and deed this present 30th of June, 1669 before mee John Pynchon
of Springfield. Attested by me Isaac Phelps, Town Clerk.
(A true copy of ye original deed.)

ANOTHER ANCIENT DEED.
We give below, another " old tyme " document which was brought
to light through the research of Mr. John B. Bancroft. It bears date
of October 18, 1702, and was a transfer of certain real estate by
Joseph Atherton of, Northarapton, to Nathaniel Bancroft, grandfather
of Capt. John Bancroft, who built the first brick dwelling-house in
Harapden County, which Barnum Perry now occupies. The document
covers the present horaesteads of Joseph Coburn, David Perry, Barnum
Perry, Joseph Woolworth, Rodney Cowles, Charles L. Atkins, and a
hundred and fifty acres stUl in the hands of the Bancroft heirs. Some
four hundred acres were subsequently added by Capt. John, to the
original purchase, which is included in the property owned by the per
sons named :
To All Parsons to whom these presents shall come, Greeting, know :
yee that Joseph Atherton of northarapton In the County Harapshire In
her raajesties province of the massacusets Bay, In araerica Coxwainer
for And In consideration of six pounds currant money already received
from Nathl Bancraft ser. of Westfield In sd County : hath on this fif
teenth Day of septemo Ann Dom 1702 Anng Regn Regina Anna Nunc
Angl prime : Given Granted Barganed sold and fully and absolutely
passed over unto sd Nathaniel bancraft A certain parcell of Land Ly
ing within the bounds of westfield In a place called Pogassuck being
about tho eleventh part of a furm of four hundred acres, it Being His

APPENDIX. 165
whole share In that farra, as it Lyes In common with others and yet
undivided And whieh Land however butted or hereafter upon division
may be butted and Bounded containing about thirty-eight acres be it
more or less : the aboue sd Joseph Atherton doth for himself and heirs
give and grant bargain and sell And by these presents hath given
granted Demissed enfeoffeed aUenated conveyed Bargained sold and
firraly freely fully absolutely and clearly passed over unto The aboue
sd Nath Bancraft his heir successors, and Assigors To Have And To
Hold : possess and Injoy and by virtue hereof shall at all times here
after quietly and peaceably hold occupie possess and Injoy the sarae full
and clear And clearly acquitted and discharged of and from all, and
all manner of former and other gifts grants bargains sales Leases Leg
acies mortgages Joynters Dowries titles of Inheritance and of every other
Incumbrance whsoever Hereby given unto sd Bancraft for himself and
heirs quiet And peaceable possession of aboue sd Land with all its
Privilidges benefits advantages Coraraonages conveniances Rights Lib
erties hereditiments Emoluraents ways passages waters Springs Trees
tiraber stone and of all and every other appertainance thereunto yield
ing Resigning Releasing quit clairaing Discharging and Delivering All
his Right title privilidg claime and Interest In or unto the aboue sd
Lands unto the sd Nath Bancraft his heirs and Assigns forever And the
sd Joseph Atherton doth for himselfe and heirs covenant Promise And
engage to and with sd Nath Bancraft that at the tirae of his subscrib
ing to and sealing of this Instrura^t and untill Delivery thereoff he
was the true real sole and proper owner of the Aboue sd Lands and
stood Lawfully seazed and possessed thereof having in hiraselfe full
power And Lawful authority to sell grant convey and Assure the same
as a good pfect and Absolute estate of Inheritance In Fee simple with
out any manner of condition revertion or Limitation So as to alter change
defeat reverse or anyway, as to make null and void The sale thereof
And that he and his heirs will and shall at all times Hereafter : defend
warrant and maintain the same to and agst all and Every pson or par
sons Laying any Lawful claim or challeng thereunto hereby deolaring the
aboue sd Land and all and singular the premises To be the true real
and proper estate of the aboue sd Nath Bancroft his heirs and success
ors the which he or they may Record or enroll To theraselves or raake
over by deed or will to any other parson whomsoever And for the bet
ter assurance and confirmation thereof the aboue sd Joseph Atherton
doth engage himselfe and heirs further to do or cause To be done such
aot or acts thing or things device or devices as sd Bancraft or his heirs
shall devise advise contrive or reasonable desire At his or their own

166 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
proper cost and charge : In witness whereof he Hath hereunto sub
scribed his name and fixed his seal the day and year aforesd
Joseph Atherton.
Signed sealed And Delivered In presence of us:
( Joseph Hanley,
¦< Ebneezr Pumrey,
( John Gowdans,
Joseph A. Atherton parsonaUy Appeared this 18th Day of Oct. ^702
Before me the subscriber one of the Majesties Justice of Peace for the
County of Hampshire And did Acknowledg This Instrument to be His
Act and Deed. Cora Joseph Hauley.
May 3rd 1715. Received and recorded in the Records of the
County of Hampshire Book No. 6 page 68th. John Pynchon, Regtr,

PICTURES OF WESTFIELD AS IT WAS.
There have been published, during the past, and a portion of the
present year, in The Westfield Times, several numbers of articles with
the above title. They have reached already forty-one in number;
and it is expected that the series will be continued during the autumn
and winter. It has been suggested, that, though they were hastily
written for the columns of a newspaper, yet, as they relate to the former
growth of the town, and to the men who Ijave lived here, and oon
tributed to its growth, it is desirable to collect and repubUsh them, for
the use of the present and forraer citizens. They cannot be said to
belong, appropriately, to this volume ; and yet, in some respects, they
are germane to the nature of some of the documents and records,
which we have already published. We have concluded, therefore, to
insert a few numbers of the "Pictures;" and undoubtedly some of the
old inhabitants will recognize the originals, from whom they were drawn.

No. 1. — Court street, extending from the Green, as far west as the
foot of the mountain, contained, within the recollection of the writer,
only the following dwellings :
Beginning on the north side, and going west, there was, first, the
residence of Hon. Samuel Fowler, Esq., whioh stood near the present
residence of Hon. James Fowler, his son. The second house was the

APPENDIX. 167
Boise place, then occupied by John IngersoU, Esq., clerk of the court.
The third house was a small building near the south end of Washing
ton street, which did not long abide there. The fourth was the Caleb
WeUer house, so caUed, now occupied by T. P. Collins, and then owned
by Elijah Bates, Esq. The fifth was the Jared WeUer place, on the
top of Pine Hill, the house where Eagar Weller now lives. From
thence, the road ran a distance of nearly four miles through an unbroken
forest, to Ezra Sackett's, where his son Roland lives; and next was
Stephen Sackett's, or Landlord Sackett's, in which house now lives Mr.
P. Atwater. Returning on the south side of the street, was the " Two-
chimney house," a large dwelling, opposite the cemetery, the ceUar of
whioh is StiU visible. Next, at the foot of Cemetery HiU, at "The
Elms," was the old "Landlord Holcomb house," a large estabUshment,
where H. B. Smith's house now stands. It was kept as a sort of tav
ern ; and report said, that people used to assemble there for the playing
of cards. "The landlord" was careful not to have gaming in his do
mains ; and when the fires were kindled, and the tables set out, he used
to put down the cards with great solemnity, pronouncing these words at
the same time : "There, gentlemen, I forbid your using these cards in
my house, in gambling, or at any unlawful game ! " It is presumed
that this adjuration was heeded, as I never heard of any consequent
prosecution. The next house was at the foot of Pine Hill, occupied by
Horace Holcomb, and the same building now standing near its then site.
Then next was the Royal WeUer pljice, at the old Pine-tree, at the end
of Day avenue. Next east was the Oliver Weller house, a one-story
building, where Seth Cowles' new house now stands. A little distance
east was the Stephen Ashley house, on the ground of H. Hooker; and
still east, a small house on C. I. Snow's lot, occupied by William P.
Hodgett. The old Dr. William Holland place, subsequently owned by
Dr. James HoUand, was then on its present site ; as was also the house
of Elijah Bates, Esq., in the shadow of the three beautiful elms, which,
though young, gave promise of all their present beauty. Next east was
the old Israel Moseley house, which was demolished in 1833 by Hon.
William G. Bates, to make room for his present residence. Next is the
Abel Whitney house, since owned by Dr. William Atwater, and now by
Dr. James Holland. On the easterly corner of the lot stood a one-
story buUding, occupied by Elijah Bates as a law office, and by olhev
persons as a drug and grocery store.
On the corner, where the Morgan house now stands, was the raansion
of the late John Phelps, Esq. These were all the buildings then on
this broad and beautiful street. In other respects the changes are worthy

168 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
of notice, as showing the improved taste of the age. There were then
no streets branching off from it ; no Washington street, or Bates street,
or Pleasant street, or Day avenue ; but the cows fed, where now stand
the beautiful houses which are the homes for a busy population. A re
raarkable feature of change is apparent in the adornment of the trees.
There were then the elm in the yard of Mr. Fowler, four or five syc
amores on the Phelps place, in line with the magnificent denizen in the
corner of Mr. Bates' homestead, a butternut in front of Dr. Atwater 's,
the three noble elms in front of the E. Bates place, and one elm in front
of the Dr. Holland place. Further on was the 0. Weller old pine, and
two trees at the T. P. Collins place. But those were all. The branch
ing elms in the centre and along the sides of this broad avenue, which
overarch the street, and interlace their branches, are all a recent im
provement. It may be interesting to know the ages of some of these
noble trees. The three elms at the E. Bates place were planted in 1800,
and the one in front of the Holland place, though so muoh smaller, the
same year; the two elms near C. I. Snow's, in 1830; the elm in front
of S. Fowler's, and the two in front of William G. Bates', in 1835.
In a future number, we shall continue our reminiscences of this old
town, and of its old inhabitants.

No. 2. — We continue our pictures, by a notice of some of the people,
who lived in Court street. Beginning in the order of the residences, we
take first the Hon. Sarauel Fowler. He was the father of Hon. James
Fowler, and Mrs. Francis P. Dwight, of Stockbridge. He was a man
of great wealth and influence, the leader of the Democratic party in
this town, and one of the leading men in the county. His real estate
was large and valuable, and he devoted his time, during tbe latter part
of his Ufe, to its agricultural improvement. He died in 1823. It is
related that one Holcomb, on electjon-day, asked him "who our party
was going to vote for." He mentioned the names of Gov. Eustis and
WiUiam King (then of Maine). Holcomb pondered over it, somewhat
in doubt. At last he said, " Esquire Fowler, I don't exactly like to
vote for Bill King. He is a funny kind of a deputy sheriff', always
playing tricks on people. For my part, I should rather vote for some
sober kind of a man, like Col. Welles."
Opposite to him lived Dr. WiUiam Atwater, a graduate of Yale
College, 1807, and a son of Rev. Noah Atwater, the predecessor of
Rev. Isaac Knapp. He was a learned physician, of large practice, and
a raost interesting raan. To bis last days he was full of wit and humor ;

APPENDIX. 169
and it is said that those qualities were as efficacious as his pills. Such
medicine certainly is more agreeable to take ! Upon the return of Par
son Knapp, from a summer excursion, he met the doctor, a few miles
out, and inquired of him, in his somewhat formal raanner, " WeU,
doctor, how is all ray flock ?" The reply was, " I believe they are all
right, except that sorae of your old rams and ewes have broken out of
pasture." Dr. Atwater died in 1833, leaving one son, William, in
New York, John in this town, and Harriet Campbell of Pittsfield.
John Ingersoll, Esq., was a native of this town, a graduate of Yale
College, 1790, and a lawyer. He married a lady frora the West Indies,
and had a large faraily. When the old County of Hampden was di-
¦vided, he was appointed Clerk of the Courts, and removed to Spring
field, where he died in 1840, in office. Until his removal, he was in
the practice of the law ; a just man, and an honest lawyer.
Opposite to him, resided Elijah Bates, Esq., the other lawyer of the
town. Mr. Bates came from East Granville, was a graduate of Yale
College, 1794, studied law with Hon. Joseph Lyman, then of West-
field, and continued at the bar till 1825, though for several years, his
time was principally devoted to agricultural pursuits, and the Eighth
Massachusetts Turnpike, of which he was a large owner. His attention
was rauch given to the care of highways ; and the work he performed on
Pine Hill, in reducing the grade, has so changed its appearance, that it
bears no resemblance to what it was in days of yore ! He died in 1850,
leaving chUdren, Hon. WUliam G. Bates, Mary A. Warner of Waterloo,
N. Y., and Henry W. Bates of New York City.
It is said that an old lady once complained to Parson Knapp, of the
unreasonableness of pronouncing such a woe upon the lawyers ; "for,"
said she, " there's Esq. Ingersoll and Esq. Bates are really too good
men to be sent to hell ! "
On the present lot of Hon. William G. Bates resided Israel Moseley,
a graduate of Yale College, 1766, and his large family. One of his
sons, Wentworth, studied law seven years, but did not gain access to the
bar. Israel was an infirm man, eccentric in his conduct and notions,
from his youth to his extreme age. .He was accustomed to annoy his
neighbor. Dr. Atwater, by his professed desire for a death-dose, as he
said he wanted to see what there was in the next world. The doctor
at last prepared for him a portion of tartarrcmetic, and labeled it " A
death-dose." He added to it a few couplets, of whieh I only remem
ber the following :
" 'Twill save you from sorrow, your neighbors from evil,
And send you on packing post-haste to the devil."
22

170 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
The patient took it ; and either preceded or foUowed it by a large bowl
of hasty-pudding and milk. The doctor was soon sent for. After
much delay, he came, and with an assumed solemnity, assured his
patient of his hope, that the death-dose would accomplish the desired
result! The old raan gave in. "0, doctor," said he, "I'm dreadful
afraid it wUl!" Medical aid soon relieved him; but Dr. Atwater
never had another call from hira for a death-dose.
Dr. WiUiara Holland for a tirae Uved in the old Holland place ; but
he at last sold out to his brother, James Holland, and removed to Can
andaigua, where he died.
Dr. James Holland at once went into a large medical practice. He
was six feet three and one-half inches in his stockings, and of an erect
and muscular form. At the verge of extreme old age, he was as
straight as any well-formed youth, and performed an amount of bodUy
labor which was astonishing. He had a large and apparently healthy
family of children ; but they have all deceased, except one daughter,
Lydia, and Dr. Jaraes HoUand, now of this town.
There were several other persons, who more recently have moved
into the street, in relation to whora we propose to extend our notices,
in sorae future number.
We can not conclude, without referring to an incident, in those times,
strongly illustrating the power of the iraagination. ' ' The meeting
house " was then unwarmed. There was no fire-place or stove in it,
and no provision for heat, except a hot brick, or soap-stone, or a foot-
stove. There were, besides, no sidewalks, as we have now ; and the
article of overshoes was confined to a few persons. The congregation
used to wade " to meeting," sit with wet feet during a long sermon,
and then hurry horae to those restoring influences, which so effectually
guarded against colds. The project was agitated, of warraing "the
meeting-house." It met with a furious opposition. Dr. Atwater was
one of the innovators ; yet even his opinions oould not dispel the dread
of stove-heat. At last two stoves were put in. Some said, " Oh how
corafortable ! " Said others, "It makes me faint!" On the second
'Sunday, owing to a neglect to provide fuel, no fires were built. But
the stoves were there ! One lady, of Court street, who was annoyed
on the first Sunday, was stUl raore annoyed on the second. She at
first resorted to the reviving fan. She brandished it furiously, but its
breezes could not cool that odious and distressing stove-heat. She
untied her bonnet-strings, threw off her shawl, and opened her cloak ;
but the stove-heat increased upon her. Unable longer to sustain the
fury of the Nebuchadnezzarean furnace, she rushed down the broad

APPENDIX. 171
aisle, and sought relief frora the internal heat in an atmosphere of 20°
below zero. It may readily be imagined, that good old Parson Knapp
was seized with a fit of coughing about that tirae, and that the congre-
tion wondered, how two cold stoves could produce such an inflaramation
in only one person.
No. 3. — Any one who looks, from the hotel, down the beautiful street
called Broad, one-half mile in length, to its termination, at the present
residence of Mr. Thayer, and beholds the towering trees, and neatly
painted houses, which ornament it, will hardly believe the description,
which we now give of its appearance, early in the present century. At
the time of which we speak, to which our first memory of it refers, there
was no house on the street between the Phelps place, on the corner of
Court and Broad streets, and the house of the late Jaraes Bush. The
Green District school-house stood on the Woolworth lot, nearly opposite
the Bush house, and forms a portion of the back part of it. Thence
south, to the end of the street, there were no other residences, except a
small building near the present Deacon Stowe house. The Thayer house
was then occupied by Mr. Araos Fowler, the brother of Mr. Blackleach
Fowler, and the uncle of Charles and John Fowler. There was, also,
on the corner opposite to Amos Fowler's, the large house of Mr. Shu-
bael Holcorab, which was but recently reraoved. A small cooper-shop
stood near Jaraes Bush's house, which was sometimes used as a tenement,
when coopering was dull. All the other buildings have been erected, — the
beautiful trees planted, — the tastefuUy-laid-out grounds brought to their
present state of ornamentation, — within the memory of the writer.
The school-house was a small structure, about fifteen feet square,
with two high, half, or square windows to prevent sight-seeing, a large
fire-place in the north end, and a huge door in the south; a row of
seats surrounding the sides of the buUding, with desks in front ; and a
row of low seats in front of the desks, for the little boys and girls. If
the buUding, as it was when I went to school in it, were to be exposed
for sale now, I presume, considering the high price of lumber, it would
seU for from forty to sixty dollars ! But, in that old school-house, in a
school, kept in summer by a " marra," and in winter by some young
man, who had been for a term or two at Westfield Acaderay, were the
youth of both sexes taught ! Here they learned to repeat Murray's
Graramar, from beginning to end ! Here they committed all the rules
in DaboU's Arithmetic, and ciphered through all the sums, which were
given under the difi'erent rules ! Here they were taught to read, and
to "speak wp loud;" and, more than all, to spell. Here they were

172 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
brought up to respect age, and to take off the hat, and bow to the pass
ers by, in going to, or returning from school ! Not in a spirit of pride,
but for the purpose of showing how men and women can fashion them
selves to greatness, when circumstances are untoward and adverse, we re
fer to the raen and women who were educated in that school-house, and
others of a like kind. Among them are sorae of the best minds in the
country ; sorae of the best-developed business men ; and some of the
mothers, who stand among the first rank of educated women. What a
debt of gratitude is due to thera from the youth of this present genera
tion, for the educational advantages they have afforded and extended !
What an obligation is imposed upon them, to improve these advantages !
A little incident will illustrate the raanner of school-discipUne for
breaches of decorum. One hot forenoon, whUe the pupils were " out to
play," in the shade of the vast elm, which, standing in the middle of
the road, spread its giant arms from the school-house to Mr. Bush's
fence, an old raan, with a bald head, was passing by thera, hat in hand.
A question arose, whether, if one of us should say to hira, " Go up,
old bald-head! " the bears would come out of the willow swamp, in the
rear of Mr. Jessup's, and devour the children ? One of the number,
who was rather heretical on the subject, shouted forth the dreaded words.
Without more than a glance towards the swamp, all but the young her
etic ran for the school-house, and shut the ponderous door against the
bears. He looked closely in all directions ; and seeing none of " the
children-devouring vermin," he marched, with an assumed carelessness,
into the school-room, in all the pride of his bravery. But the fame of
his exploits had preceded him. The rush of the terror-stricken chil
dren to this haven of safety, the sudden closing of the huge door, and
the anxiety upon the faces of all the urchins, aroused the curiosity of
the teacher, and a full revelation of the transaction followed. When,
therefore, the young heretic, in all the conscious importance of his vic
tory over the vulgar prejudices of the world, marched proudly into the
school-roora, what was his consternation, and his mortification, at being
seized by the indignant "mofrm," hauled over her disciplinary knee,
and raost ignominiously spanked! The recollection of this transaction
is, to this hour, vivid, — as much so, as if " magna pars fui."
A few notices of the people in the street follow : The Bush house was
then occupied by Pliny Moseley. He had a large family of children,
one of whom, SybU, married Rev. H. Bingham, and went forth, one of
the first missionaries to the Sandwich Islands. She spent a long life in
her labors there, at a time when missionary duties were no sinecures ;
and after wearing out her constitution, she at last rested from her labors.

APPENDIX. 173
After the death of Mr. Moseley, Mr. James Bush, who then lived in
Main street, bought the plaee ; and he resided there until his decease,
in 1864. He left a large faraily of children, the late sheriff, Mr. Fred
erick Bush, and the wife of Dr. Isaac Woolworth of New Haven, be
ing araong the number.
Major Archippus Morgan bought the Phelps place, and built the cor
ner house. His wife was a daughter of Edward Taylor of Montgomery,
and a descendant of Parson Taylor, whose tablet is in the First Church.
They left a large family of chUdren and grand-children ; Edward M.
Morgan, Homer Morgan, and Henry T. Morgan who are brokers, and
they and George P. Fitch, the husband of one of the daughters, reside
in New York City.
The next house was erected by Mr. Jona. Taylor, then a merchant,
and a partner of Col. WilUam Hooker, in a store where Colton's drug
store now stands. When he removed from Westfield to Andover, it
was sold, and subsequently remodeled by Caleb Alden, Esq., now of
Springfield, who sold it to Mr. Abbe.
The next house was erected by John H. Stowe, the son of Dea.
Stowe, who still resides there.
On the opposite side of the road, and next the Academy building, now
the High School, is the house which was formerly the law office of Elijah
Betes, Esq., which was reraoved there by the late Maj. Ives, and raised
up and fitted as a dwelling. Truly that building, considering its changes
in use and location, has been " a stranger and a sojourner " on the earth.
Next south, was a small house of Rufus Gillett's which forms the
back part of the Maj. Ives house. Maj. Ives removed into this town
from Otis about 1820 ; purchased the Gillett lot and fixed up three old
houses, which stand between the Academy yard and the Talmadge lot.
He occupied the one in the center, his son, Maj. Matthew, Jr., the
north one, and the other was rented.
The Talmadge house was buUt by Edwin Moseley, the son of Israel,
of " death-dose " notoriety. When he left town, it was purchased by
the late Elisha G. Talmadge, and is now occupied by his widow. He
left a family of children, who are all "well-to-do" in the world, in
their various places of residence. One of his grand-daughters re
cently married Mr. Todd, a lawy^ in Washington City.

No. 4. — On the south side of Little River, on the farm now owned by
Mr. Northam, in a small farra-house, below the hill, resided Deacon Eben
ezer Fowler. He had a faraily of chUdren, who have all emigrated for

174 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
foreign parts, or have deceased. Deacon Fowler was a just man, always
ready to pay, to the last cent, all his debts, and careful to collect all
his dues. He was a very religious man, punctual in his attendance at
meetings on Sundays and other days ; and though snow, or rain, or
mud, covered the streets, he was sure to be seen, in his conscientious
travel, for the mile and a half from his residence to the place of as
sembling. It so happened, that he had a small debt against Roswell
Holcomb, who lived in the old Holcomb tavern, at " The Elms," on
Pine Hill. He had agreed with hira, to do his whitewashing on a
certain future day ; and he was to begin early. On the day agreed
upon, as he supposed, he was incensed at the non-appearance of Hol-
, corab, with his whitewashing equipments ; and he started and traveled,
with rapid strides, towards the home of his debtor, breathing out his
intended utterances of indignant reproach.
Holcomb, the unconscious victim of these intended rebukes, was
quietly smoking his pipe, on the front porch, in his usual serenity. He
was a decided character. He was a large man, of a dark complexion,
with black, curly hair ; and he had a " big manly voice," so loud,
that, as it was said, his " loud laugh " could be heard from his house
to the "Green," a distance of half a raile. He was a man of great
humor, — a sort of practical wag, — a " getter-up " of ludicrous stories,
which he used to tell, to the great amusement of a bar-room auditocy.
We need hardly add, that he was poor ; and that he was only anxious
for the means of present enjoyment, at the smallest exertion of his
bodily powers, in the way of labor. Upon the morning in question, —
a quiet Sabbath morn, — he was surprised at the rapid strides of Deacon
Fowler, in his every-day clothes, in the direction of his residence ; and
he was stUl more surprised at the salutation of the Deacon. The latter
at once upbraided Holcomb with the breach of his agreement to work
for him that day, in whitewashing his domicile. The quick wit of the
latter at once took in the mistake of the Deacon, as to the day of the
week ; and he, of course, deterrained to raake music out of it. He at
first denied the agreement ; but, upon the earnest asseveration of the
fact, he fell back upon the denial of it, on that particular day. The
Deacon becarae more excited ; and, at last, charged Holcomb with be
ing a promise-breaker, a man who would not pay his debts, and who did
not regard his promise, or his word.
Holcomb, at last, with an assumed solemnity, admitted his poverty,
confessed that his life had not always been the most exemplary ; " but,"
said he, " poor as I am, and bad as I ara, I am too rauch of a good
citizen to do your whitewashing on this day ; and you, Deacon Fowler, an

APPENDIX. 175
officer of the church, ought to be ashamed to ask rae. Think not,"
said he, "that, because you live in a retired place, beneath the hill,
where raan cannot see us, I am wicked enough to violate this day!"
The Deacon did not comprehend this "invasion of Africa;" so he
asked Holcorab what he meant. " You know. Deacon Fowler, well
enough, what I raean ! You think that, because I am poor, and have
to work for my living, the whole week, I am vricked enough to steal
away down to your house, below the hUl, and spend the Sabbath-day in
whitewashing ! " " The Sabbath-day ! " exclaimed the Deacon in un
affected astonishment; "the Sabbath-day!" "Oh, Deacon Fowler,
don't be a hypocrite, too ! You well know what day it is ! " And,
warraing with his pretended virtuous indignation, he shouted out, in
his stentorian voice, " You want to insult the poverty, and corrupt the
principles, of a poor raan ! You — you — you " — but the Deacon was
no longer a listener, though he could hear the angry philippics, ringing
out, like a brazen trurapet, till, at last, the bubble of pretended virtu
ous indignation burst, and a real, hilarious, Holcorab-laugh awoke the
sUent, Sabbath echoes of Pine Hill.
Only iraagine the retreat of Deacon Fowler from the pious denuncia
tions of Roswell Holcorab ! Think of the flight of Lot frora the walls
of Sodom, and his "two-forty gait," from the brimstone, fire and
tempest ! With what a sorrowful heart he entered that house, which
had beheld the daUy devotions of his whole spotless life, and whose
walls now looked darkly and gloomily upon his first great sin ! How
quickly was his person washed, his Sunday attire donned, and with
what rapid, and yet penitential steps he sought the abode of his beloved
pastor ! There he revealed the heinousness of his sin — his forgetful
ness of God and of His holy day. It was in vain, the Rev. Mr.
Knapp attempted to quaUfy, or extenuate, or excuse, his transgression.
In vain he urged, that it was a mere mistake — a mere forgetfulness.
"That," said the Deacon, "is the very thing! The coraraandraent
says remember ! I have not remembered the Sabbath day to keep it
holy ! And, what is worse, I have done this sin in the presence of
this great sinner, who has reproved me with my transgression, and
whose laugh of exultation was heard above the roar of the water at
Dewey's mUl-dara." Nothing would satisfy him, but a fuU confession,
in the face of the whole congregation ; and, after the preliminary exer
cises of the moming service, the Deacon rose, in a seat in the broad
aisle, bent his head reverentially forward, crossed his hands meekly on
his breast, whUe the pastor announced, that an aged and venerable
brother, and an officer of the churoh, forgot that this day was the Lord's

176 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
day ; and having by mistake commenced his secular labors, he now prayed,
that hereafter he might ever remember the day, which the Lord had
made, and that he might be forgiven for his involuntary transgression.
It may readily be imagined, that this incident was a " thing of joy "
to Holcomb. It gave him a new story; and the inquiry, "How was it,
Holcomb, about your whitewashing for Deacon Fowler?" especially
when accorapanied with a "glass of sling," as "drinks" were then
called, would call forth a repetition of the facts, with such supplemental
circumstances as an imagination, by no means barren, would suggest.
We may remark, however, that the narration of the interview was not
substantially exaggerated. The good parson had a quiet humor of his
own ; and, while he venerated the purity of character, he could not
but enjoy, and cause others to enjoy, the peculiar conscientiousness of
one of his deacons. 
No. 5. — In reviewing the recollections of the early situation of the
town, and contemplating its growth, up to the period of which we write,
we feel a strong impulse to confer with our early compeers, to correct
our doubtful impressions, or to assure ourselves of their reaUty. But,
alas ! to whora shall we apply 1 More than once has the beautiful lan
guage of the poet, thrilled upon our raeraory, as we have directed our
thoughts to the days of the past, — " I came to the place of my birth,
and said — the friends of ray youth, where are they ? and echo answered
— where are they ? "
As I have passed down the Main street of the town, from the north
east corner of " the Green," in the direction of Springfield, and have
looked upon the large manufactories, the closely compacted dweUings,
the beautiful buildings, and the large population of that busy thorough
fare, I can hardly realize, that, in the space of my recollection, going
back to a period of ten or eleven years only, within the present cen
tury, only two male residents are now alive, who then were on the
stage of being, and that nearly all the beautiful horaes of our enter
prising people have been recent erections. To begin at " the Green."
Where the Ives block now stands, was a store, occupied by Farnura &
Hastings ; Major Ives removed it, and it now constitutes the rear part of
the third buUding south of the Academy. Adjacent to the store, was
the jeweler's shop of the late Jacob Morse, whose clocks, with his name
upon the face, are stUl in being, and one of which still marks the pro
gress of time, and strikes the passing hours, where the writer now
dwells, as it has done since his birth to the present hour. He was the
father of the late James Morse, of whom we may have something to

APPENDIX. 177
say, and the grandfather of James H. Blorse, our present town treasurer.
His home was just east of his shop, and where the store now stands, it
having been removed into the church avenue. The next house was
the Parks' house, on the ground where the piano-leg factory is situated,
belonging to Messrs Stimpson & Co., and was occupied by Cornet
Parks, a British officer of the Revolution, the father of Mrs. James
Bush, and Miss Mary Parks, deceased. The Stephen Douglass house
stood where the house owned by the "Taylor boys," now stands, vrith
a small shoe-maker's shop adjoining. Douglass had a family of chil
dren who removed from the town ; one son of his lives in the east part
of Hampshire County, and is a useful and respected citizen. Mr.
Douglass was an odd man, somewhat facetious in his manners and con
versation ; and, though I was very young when he departed, I have as
sociated him with Souter Johnny, in Tam O'Shanter. He was not so
fat, as Souter Johnny is represented in the group, but the twinkle of
the eye, reminded one of the humorous representation of the shoe
maker, in the iramortal work of Thom. There was a nickname at
tached to him, by his neighbors, resulting from a word of his frequent
use, and he was sometimes called Smoliker Douglass, or the Smoliker.
The next house was the Dr. Israel Ashley house, where Mr. Thomas
Ashley now lives. He was quite a distinguished physician, and trav
eled over an extensive territory, the only other physician being Dr.
Sumner, and their practice called them to the adjacent towns. Both
Dr. Ashley and his vrife died in 1814, and within a few days of each
other, leaving children — Mary, the wife of Elijah Bates, Esq. ; Mar
garet, wife of Mr. Lyraan Lewis ; Harriet, who afterwards becarae the
second wife of Jesse Farnum, Esq.; and Thoraas, who at the age of
eighty-one stUl survives. Next, was the house of Joseph Lyraan, Esq.,
now owned by Mr. Jaraes Noble, who removed to Northarapton, becarae
Judge of Probate, and Sheriff of Harapshire, and died at a good old age.
His wife was a sister of Hon. Jaraes Fowler, and his son, Samuel Fowler
Lyman, is now Judge of Probate in that county. Adjacent to Mr. Ly
man's, was the Ballantine house, then occupied by Winthrop Ballantine,
and Rev. John Ballantine, or as he was called, "Master John." They
were the sons of Parson Ballantine, one of the pastors of the church in
Westfield, one of whose daughters raarried Gen. John Ashley of Sheffield,
the father of the late Maj. WUliara Ashley, who was the father of Mrs.
Jane P. Bates. " Master John " was a marked character. He was a
man of much learning, of great reading and study, and in some of his
characteristics he resembled the Rev. Abel Sampson, whose character
has been so well described by Sir Walter Scott, in Guy Mannering.
23

178 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
He was small and erect in his figure, with long iron-gray hair, combed
back ; a marked face, a marked raanner of expression, accorapanied by
a slight brogue ; his voice harsh and unmusical ; and when he sang, which
he commonly did " in meeting,'' he followed the choir a note or two be
hind, so that his singing produced a raarked sensation, especially among
the young worshipers, who seemed to take much delight in his remark
able discords. Like Mr. Sampson, he was never married ; his time be
ing devoted entirely to study, and in taking charge of the town li
brary, which was kept in his chamber. He was licensed to preach ; but
he never received " a call," except at times to supply the pulpit when
Parson Knapp was absent. It is narrated of him, that on one of these
occasions, there had been for a long time no rain, and the earth was dry
and parched. " Master John " prayed earnestly for the dews upon the
mown grass, and showers that water the earth ; and after several weekly
petitions, his prayers were answered. The windows of heaven were
opened, and down came the torrents, that made up the Jefferson fiood.
The river rose to an unprecedented hight. The meadows were over
flowed, and still the waters increased so as really to alarm the people.
Sunday carae, and with it, " Master John," in the sacred desk, indicat
ing by his manner that something was to be done, and that quickly.
He modestly referred to the earnest petitions he had offered up for the
"cisterns of the sky," and the discharge of their contents upon "the
thirsty ridges of the field," and how abundantly that petition had been
answered ; and in view of the fact, that apparently a deluge was im
pending, he broke out into the following eloquent supplication : " Lord,
Lord, stay thy hand ! 0, stay thy hand ! Enough ! enough ! art
thou a going to drown us out?" It is said that the rain ceased, the
waters subsided, and the woodchucks, and other dwellers in the holes
of the earth, who had been drowned out, as " Master John " feared the
people would have been, returned to their burrows, or dug new holes
above high water mark. As I intend to finish his portraiture at one sit
ting, I add another anecdote which I listened to, when a boy, much of
the interest of which will be lost to those who never heard the formal,
pompous language of "Master John," affected as it was by a slight
paralytical shake. He had a very small dog, who was very fond of
amusing hiraself, by running after sheep. As he wished to correct this
propensity in the dog, he applied to his neighbor, Stephen Douglass,
for the proper directions. Douglass told him there was no difficulty,
and if he would bring up the dog to his shop, he would cure him. The
dog was brought. But we can not do it justice. Take the stand,
"Master John," and toU your own story. " [ went to my neighbor,

APPENDIX. 179
\
the smolalcer, hira who raendeth the shoes, and inquired of hira, if Pank
could be cured of his vicious propensity in foUowing after the sheep ?
He answered that there was no difficulty, and that if I would bring
Pank unto him, he would be instrumental in his cure. Accordingly,
I brought Pank to the shop of the smolaker. He at once connected
a short rope to the collar of the dog ; and having caught a huge ram of
his flock, he affixed the rope to the horns of the ram. He then ceased
to restrain the ram, and at the same time shook his leathern apron ; this
affrighted the ram, who ran across the field with amazing velocity, Pank
following him unwillingly, and with unequal steps. When they ap
proached the bounds of the field, the ram leaped the fence ; and as he
descended on the other side, he brought poor Pank's head against the
rail, and he expired on the spot."
The Ballantine house was a large mansion, in front of which, stood
two large elm trees ; one of them was the largest tree in the town, nor
do I recollect ever to have seen its equal. It was cut down, in barbar
ous taste, because, as it was said, the roots and shade injured the neigh
boring gardens. The next house was the Squire Fowler house; the
building is now standing, on the corner of Main and Cross streets.
Hon. Samuel Fowler resided there, before his reraoval to " the Green."
Next east, was the Capt. Mather house, still standing. Capt. Mather
married the daughter of Edward Taylor, Esq., of Montgomery, sister
of Mrs. Archippus Morgan. They had a large family of children.
Sophia, married Dr. Pitch of South CaroUna, who left one daughter.
Cynthia is the wife of John B. Eldredge, Esq., of Hartford, the Presi
dent of the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company. Rowland Mather
is a wealthy merchant in Hartford, and has a faraily of children.
Samuel Mather was bred a farmer, and worked hard with his father on
the "paternal acres; " but on the death of his family, being worn down
with his severe labor, he took up his abode with his sister, Mrs. El
dredge, where he resided untU his death. He conceived the idea of
founding an Atheneum, where, for a sraall sura, the inhabitants, and
particularly the youth of the town, might have access to books, and
have a place in which to spend their evenings, in the joy of social con
verse, and the improvement of their minds, without being forced,
as it were, into the saloons either of drink, or gaming, or both, or into
other situations of temptation to vice and crime. With this view, after
a fuU consideration and consultation, he paid, in government bonds, the
sura of $10,000, for the purpose of providing for the warming, and
lighting the Atheneum building, paying the salary of a librarian, and
other incidental expenses, it being understood, that the building was to

180 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
be presented by Mr. Harrison, and the books purchased by dona
tions of citizens of the town. As we all know, the building has been
generously given, and several liberal donations have been raade; but,
we are ashamed to say, that very raany of our citizens, those too of
wealth, and who have families, who need the necessary culture, are not
yet among the contributors. It was a glorious act of Mr. Mather, and
it will hand down his name in the rolls of gratitude. Who can esti
raate the result ? Who can foresee how much of an impulse he will
have given to moral, intellectual and religious culture, and how many
persons may be saved, in the future, from degradation and ruin.
But to retrurn from this pleasing digression. Next east of Capt.
Mather's was the house of Charles King, standing on the Tryon lot ; and
still further east, and the last house on the east side of Main Street, was
the Landlord Fowler tavern. It is said that General Burgoyne, when
he passed through this town as a prisoner from the field of Saratoga,
spent the night at this tavern, and with true military politeness, kissed
the wife of the landlord, on the raorning of his departure. The house
is still standing, and in good repair, though it has not been used as a
tavern, within my memory. I propose to reserve the other side of Main
Street for another number.
No. 6. — Before we cross over to the north side of Main street, we
insert a recollection of a story of the Rev. John Ballantine, the father of
"Master John." We do not vouch for its truth, and therefore, some
parts of it raay invade the realra of fable. But, "I tell the tale as it
was told to rae."
After the parson was settled, Uke other clergymen, he looked about
hira for an helpmeet; and as the outgoings and incomings of a par
son, in the matrimonial paths, are often the subject of particular regard,
especially to those who have marriageable daughters, — and we suspect,
that the subject waa of still more interest, at a time when the office of
pastor was, raore than now, a higher office than it is at present, even
as a railitia captain was as great a man then, as a major general now, —
it became a question of great interest to the people, who was to be in
stalled, as the feraale colleague of the pai-son. Ruraor soon reported,
that he had looked over the heads of the spinsters of his town, and cast
his affections upon a kinswoman of Governor Winthrop of Boston. She
was highly spoken of, as a lady of talent and virtue ; but she had been
bred up in a style of refinement and luxury, and, upon great occasions,
was accustoraed to array herself in a silk gown! The deacons felt con
strained, by the irapelling force of public sentiraent, to reraonstrate with

APPENDIX. 181
their pastor, and admonish him of the danger of importing such an ex
ample of extravagance into such a staid, quiet and rural population as
Westfield. He listened to thera attentively, and considered tbeir argu
ment, and finally proceeded to do, as men usually do, when infatuated
with a lady of a kindred spirit, — he married her.
A short time after she had assumed the discharge of her duties, he
invited his deacons to a sort of pastoral dinner. It was gotten up in a
style, which was unusual to the men of this priraitive town. She pre
sided at the table with grace and dignity ; and by her polite attention to
the supply of the wants of her guests, her_ apt conversation, and her
kindly, though stately raanner, she almost overcome their preconceived
prejudices. After the repast was over, and she had retired, leaving
the gentlemen to the enjoyraent of their tobacco, and those lubricating
adraixtures, in which it is said, the worthies of that period took great
delight. Parson Ballantine reminded them that they had had an oppor
tunity of observing his wife, in the sphere of her new duties ; and he
asked them, successively, beginning at the eldest, how they were pleased
with Mrs. Ballantine ? He replied that he liked her well ; she was a
handsome and accoraplished lady. She presided at the table with the
dignity of a queen, and the courtesy of an angel. Her raeat was done
to a turn, and her puddings and pies had a raelting richness about them,
which had never been equalled. "But, reverend sir, there is that silk
gown ! I observed how it shone, and rustled. It was a sort of snare
to my own eyes ; I could hardly help being tempted to imagine how my
own wife and daughter would look in one of those robes of satin ; and
if such is the case with rae, how will it be with those who have not the
sarae restraining grace? " Thus this deacon struck the key-note, and all
the others vibrated in unison. All admired her; all wondered at her
accomplishments; but all of them were distressed at that silk gown;
and they lamented, that suoh a highly educated, virtuous, affable, and
intelUgent woman, should have her affections so strongly placed upon
the vanities of this world.
At the conclusion of these expressions of opinion, the good pastor
pondered for a few moments in deep thought, and at last observed to
them : — "I see, my dear brethren, that no one of you seeras exactly to
be satisfied with Mrs. Ballantine ; and as you do not feel inclined to
take her yourselves, I will thank you to let her alone, and I wUl keep
her myself."
No. 7. — The first house upon the north side of Main street, at the
corner of " the Green," at the time of my first recollection, was the Joel

182 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
Farnam house. It is the same building, which now stands north of
the brick building on the corner, from whence it was removed for the
erection of the latter. The house next north of it, then cornered upon
it, fronting on Elm street, and was used as a rent. Mr. Farnam was a
partner of Benjamin Hastings, and their store was, what is now, the
rear portion of one of the Major Ives' houses, and stood on the site of
the Ives-corner brick building. They failed in business, and removed,
Farnam to Albany, N. Y., and Hastings to Hartford, Conn. They
had nuraerous children, and though unfortunate in business, there was
no stain upon the character of either of thera. Henry Hastings, now
of this town, was one of the sons of Benjamin, and has returned hither
in poor health, to spend his life here.
Where the Second Congregational Church now stands, stood the
" Tavei'n," as such places were then called, of Gad Palmer. But the
word " Tavern " is now obsolete. The word was first supplanted by
'¦•Hotel," and at last " House," with a prefix, has become the style. If
a guest were to speak to the landlord, (or we suppose we must sink the
"landlord," too, and call him the "proprietor,") about his Tavern, he
would feel indignant, and perhaps order him to leave his " House."
He would feel soraewhat like the Londoner, upon an occasion, when, at
the request of an American, he pointed out to him the King. The
Araerican was surprised at the plainness of his appearance, and ex
claimed, " Is that stupid-loooking chap the king?" "Gracious heaven!"
cried out the Londoner, " do you call his most gracious Christian
majesty a chap ? "
But we return to Mr. Palmer's tavern, for we love to Unger around
" that once familiar word," and we would gladly shut up house, bid
adieu to house-keeping, for a time, at least, and linger about such a
tavern as he and his wife kept. We sigh for the past, when we think
of it. So clean, so neat, the table and bed linen so white, the parlors
so pleasant, the table so spread with a very few dishes, shining Uke
polished ivory, and the food upon them so perfectly cooked and flavored,
suoh an air of quiet and repose, all about the premises, no noise, no
tumult, no carousing, no swearing, — it realized, in its full perfection,
the idea of " a traveler's home ! " " Carousing and swearing," did
I say ? Ben Wade could not swear there ! Saulsbury could not
get drunk there ! Neither of them could meet the calm, mUd eye of
Uncle Gad ; and if they were to call for a second glass, he would gently
remind them, that they had had enough. The justices of the Supreme
Court, in their journeys to Lenox, were accustomed to ride over on
Saturdays, and spend a quiet Sunday at Palmer's tavern, and resume

APPENDIX. 183
their journeys on Monday ; and the old Solicitor-General Davis, who
was no mean judge of " the creature comforts," was glad to bear them
company. I well remember the enthusiasm with which this famous epi
cure used to speak of the joys of Palmer's tavern, and how he would
rhapsodize over her coffee.
Next, and near to it, was the house of Mr. Hastings, subsequently
owned and occupied by the late Elijah Arnold ; and next to that was
the house of Major Douglas, now occupied by Charles C. Fowler. A
large willow tree stood in front of the house, which spread its giant
branches over the roof and the road. The Major had a large family
of children. Capt. Charles Douglas, and Lucy, the first wife of Hon.
James Fowler, died in their native town ; the other children removed
from horae ; sorae of them to the vicinity of Trenton, N. Y. ; but there
are Uving a large number of their children, of talent and character,
who stand high in the estimation of the world.
Where the house of Deacon Chadwick now stands, was an old house
of Enoch Clark. He died there. His eldest son, Enoch, reraoved to
Ohio, his daughter, the wife of Mr. Swan, formerly of the Woronoko
House, to Cincinnati, 0., and Rev. Perkins K. Clark is the pastor of
the church at Mittineaque. There was an old potash-building, standing
where the cottage, recently owned by the late William Stimpson now
stands, which was pulled down. In 1834, Mechanic street was opened,
by Jonathan Taylor, A. Post and William G. Bates, assignees of Rob
ert Whitney. There was considerable debate about the propriety of
opening it. The lot owned by Mr. Whitney was appraised at $1,000 ;
and the question was, whether the building lots would sell for that sum.
One of those gentlemen agreed to make up any deficit ; and the heirs
of Mr. Clark consenting to give a portion of the land, the street was
opened. In this way a large number of building-lots were created.
An auction was had ; all the lots were sold ; one of the assignees pur
chased several of them. The sale amounted to a considerable excess
of the appraisal, and for the lots which he purchased, he received an
enhanced price. Every one, who now passes through that beautiful and
densely populated street, will wonder at the doubt which was then ex
pressed, about the growth of Westfield.
The next house is that in which the late Lyman Lewis lived and
died ; and next to that, were the house and cabinet-maker's shop of
Erastus Grant, who recently died at the advanced age of ninety
years. He was a decided, energetic, passionate man, prompt in all his
business, with an iron will,. and a determination which never paused in
its purposes. He kept a large number of workmen and apprentices in

184 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
the shop, which now stands, as a dwelling, adjacent to the old mansion,
now undergoing repairs at the hand of Mr. Frederick Bush, the late
sheriff. His passions, now and then, led him into difficulties, but which
were in themselves laughable. One day it was announced in the shop,
that his hog was in Mrs. Lewis' garden. He at once turned out all his
hands, caught the hog and put it back in the pen ; and he used a large
quantity of material in raaking the pen hog-proof. But, alas, in a few
days word was brought that the hog was again in that garden. " Tum
out," said he, " catch him ! " Every hand ran with him, and the catch
was made. Four men, each at a leg, carried the unruly animal to the
pen, 'and were about to put it in his old home. " Not there, not
there," said he, " he has got out once ! Take him to the shop ! " It
was done — for an authority, prompt as military, abided there. "Lay
him on the block ! " It was done also ; and then, with his hatchet, he
cut off the hog's head ! "There ! " cried he, " get into Mrs. Lewis'
garden again, will you?"
A few years ago, Rev. Dr. Davis submitted the question to his parish
ioners, whether they would keep Saturday or Sunday night ? And he
requested each one to express his opinion in writing, as he said it was
desirable to have an uniformity araong his people in keeping the whole
of the Lord's day. The answer of Mr. Grant was characteristic of the
man. It ran thus : '
" I am not strenuous ; but I always have kept Saturday night, and
I always shall. E. Grant."
Close by the shop was a small, brick, district school-house, and then
the house of Mr. George Morgan, who died there. His family have
all removed, except his widow and the wife of Mr. Reuben Loomis of
Court street The next house east, was that of Mr Jeremiah Moseley,
in which George H. Moseley now lives. The old meeting-house for
merly stood on the corner, this side of the meeting-house, and it was
burned early in the present century, before my birth. The "Court-
end," or center of the town was, at that time, there. There were held
the town-meetings; there was Mr. Eager's store; and there that in
dispensable adjunct of a town-meeting, the large tavern. But, as
business began to concentrate about "the Green," and the principal in
habitants to follow the current of business and trade, there was a very
natural desire for a central sanctuary; and, probably to anticipate a
quiet division, some over-zealous " reconstructionist" applied the torch.
It was said, that the universal people mourned the loss of an excellent
bell, and the town clock. It is a pity, at least, that the clock was burned,
as it would be useful in correcting the irregularities of the rickety

APPENDIX. 185
thing, which now counts the unequal hours in the turret of the First
Congregationalist Church. Mr. Moseley had a large faraily of chU
dren, one of whom' was the wife of the late Major M. Ives, Jr., and who
died, leaving one daughter, wife of Mr. Wood of LouisviUe, Ky. ; and
the only remaining one of them now alive, is George H. Moseley, The
next house east, is the Henry Taylor house, now owned by his son,
Hezekiah. Mr. Taylor died several years ago, leaving a family of chil
dren. Next stood the old red house of Jedediah Taylor, on the bank of the
river. He also had a large faraUy of children, and died at a good old
age. In fact, it was fashionable and coramon in Westfield, in those
days, to have large children, and large families of children. Many of
the householders aimed at a dozen, and few fell short of half that num
ber. If they did so, they commonly raade up in length and quantity,
the lack of nurabers. Mr. Taylor was one of the largest farmers in
town, a grave, quiet man, and no one stood higher than he did, as a
judge of stock. And here let it be remembered, that his son, Major
George Taylor, came honestly by his knowledge on this subjeot; as
those who remember the "steer," and who bought their steaks and
roasting pieces can testify. It is said, that the judgment of the Taylor
family, in regard to the weight of cattle, was so correct, that it was
used to test the accuracy of Fairbanks' scales.
The first meeting-house in this town stood near the house of Mr.
Taylor, on the spot where, until recently, was the town pound. It was
a small building, and was taken down, about the time the one was erected,
which was afterwards burned. Both of them had large, square, upright
pews, with few of the conveniences for hearing, resting, and keeping
comfortable, during an intolerably long sermon, that modern houses of
worship afford.
I believe I have noticed all the residences In Main street, at the pe
riod of my early raeraory, and I think I oan reraeraber the erection of
all the others in that busy thoroughfare. I propose to go into some
other street in my next number.

No. 8. — Beginning at Squire Fowler's corner, as it was called,
though it was not angular but round, the first buUding north of the
house, was the Ashbel Eager store, where J. H. Morse and Dr. H. Hol
land trade. He had removed from the old location near the old meet
ing-house, to " the Green," and kept the store in the buUding in which also
was kept the post-office, and which was burned with the tavern in 1833.
24

186 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
The store and post-office had closed shutters, and it was said that the
latter was occasionally used for a social garae of cards. On one of these
occasions, on a Saturday night, an unusual interest was taken in the
game, and some small sums of money were hazarded. Entertainments
also were provided, of which those who did not engage in the play, of
course, partook. At last, drowsiness invaded the revellers, and they
concluded to go home. What was their surprise, to see, on opening
the door, that the day was breaking, and that tbe snow, which had
fallen noiselessly during the night, was some three feet in depth. Their
grief, at once became audible. " What wUl my wife say?" said one,
" How shall I get into my house ? " said another, " When the people
come to meeting, they wUl see the trails from this office to all the
points of the compass, and every one wUl know what has been going on,
and who has been engaged here ! " said a third. Amid the varied
expressions of regret, one of the company, who seemed to feel more
sorrowful than the rest, at last broke out in the following lamentation :
" You have played cards, jjnd made money ! Tou have played and
lost raoney ! you have come out about even ! you all have enjoyed
the gaming ! but I have done nothing but mix up tbe liquor, and hold
the candle !"
Adjacent to the store was the tavern, kept by Mr. Goodenough, who
ultimately removed to Montreal where he kept a first-class tavern. It
was a large, three story building, with a hall in the upper story for
dancing-schools, baUs, parties, &c. After Mr. Goodenough left,
Joseph Morgan kept the tavern. Then Major Archippus Morgan took
possession, and kept it for several years, till at last he removed to a
hotel in Hartford ; and from there, he returned to this town, and built
the house on the corner of Court and Broad Streets, in which he lived
tiU his death. The tavern was then the stage-house, on the road from
Boston to Albany, and was frequented by a large number of travelers.
It was also the plaoe of resort for the people of the town. It was a
sort of modern exchange ; with an addition, in the shape of a liquid,
yclept ^ip, which raodern "exchanges" do not provide. In the coals of
the bar-room wood-fire, were kept a suitable number of flip-irons ; and
after the small-beer, raade of hops, dried pumpkins, and other ingredi
ents, which compound required an infusion of Santa Croix, or some
other stimulant, to render it intoxicating, had been modified by the
addition of eggs and sugar stirred together, one of these irons was
thrust into the " mug, " or " half mug, " as a dose for two, or one
person, was called, until the liquor was raised to 212° Fahrenheit,
in which state it was passed to the guests, and then, — I declare

APPENDIX. 187
the bare narration, revives the pleasures of my infancy ! and I almost
feel like trying a brew of the article, just to ascertain whether the
flavor which abides upon my palate to this hour, is a true, or a fanciful
recollection ; whether I ara indebted for ray enjoyment to Rogers, or
Akenside. At one of the gatherings at the tavern, the flip had performed its
more than accustoraed rounds, and the sitting had been prolonged to a
later than the usual hour. At last the corapany broke up, and left for
home. One old gentleman, who lived some two or three miles off, was
unable to find his horse. He was a splendid glossy black, without a
white hair upon hira ; and was so well acquainted with the peculiarities
of his raaster, that in whatever state of raind or body his master was, he
would carry him safely home. At the usual hitching-post, there stood a
horse, but it was not his. It had a star in the forehead, and four white
feet, and he disclaimed the ownership of a horse with such vile raarks
upon him. So he took to the road, and footed it home, as well as his fat,
and his gout would perrait. In the raorning, he was in town'betiraes,
with the offer of a large reward for the horse or the thief. He declared
that he had left hira the night before, at the post where that white-foot-
horse then stood ; that no one knew the owner of the latter, and that in
his opinion, the thief had left the old, white-footed, broken-down speci
men, whioh stood, with hanging head at the post, in exchange for his
own high mettle steed. At last, some one proposed to try the mettle of
the abandoned horse. A boy mounted him, and with a little switch,
he started up, with a fine gait; and in the judgment of the bystanders,
was a more valuable beast than the stolen one. Upon looking at the
raouth, to learn his age, the white star began to rattle off, and a little
rubbing removed every trace of white from his face and feet. The sad
dle, too, was recognized, and, in short, the old captain found that some
one had improved the animal by a little whitewash. " Confound that
rascal," said the old captain, calling the wag by his supposed name, "to
make me travel three miles on foot, to gratify his devUtry."

No. 9. — On the site of the brick buUding, where the office of Wil
liam G. Bates, and the store of C. I. Snow are now kept, was formerly
an old wood store, owned and occupied by Mr. Lyman Lewis ; and ^.t
the period of " the late war," as the second war with Great Britain wsis
called, it was reraoved, at first to the present site of the Hampden
Bank, and subsequently, to where the Whitman block now stands, from
whence it took up its Une of march to one of the lateral streets, on the

188 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
west of Elm street, and was at last metamorphosed into a dwelling-
house. The brick store, first spoken of, was erected about the year
1813, and was the first erection of the kind in Westfield. It was a
splendid building. The step-stones were cut from sandstone, by a
workman in West Springfield, and the store was large and spacious; it
was three stories in height ; and, though it wanted its present piazza, it
was called "the brick store," and regarded as a raonuraent of the
enterprise of the builders. Those who look upon it now, enlarged and
improved as it is, will readily perceive the difference between the
simple taste of fifty years ago, and the ambitious, pretentious, and ex
travagant desire for display, which has become a vice of this age. We
ought, of course, to make our stores comfortable, and to construct them
substantially, and upon substantial foundations ; but, if there was less
of the gorgeous in their appearance, and more of mercantile honor in
the business, and, what is also greatly to be desired, if the merchants
would prefer to pay their debts, live within their raeans, and look with
a proper feeling upon insolvency, it would be an advantage, not merely
to the merchants, but to their customers.
Next north of the " brick store," was a wooden store, forraerly owned
by the late Bohan King, the father of Henry, WiUiara and Seth King.
He was a hatter, and died many years ago. The store was once occu
pied by Richard Falley, who was an inveterate fisherman. He would
leave the key in the door, and with his fishing rod, would take to the
streams, as if fishing was the main business of his life. One of his
friends remonstrated with hira, alleging that his absences incommoded
his friends who wished to buy goods. " Why," said Falley, " I always
leave the key in the door ! " " Yes, but they may omit to leave the
money, or to charge for the goods taken, and so you wiU faU."
" Well," said he, " that may be so ; but, if a store can't support itself,
it's no store for rae ! "
It was subsequently occupied by WiUiam Hooker, Jr., and Jonathan
Taylor, for a long number of years. Colonel Hooker came from West-
ham pton, and Mr. Taylor from Montgomery. The firm was at last dis
solved, Taylor continuing in their old store, and Hooker removing into
tbe drugstore, with Jessup & Co., where Dr. H. Holland now keeps.
Mr. Taylor removed to Andover, where one of his sons, Edward, resides.
Colonel Hooker remained here till his recent death. As a merchant, and
as a man, Colonel Hooker was a most estimable person. In the store of
Hooker & Taylor, there was no jockeying, — no " two prices " for goods.
Every one knew, that if they sent a child for goods, the order would be
supplied, as if they went themselves. There was no marking down of

APPENDIX. 189
a few articles, to a sum below cost, as a bait to cajole customers,
whoever they raight be, and each custoraer went away with perfect
confidence in the good faith of those estimable merchants. In the
long life which they led here, they left no stain upon their mercantile
reputation. For several years before his death. Colonel Hooker was in poor health,
and out of business. He was a most genial man ; always in good hu
mor, always kindly and friendly ; attentive to the sick, ministering to
the suffering and afflicted ; a pleasant companion, as well to the child as
to the person of mature age ; and when he left this world for a better,
he left no better man behind him. "His life was gentle!" * *
"This was a man! "
It may be interesting to the readers of the " Times," to have the
naraes of the several occupants of the public buildings on the west side
of " the Green," during the present half century. Ashbell Eager and
Hon. Samuel Fowler were in partnership in the store where Dr. Hol
land and James Morse now occupy ; then Fowler & Douglass (Capt.
Charles)-; then Farnam, King & Co., consisting of Jesse Farnam, Da
vid King and James Fowler ; then Thomas Ashley ; then William King,
Jr.; then Jessup & Co., and Colonel Hooker; then Dr. Henry Hol
land, and James H. Morse.
The tavern has been occupied by Capt. Adnah Sackett; Samuel
Eldredge ; his son Samuel Eldredge, the father of John B. Eldredge ;
Asa Goodenough ; Joseph Morgan, who removed to Hartford, and whose
son is one of the firm of Peabody, the London banker ; Major Archip
pus Morgan ; John A. Swan ; Charles K. Bingham and I. M. Parsons ;
I. M. Parsons ; Charles Brown ; Lewis Chapman ; A. B. Whitman ;
Mr. Fairfield, and Mr. Pickard, the present occupant.
The brick store was occupied by Lyman Lewis, Robert Whitney,
Deacon A. G. Chadwick,. A. E. Jessup, J. R. Rand, Albert Rand
and George Whitman, Snow & Thayer, Charles I. Snow, and Tim
othy Snow.
The King store, by Richard FaUey, Major Witter, James Douglass,
Thomas Sheldon and King; Loring Palmer, Dr. Clark, druggist.
Hooker & Taylor, and Major Joseph Root kept the post-office in the
part occupied by Dr. Clark as a drugstore.

No. 10. — North of the Great River bridge, the changes in the
appearance of that locality are stUl more marked and noticeable. The
erection of the bridge itself, has wrought a marvelous effect upon the

190 WESTFIELD- BI-CENTENNIAJ..
prosperity of that portion of the town. The old bridge was erected
across the river, in a line just in front of the Major Noble door-yard
fence, the house now being occupied by Mr. Rockwell, who purchased
the estate of the heirs of Major Noble. The latter was a mill-wright,
and an ingenious, hard-laboring man. He purchased the grist and
saw-mill, which formerly belonged to Chauncey Atkins, and which
were much out of repair, and went to work upon them. They were soon
put in a more efficient state, and the public were better accommodated
by his enterprise. He was a short, thick-set man, every lineament of
whose face, and whose every motion indicated the spirit of determin
ation, which was incorporated in him, and which formed a part of his
being. When Major Noble made up his mind, it was made up!
Change or yielding, seemed to be no part of his nature. I do not
mean that he was an unreasonable man, in forming his opinions. So
far as I had oecasion to know him, in that respect, he was careful and
circumspect, and also fair and candid ; But, after he had settled upon
a conclusion, there was the end of discussion and negotiation. The
" ita senatus decrevit! " was not more unbending. I happened to have
several opportunities of observing this trait in his character, as his
counsel ; and I think I have never seen it displayed in a more decided
manner. He made an irapression upon the troops of men and boys, as well as
upon the militia, by his appearance on parade. His large, burly body,
somewhat resembling the portraits of the late President Taylor, arrayed
in a suit of dark blue, with his half-moon hat, and a fiaming red
feather, stretching up from it, and that large, square, stern face, and
those large, glaring eyes, looking for all the world, as if the sword
which he wore was ready to spring outward to his hand, at every breach
of discipline by his troops, or any misconduct upon his lines, by the
spectators, presented an appearance of railitary energy and decision,
whioh the more benignant, and firm look of General Shepard, or the
bustling manner of i*djutant Dewey, with his gleaming spontoon,
failed to display.
The Great River bridge, at that time, was an uncovered wooden struc
ture, placed on trestle-work, and was about six hundred feet long. At
the south end, a causeway was built up to the shore, sufficiently high,
in comraon freshets, to prevent the river ft-om running over it, but which,
in the great spring and fall freshets, was swept away, by tbe fierce and
foaming torrent of the stream. The traveler, who rides along the banks
of the Westfield River, from West Springfield to Becket, and sees it, at
times calm and placid, and at others almost diverted from its bed into the

APPENDIX. 191
canals and flumes of the nianufacturing establishments, which its waters
propel, will be surprised to learn that, in the trial of the case of Dickin
son and Boyle, in 1855, it was proved, that the water rose eighteen feet
in a single night ! It was not to be expected, that a bridge of that kind,
standing on trestle-posts in the rapids below the dara, when huge cakes
of ice from the pond were hurled down against its foundations by such
an irresistible current, could withstand, for a long time, the immense
shock ; and the fact was, that rarely did one of the great freshets occur,
when some portion of the bridge was not borne off by the waters, and
the causeway washed away. The constantly recurring expense of re-
paUing the bridge and causeway, and of rebuilding the parts removed,
suggested to several of the citizens the necessity of changing the site to
its present location. There was a strong opposition to the plan. It in
volved the payraent of land-daraages, and especially damages to the
mill-yard of Major Noble ; it changed the public travel, whioh formerly
went past the old hotel, and the house of Ira Yeamans, Sen. ; and then
the enorraous expense of a covered bridge, with stone piers and abut
ments, were all held up as a bugbear to frighten and terrify those eco
nomical and timid souls, who did not know that " there is that with-
holdeth more than is raeet," which " tendeth to poverty." The result
of a long, and animated discussion, in town-meeting, was a vote, in
which six persons only, voted for the project, in opposition to the resi
due of the town.
This decisive vote, did not put an end to the agitation. The friends
of the project were active and resolute. The books of the town were
ransacked, and the expenses of maintaining the then present bridge,
were exhibited with a startUng amount. But, stiU they were met with
a decided refusal. Fortunately, for the interests of the town, the bridge
over Little River went off at that tirae ; and the raajority so far yielded
to the pertinacity of those rash innovators, as to consent, that a covered
bridge raight be erected at that place, which they hoped would convince
them of their error. It was accordingly erected. The result was satis
factory, but it was not the result expected. Those, who had taken the
lead in the opposition, became advocates of the proposed change ; and,
at the next fortunate flood, whioh, as if to drown out the whole evil ele
ment of opposition, swept away almost every vestige of the bridge, the
town voted to change the location, and to build the present covered
bridge. The erection was completed in 1840; and now, for a period
of over thirty years, the town has saved thousands upon thousands of
dollars, by the improvement, not to speak of numberless other advan
tages, affecting the convenience, safety and comfort of our citizens.

192 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
No. 11. — Noticing, a few days since, the decease of the Rev. Hiram
Binghara, one of the first raisslonaries to the Sandwich Islands, we are
led, by a very natural association, to his wife, formerly one of our citi
zens, and to the circumstances connected with her raarriage, her enter
prise, and its results.
SybU Moseley was the daughter of Lieut. Pliny Moseley, who lived
in the house now occupied by the widow of James Bush. She was
born September 14, 1792, and educated at Westfield Academy. Her
parents died in 1810, and 1811; and she and her three sisters, were
thus left orphans. Sybil was a good scholar ; and when she arrived at the
age of twenty-one, she commenced teaching, in different and distant
towns. She was a remarkably mUd and gentle person in her manners;
in fact, her portrait, taken at the time of her marriage, reveals the char
acter of her mind and heart. The portraits, — her husband's being also
taken on the same canvass, — were sent by him to Mr. Bates, for exhi
bition at the bi-centennial jubilee, and he placed them in the Westfield
Athenaeum. Soon after her connection with the church, in 1812, she
conceived the idea of becoming a missionary. Elijah Bates, Esq., be
came the guardian of the property of the children; and, when not out of
town, they made it their home at his house. Missionaryism was a fre
quent subject of conversation ; and Sybil used to arause the family by her
fanciful pictures of future life, seated in a large rocking-chair, and sur
rounded by a school of Uttle, half-clad heathens, imbibing their knowl
edge of the alphabet, and of theology from her instructions. While on
a visit in Connecticut, she heard of an ordination of missionaries, which
was to take place, at Goshen, who were intending to comraence their
work in the evangelization of the Sandwich Islands; and she, at once,
repaired thither, to attend the cereraony. She was, of course, intro
duced to them ; and, in company with Mr. Bingham, she came to Hart
ford, and, after a visit to his friends there, to Westfield. The announce
ment of so sudden an arrangement, was, of course, a great matter of
surprise to all the people here ; but, in the course of four weeks, the
newly raarried pair started for the place of their future labors. The
occasion was one of great interest. It was sudden. It was a new
thing. The Isles were in a state of savageisra. It was the place of
the raurder of Capt. Cook ; and the inhabitants were accounted as Ut
tle better than cannibals. But, neither she, or her husband faltered;
and, starting in the fall of 1819, with the good wishes and prayers of
all hor friends, she arrived at her place of destination in the spring of
1820. The result of her labors there, in conjunction with her fellow-labor-

APPENDIX. 193
ers, has been of world-wide importance. Those beautiful islands have
been redeemed frora heathenism ; and, though the population has de
creased in its nurabers, yet the people have increased in inteUigence,
and the products of their labor have added to the comforts of the world.
I doubt not, but that Mrs. Bingham was not surpassed, in her devotion
and zeal, and in her earnest and faithful labors, by any other missionary,
who ever went forth to a foreign land. Her whole soul was in the work.
She was, in a peculiar raanner, fitted for it ; and there was a pervading
enthusiasm in her mind, which gave to her whole life, the highest im
pulse of Christian duty.
In 1840, her failing health compelled her to relinquish this great ob
ject of her life. She returned here, the raere wreck of her former
self; and, after a few years of suffering, she died in 1848. Some time
after her death, her husband was married to Naomi, the daughter of
the late Jacob Morse, with whom he lived until his death, a few weeks
since, at New Haven. He was a man of remarkable energy and devo
tion. He aimed at nothing less, than to do his part in the conversion
of the world. Certainly, he took, as we express it, in homely language,
the butt-end of the log ! We can scarcely conceive of a raore unprom
ising, or a more dangerous place for missionary labor. But, on the
arrival of this devoted band, the doors seemed to swing open ; and, in
stead of the perils which their friends anticipated, they entered at once,
into the confidence of the King, and of a people, which was disposed
to listen to their teachings. Mr. Bingham soon became " the power
behind the throne ; " and some of that class of residents, and tempor
ary sojourners, who felt the restraints of wholesome laws, upon un
bridled passion, were accustomed to call him " King Bingham ! " But,
whether he was king or subject, he adhered to his-great work. He sus
tained the King, in his abolishment of idolatry. He formed their
lingual jargon, into a written language. He translated the gospel,
school books, and psalms and hymns into the language of Polynesia.
He introduced these benign influences and improvements, which have
swept away the mud-built hovels of a filthy Indian village, and substi
tuted the elegant residences of a Christian city. He Uved to see an
idolatrous nation, sunk in the lowest depths of huraan degradation, ele
vated to a state of industry and inteUigence, and taking a respectable
rank in the family of nations.
The funeral of Mr. Bingham was fully attended by a large concourse
of people ; and the efforts which he had put forth in human improve
ment, were well delineated by the clergyman, who led in the devotional
exercises. 25

194 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
No. 12. — About the year 1815, there came to this town two bachelor
brothers, — Samuel and Elijah Arnold. They established a store in the
building, next east of the Hampden Bank. In process of time, they
dissolved ; " Uncle Sam, " as he was called, occupying the easterly,
and Elijah, the westerly tenement. Elijah, after many years of bach
elorhood, married Hetty Clapp of Southampton, and lived, until his
death, November, 1850, in the old Benjamin Hastings house, where
are now the Westfield Atheneum, and, rearward, the large buUdings
of the Araerican Whip Company.
Uncle Sara was a marked character. Some people thought him
insane ; others, merely very odd : but all agreed, that there was some
" raethod in his madness, " and some shrewdness in his peculiarities.
He was a large-framed, tall man, with broad, high shoulders, a bright
eye, a well-shaped head, long limbs, with large hands and feet ; and
with a sharp, shrill voice, which could be heard to the extent of the
" Green." He was very plainly and coarsely dressed, usually in a
dark butternut colored suit, of home-made family cloth, made by some
cheap tailoress ; and his coat, vest and pantaloons, all of tbe same color,
an unbleached cotton shirt, a pair of blue yarn stockings, cowhide
shoes, and an antiquated hat, constituted all his apparel, either of use
or ornament. He did not need a great-coat ; for he seldom went abroad,
his locomotion being confined to his store ; and the particular part of it,
where he wore out the greater part of his shoes, being the step-stone,
or the floor of the door- way. This was his stand-point ! When the
weather was tempestuous, or very cold, he would close his door, and
retreat to the store ; but, when the sun shone, or the air was not too
cold, he was constant, as a sentry in his box, at the door, or on the
stone, with a cane, about four and a half feet long, watching every
movement upon the " Green," calling up his customers for a trade, in
quiring of strangers the state of religion, or engaged in polemical dis
cussions, with any one, whom he could provoke into argument. He
was a zealous Baptist, and he took a deep interest in anything that per
tained to that denomination. His partiality for his sect sometimes
brought him to loss ; for his faith was large, and those who wished to
defraud him, sometimes pretended to belong to that denomination. On
a sunshiny winter's day, as he stood in his door-way, a man drove along
leisurely, in front of his store, upon a load of shingles. " Good morn
ing, friend," said Uncle Sam. " Good morning," replied the hare-
lipped traveler, though without stopping his horses. " Here, why don't
you stop ? Whore do you come frora ? " "I come from Becket ; but
I can't stop, for I must hurry on to Springfield to sell my shingles."

APPENDIX. 195
"What's the state of religion in Becket?" "Pretty good, in our
society! the other societies aint doing rauch." "Our society," said
Uncle Sam, " what society do you belong to ? " " The Baptist society,
of course ! I wouldn't belong to any other. I'm an elder in it, in
Becket." " You're an elder, are you ! What are you going to Spring
field with them shingles for?" "Because I can get $3 a bunch for
them." "Well, drive them into tny lumber-yard, there at your left,
and unload, and come here, brother, and get your pay. You'll take
half cash, and half store pay, won't you ? " " Why, I suppose I must,
if you're one of our folks," said the Baptist elder. He accordingly
unloaded, returned to the store, received his pay, related to the de
lighted Uncle Sara, the wonderful progress of religion, in the Bap
tist society in Becket, and after a cordial parting, went to his own
place. A few days after. Uncle Sam directed a customer to his yard for
some first quality shingles, bought of one of " our folks," a pious Bap
tist elder in Becket. He was assured that there were no such shingles
in the yard ; and, on repairing there, he found a few bunches of wormy,
rotten shingles, which were entirely valueless.
It was not long before he saw a man driving past, with a load of
shingles ; and, conceiving him to be the one, he exclaimed, — " Here,
you confounded, lying, cheating, hare-lipped Baptist elder ! Come
back, I say, you infernal scoundrel, and tell me about the state of re
ligion in the Baptist society, in Becket ! " But, whether or not the
man was the veritable person, who had assumed the elder's title, he
didn't seem to hear Uncle Sam's call, but drove on towards Springfield
to supply some person in that market.
Mr. Arnold was a man, who affected to place great reliance upon
prayer. Indeed, he rarely made a bargain, without, as he expressed it,
asking the opinion of the Lord. He purchased and sold raany and
large tracts of real estate, in different and distant parts of the town,
without seeing thera, relying upon the inforraation, as he averred, thus
obtained. Whether this was so, or because, in his nuraerous conversa
tions with the world's people, he was also aided, it is certain, that he
generally, in his purchases and sales, made sharp bargains.
An old woraan, one Hepsibah Brewer, Uved in one of his buildings,
and was a frequent object of his charity. One day she came into his
store, in a hurry, and said : " Uncle Sam, I want a cod-fish." " Go
and. get it then," said he. She started for his back room, and he cried
out, — " Not tbere ! not there ! I've no cod-fish for you ! " " Yes, you
kave got cod-fish, too, and I want one. It's late ! " " Well," said he.

196 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
" I think we'll ask the Lord about it." " Now, Mr. Arnold, what do
you want to be so foolish for? I'm in a hurry for it." " Very well;
if you can't wait on the Lord, go where you can do better ! But,
Hepsy, no prayer, no cod-fish!" Aunt Hepsy threw herself down
upon her aged knees, exclaiming, in no very reverential tones, " If you
want to pray, pray then ! " Uncle Sam knelt down beside her, and his
prayer ran in this wise : " O, Lord, here is Hepsy again after another
fish ! It seems to us, you know, that she comes rather often ! But I
don't know that we' had not better let her have one this time, as she
seems to be in a hurry, and the next time she must go to 'Lijah's or
sorae of the neighbors." As he arose from his knees, he said, "Well,
Hepsy, the Lord says you raay have some fish ; but don't take the
whole ones ; pick out the broken fish ; they are just as good for you,
and they don't sell as well."
Towards the close of his life, it becarae necessary for hira to undergo
a surgical operation. He shrank from it, prayed, and failed to receive
a favorable sign. At last he was prevailed upon to call in Dr. Flint,
in consultation with Dr. Shurtleff, his physician. Dr. Flint, as was
usual with him, was very decided, and expressed himself in rather
strong language. Mr. Arnold finally concluded to ask the Lord. Dr.
Flint said, " I don't care who you ask; but anybody that knows any
thing, will tell you that if you don't have an operation, you'U die!"
He knelt down, in the presence of the physicians, and prayed thus:
" Thou knowest, 0, Lord, that we didn't think it would be necessary
to have an operation; but it seeras thy young servant knows better
than we did. And now he has brought this Dr. Flint, who agrees
with hira. I don't know who Dr. Flint is; but he swears pretty
strong ! Still, Thy young servant says he is a good surgeon, though
he is a hard swearer. But, if he is going to operate on me, I hope
you'll see to it, that he does it in the best way!" "Amen!"
roared out Dr. Flint; and the operation was consented to, readily,
and performed.
He died in the year 1848, at the age of 71. With all his oddity,
he was a very good sort of a man. His charities were not always the
most wisely bestowed, and he was the subject of frequent imposition.
But he was a man of good intentions, and the world was much better,
beoause he had lived in it.
No. 13. — Silver street, more than any one of the principal streets of
the town, has retained its original appearance. The greater part of all
the old houses, which were standing in the early part of this century.

APPENDIX. 197
are still there, and comparatively but a few new ones have been added
to the number. It is a pleasant street, and its position, in reference to
soil, dryness, and other agricultural advantages, caused it to be built
upon early. Each occupant, at the time of the apportionment^ of the
proprietary lands, received an extensive grant ; and the fertility of the
soU, the increase of the property, and the industry of the population,
had the effect of causing their original grants of land to be kept to
gether in families. It extends from Little River, parallel with Main
street, to Broad street, and thence running easterly, converges gradu
ally towards Court street, until it is merged into it, opposite the ceme
tery. At the eastern end of Silver street, are situated the houses, once
occupied by Blackleach Fowler, (Phoebus ! what a name !) Charles
Dewey, Roland Dewey, Tiraothy Dewey, Leonard Bush, Aaron Bush
and his sons Asahel Bush and others; William Ashley, or "Uncle Bill,"
who lived on the site of Deacon Atkins' house, in the old Fort house ;
Silas Root, (the father of Colonel Silas Root, Major Joseph Root, the
flrst publisher of the '¦'¦Hampden Register," of John B. Root of Texas,
and the wife of Major George Taylor,) Medad Fowler, John Stiles,
Azariah Moseley, Esq., Amos Fowler, Shubael Holcomb, Sarauel Lind
say, Joseph Bull, Colonel Jacob Noble, Justus Fowler, Siraon Smith,
Henry Stiles. These persons were the principal inhabitants of the
street. The Fowlers, "Uncle Black," as he was called, "for short,"
and " Uncle Amos," were both tall men ; in fact, they were exaggera
tions, in size, of Charles and John, the sons of Porter Fowler, sons of
" Uncle Black," who are now carrying on "their farming operations,
with an industry and talent, which pertains to their race. Araos had
no children ; a wonderful faot, considering, that, in those times, a large
family was the rule, and even a small one, was the exception ; but he
worked with the same industry, as if he were providing for the family
of Priam and Hecuba. He was very careful in all the details of his
business. He was guUty of no negUgence. All his bars were put up !
All his doors shut ; his house swept and garnished. His extreme care,
in this respeot, at tiraes betrayed hira into laughable mistakes. It used
to be related of hira, that his neighbor and friend, Mr. Sarauel Root,
who lives on the present Alvin Fowler place, in the house now re
moved to the west side of Pleasant street, had arranged with him for a
loan ; and that Mr. William King called on Mr. Fowler, with a deed,
as security for the raoney. After reading the deed, he said, " this deed,
Mr. King, is all right, except one thing ! Sister Root has not released
her right of dower ! " King, who understood the case, proposed to

198 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
him, to mount into his sulkey, with him, and ride up to Mr. Root's, and
have the deed signed. He accordingly got in, and King, sitting in his
tall lap, rode up to Mr. Root's. Mr. Fowler went in ; but in a mo
ment, out he carae, deed in hand, flapping his hands in astonishment,
like an animal of the species, that upset the person and equanimity of
Captain Hector Mclntire, and exclaiming, " Oh, Mr. King ! Mr. King !
only think of it ! Sister Root died last week, and I was one of the
bearers at her funeral ! "
There was, also, a story told, that Shubael Holcomb, and Roland
Noble, became enraged with him, and wished his death. Holcomb pro
posed thus to Noble ; said he, " Roland, I am a Christian, and if I
should kill him, I should have to go to hell ; but, I'll tell you what I'U
do ! If you'll kill him, I'll be hung for you ! "
Among the worthy inhabitants of that street, who have lived out a
good old age, was Azariah Moseley, Esq., the father of Oliver Moseley,
George Moseley, Miriam, the wife of our fellow-citizen, Franklin Bliss.
George Moseley removed to the West. Oliver has a large famUy of
children and grand-children, and the children of Miriam will probably
be, Uke the one spoken of by St. Paul. He died in the year 1856, at
the age of eighty-six years. He was a large farmer, honest and capa
ble ; a peace-maker and compromiser, not an intermeddler and a stirrer
up of other men's quarrels ; a magistrate, a frequent arbitrator ; a man
of good sense, fairness, and of incorruptible honesty, whose aim of life
was, to do his whole duty, to make the world better, and his fellow-men
happier. He was frequently chosen to responsible town offices, and
yet was never a hankerer after office. But he was not accustoraed, in
town-meeting, to be perpetually reminding tbe tovra, that he had been
selectman, or assessor, or representative ; it was rather his wish, to
live in his retirement, to attend to his own concerns, and to leave to
others the ignoble task, of begging for office. On one occasion, he
was chosen to some office, — I think it was representative of the town
— and he declined it ! One of his neighbors, who had never been
thought of, arose and said, that he hoped Esquire Moseley would
not decline ; that, to be sure, office was a burden, but that each
man was in duty bound to perform his part in the perforraance of
publio duties ; let Esquire Moseley, he continued, take the office this
year, and I will take it the next, and you, Blr. Chairman, or some
other man may take it the next year after ! I do not remember, that
the town ever took the latter gentleman at his word, and elected
him !
Another prominent citizen on that street, was the late Asahel Bush,

APPENDIX. 199
the father of Asahel Bush, formerly editor of the "Westfield Stand
ard" in this town, who studied law with the late Hon. P. Boise, and
who is now, and has been for several years, a prorainent editor and
the publisher of the "Oregon Statesman."
Mr. Bush was frequently called to fill the various town offices, and
also that of Representative to the General Court. He caught a cold
at Boston, which settled upon his lungs, and which was probably the
cause of his death.
Another prorainent citizen was Col. Lewis Fowler, son of Justus
Fowler, brother of Alvin Fowler. He buUt the red brick bouse on
the corner of Silver and South Maple streets, on the site of the old
family mansion. He was never married. He was a farmer, a man of
reading and information, a useful and faithful officer of the town, a
representative, and died in the year 1849 at the age of fifty-one. On
the corner opposite, stood the house of the late Simon Smith, who died
several years since. He was a most exemplary man. He raised
a large family of children, one of whom, the late Daniel Smith, re
cently deceased, in many characteristics, strongly resembled his father.
Another son, Charles, is a doctor in Ohio, another still, Hiram, is a
clergyman, somewhere at the West, and there is also Deacon Horace,
who has been residing, and is known in West Springfield and Spring
field. Henry Stiles formerly resided at the foot of the hill, on this street.
He sold his farming lands,'^ and his house, and erected the house at the
corner of Bates and Court streets. He was a skilful farmer. All his
lands were well cultivated, and bore good crops. Even a lot of his on
Poverty Plain, was raade productive ; and corn, wheat and grass were
produced thereon. Not suoh corn, as we now see there, but good,
sound, thrifty corn ! He carried on the business of making soap and
potash, and used the ashes as a manure. Speaking of Poverty Plain
com, reminds me of the testimony of a witness on this subject. He
had sworn, that the use of a lot on that plain, was worth nothing, and
less than nothing. The opposing counsel asked him, in cross examina
tion,  "You say, Mr. D., that the use of that land is worth nothing?"
"I do." "Have not you seen r-j^e upon it?" "I have." "Have
you not seen corn upon it?" "Coarn, coarn ! I have; but good
heavens! what coarn! why, many a tirae, have I seen toads, sit-
tino- up on their ends, and playing with the tassels with their fore
paws ! "
Mr. StUes, in the last years of his life, becarae insane. He Uved an
industrious, honest Ufe. His insanity and death are probably attribut-

200 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
able to his retirement from business, and his removal from those habits
of thought, and the neglect of the bodily exercise, which his nature re
quired as the necessary pabulum vitce. He left several children, one of
whom is a resident of Texas.
We raust not orait an anecdote, respecting one of the Deweys, who
removed to the Black River country, and who was accustomed to come
down every fall or winter, and spend the gloomy months — gloomy to
him in Lewis county — with his well-to-do relations. After a some
what prolonged stay, he was surprised, one morning, to see his host, in
the corner, crying. "Why cousin Tim," said he, "what ails you?"
The host replied, — " You'll never oome down to see me any more ! "
" 0 yes I will, cousin Tim ; I'll surely corae down next fall ! " " No you
won't! Something tells me you won't!" "Nonsense," said the vis
itor ; " why do you think so ? What has put such a notion into your
head ? Haven't we always come down, and spent the winter with ye ?
Come, (jheer up, cousin Tim ! cheer up, and tell me what makes you
think so." The grieved host blew Ijis nose, wiped his eyes, and turn
ing his solemn face to his sympathizing guest, said — " 'Cause you'll
never go away ! " The hint was not given in vain.

No. 14. — In a former number of these pictures, a brief notice was
given of two of the lawyers in Court street ; but it is desired to pre
pare a connected sketch of the members of the legal profession, who
have been educated, or who have resided in this town.
Hon. John Ashley, was probably the first practitioner in the profes
sion here. He was graduated at Yale College, in 1730, and died in
1803. He was one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas,
the father of General John Ashley, of the Shay's war fame, and grand
father of Major William Ashley, of Sheffield. Judge Ashley was much
in public life; removed to Sheffield, as one of the first settlers of that
town, and left a high reputation for talent and character. He was ad
mitted as an attorney in 1732.
I find the name of Josiah Dwight, as an attorney-at^law in this town,
about the year 1750. He, also, becanje a judge, and reraoved from
this town.
John Phelps was also an attorney here. He Uved on the corner of
Broad and Court Streets, in the Major Morgan plaoe.
Hon. Samuel Fowler was the oldest attorney, of whom I have any
recollection. He was graduated in 1768, at Yale College, and died in
1828. His residence was, at first, in the large square house, on the

APPENDIX. 201
corner of Main and Cross streets, nearly opposite the old meeting-house,
which was burned. But he afterwards reraoved to the corner of Court
street. He was not engaged, as I ara informed, extensively in prac
tice ; but, when the War of the Revolution came on, and broke up the
judicial business, he retired from practice, and devoted himself to other
pursuits, raore active and profitable. He was the political leader of
the democratic party, in the town, and one of the most infiuential mem
bers of it, in the County and State. When the County of Hampshire
was divided, in 1812, he was appointed Judge of Probate, for the new
County of Hampden, by the democratic legislature, then in power;
but the appointments of the county officers, being made, before the
county was, in faot, organized, it was held, in proceedings brought
before the court, on a process of quo warranto, that such appoint
ments were invalid, and the opposition in power the next year, filled
them with men of their own party. In person, Mr. Fowler was, as I
recollect him, a tall, spare man, of a benign face, with a most gentle
manly address, and well qualified to assurae the leadership of a party.
He filled various legislative offices in the Comraonwealth, and died at a
good old age. He left, as children, Hon. James Fowler and Mrs. Fran
ces F. Dwight, widow of Hon. Henry W. Dwight, of Stockbridge.
Hon. Joseph Lyman, was here as an attorney, soon after Mr. Fowler
retired. He lived in the house, where Mr. James Noble now resides,
and his office stood on the opposite side of the road, upon the bank.
After Mr. Lyman removed to Northampton, the office was removed,
and now forms the rear part of a house on Broad street. Mr. Lyman
was a man of rare amiability of teraper, of fine personal appearance,
and great suavity of raanner. He was made Judge of Probate, for
the County of Harapshire, and subsequently Sheriff, an office whioh he
fiUed with great dignity and fidelity, until near the time of his death,
in 1847.' There are many of our readers, who may recollect him ;
and, once seen, suoh a person is rarely forgotten. He was a Repre
sentative from this town to the General Court, before his removal here
from.

No. 15. — We were interrupted, in the preparation of our last num
ber, and, accordingly, resume our sketches of the members of the bar
in this town, in the present number.
The Ust of the members of the bar, contains, also, the name of Sam
uel Mather, as a practitioner. He was one of the judges of the Court
of Coramon Pleas, and resided in the old Mather place, on Main street.
26

202 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
John Phelps, Jr., the son of " old Squire Phelps," of whom I have
spoken, was also a member of the bar. He removed to West Gran
ville, when, after a practice of many years, he was appointed sheriff of
the county, when Hampden County was organized.
John Ingersoll, a native of the town, descended from one of the old
settlers, was graduated at Yale, in 1790, and commenced the practice
of his profession here, where he reraained until the division of the old
county, when he was appointed clerk of the courts — an office which
he retained to his death in 1840. At the time of his appointment, he
reraoved to Springfield. He was, in all respects, a most estimable raan.
In figure, he was tall and thin, with a mild blue eye, and hair prema
turely white. He was dressed with extreme neatness and precision ;
not rapid in his walk or motions, but remarkably grave and sedate. In
his business, he was dUigent and painstaking. Everything to be done
by him, was done decently and in order. He was not " a brawler,"
" a busybody," or " a meddler in other men's matters," but was rather
a peace-maker, and "a compromiser," than a stirrer up of strife.
After his removal to Springfield, he conducted the business of his
office, with his early regularity. His venerable appearance, in the
clerk's desk, seemed to impart a dignity to the court; and the raanner
in which he adrainistered the oath to a witness, was, in itself, an adjura
tion to hira, to be true to his solemn obligation. Indeed, a court, in
those days, was a different place frora what it is at present. The judges
were, generally, elderly raen, men of large size, and venerable, — even
majestic appearance. The sheriff, John Phelps,' with his well cut fea
tures and gray hair, his sword and staff of office ; his close attention to
the preservation of order and decorum in the court-room ; his rigid ex
clusion of all persons from within the bar, except the members, and
friends introduced by them ; and his rising, threatening attitude, when
any intrusiop, or noise occurred, to interrupt the decorous silence, or to
infringe upon the dignity of the court; the weU-conditioned, burly
crier, in his box, opposite to the sheriff, with his stentorian voice, ring
ing out the " 0, yes," in tones loud enough to awaken the sleepers of
the church-yard ; the quiet, orderiy, well-behaved deputies, not roam
ing round, Uke unclean spirits, but seated in their boxes, with eyes as
intent upon the judge, and the progress of his proceedings, as were the
Tyrians upon the "pious Eneas," when he began his narration, from
" his lofty couch ; " the substantial, intelligent, good-looking jurors,
with eyes and ears open, and apparently listening for their lives ; and
the spectators, either bestowed in the grand jury seats, or in the seats
appropriated for thera, each one watching the progress of the case, with

APPENDIX. 203
all the earnest anxiety to become the master of it, which formerly was
manifested by Mr. Bartoline Saddletree, of Mid-lothian; the grave and
reverend members of the bar, in their dress-coats, — even a dress frock-
coat being a rare article, ventured upon only by some young sprig of a
lawyer, who had not a proper sense of the dignity of the profession, —
each one giving his undivided attention to the cases, through all the
court hours of the day ; and finally the law students, who, at each
terra of the court, came to the court-house to learn, and stayed in it,
day after day, watching the progress of each trial, taking notes of the
proceedings of the cause, the arguments of the counsel and the charges
of the judge ; — which, by the way, became the subject of discussion on
the ensuing night, — all these, combined to form a scene of impressive
dignity, in the raanner of judicial proceedings, to whioh anything we
behold, in these raodern days, bears little comparison. At that time,
there was a place for everybody, and everybody was in his place. The
bench was the exclusive place for the judges ; except, that, on the first
day of the term, the presiding judge, according to custom, invited the
clergyman to sit in one of the judicial chairs, at the opening of the
court ; and, after the prayer, to dine with the court and bar. The
area, within the railing, was appropriated for the use of the merabers
of the bar, and no one else was adraitted to a seat in it, unless on the
invitation of sorae raeraber of the court. The members did not find
theraselves seated, cheek-by-jowl, with horse-thieves, and other crimi
nals, or feel obliged to occupy vacant seats in the jurors' panel, or in
the boxes of the spectators, because then appropriate places were occu
pied by those, who were attracted by idle curiosity, or who were placed
there, under constraint, until a decision should be had, whether they
were to go " without day," or to attend " the Sunday-school, formerly
kept by Esquire Frederick Robinson, in the eastern part of the Com
monwealth." But, alas, times have changed; and, at least, in some
respects, without any decided marks of improvement. But, I am wan
dering frora the sketches of the bar, and from Esquire John Ingersoll.

No. 16. — Before his removal from this town to Springfield, Mr.
Ingersoll resided in Court street, in the house now occupied by Mrs.
Ellen Barr. There were, at that time, two practicing lawyers, Elijah
Bates, who 'lived on the opposite side of the street to him, being the
other of the duo. He was the oldest child of Captain Nathaniel Bates
of East Granville, and was born in July, 1770, and graduated at Yale,
in 1794. He studied law at the Litchfield law school, of the late

204 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
Judge Tappan Reeve, author of "Reeve's Domestic Relations," and
for a portion of the time, he was in the office of the late Judge Lyman.
As he and Mr. Ingersoll were neighbors, so were they friends. So,
also, were their families. Indeed, the children mingled together, through
the whole period of their early years, as though they were members of
one household : and, after the removal of Mr. Ingersoll to Springfield,
his former friend and neighbor, Mr. Bates, took up his abode at his
residence, as a boarder, during court weeks, until he ^relinquished his
practice at the courts.
Unfortunately for the professional, or pecuniary success of Mr. Bates,
" his plow ran to land." He had a great fondness for agricultural pur
suits. He purchased a quantity of upland-meadow, where now are
King street, Bates street. West School street, and on Pine Hill ; also
land on the plain, in Granville and Montgomery; and, "what was
worse, and most to be deplored," a controlling interest in the Eighth
Massachusetts Turnpike, extending from Westfield to Washington.
This last purchase was " an old man's darling." It absorbed his
thoughts, and his energies. It withdrew him from his profession, and
induced him to leave his practice in the hands of a partner, under
whose management he failed to receive even the " lamb's share."
Frora the interest, which he at first felt, in the success of the enter
prise, it so grew upon him, that he gave it his personal supervision and
labor j and, in its last days, he devoted his time and money to its re
pairs. No general officer, ever felt greater pride, at the head of a
gi-and army, than did he, in the lead of a body of men, in the rebuild
ing and repair of the walls and the wastes of the Eighth Massachusetts
Turnpike. He did his work well. Rocks were removed, stones were
thrown frora the road, gullies were filled, and, in short, expenditures
were raade upon it, beyond any reasonable prospect of remuneration.
At his own expense, he procured, and set up mile-stones, from Spring
field Court-house to Chester Factories, measuring the road for that pur
pose ; and he also opened a new road from the "three-mile-stone,"
on the West Plain, to tbe old river-road, at the Charles Sackett place,
now called " Madagascar." The "three-mile-stone," deserves a passing
notice. Some ill-disposed persons, had from time to time, with a van
dal spirit, broken down several of these cheering marks of the traveler's
journey ; and, among them, this stone, at the fork of the road, leading
to the turnpike.
The doctrine of " total depravity" was, in those days, one of the
themes, which was very frequently enforced from the pulpit, and it was
one, which he did not give unto a cheerful assent. But, when he saw

APPENDIX. 205
his mUe-stones broken down ; when he was made to know, that those
useful, harmless friends of the wayfarer in an unknown country, were
ruthlessly reraoved, by beings, who claimed to be but " little lower than
the angels," he gave up his opposition, and assented to the doctrine, —
in some particular instances, — to its fuUest extent. "I'll give," said
he, "total depravity, one stint;" and, accordingly, at the approach of
the close of a day's work on the road, he repaired, with a strong team,
and a number of hands, to that "stone-quarry," which was obtained
by our ancestors, two hundred years ago, in the New Addition, and
there procured the "three-mile-stone," a load for two yoke of cattle;
and, having dug a hole, it was duly planted, and stoned, only a small
portion thereof, appearing above the surface of the surrounding earth.
Another of his pets, was Pine hill. It, formerly, was not the broad
and gradual assent, it is at present ; but was a steep, abrupt acclivity,
on the curve of the hill, very narrow, and, from the south side of whioh,
the bank descended, almost perpendicularly, to the bushy swamp at the
bottom. This was the scene of Mr. Bates' play-spells. Here, with
his men and teams, his plows and scrapers, he labored to reduce the
grade, and to widen the hill, until it was a complete transformation from
its former appearance.
Mr. Bates continued his connection with the legal profession, during
the winter seasons, and when not at work on his farm, until 1825, at
which time, his son entered his office, as a student, to obtain his educa
tion frora the "genius loci," He then gave himself up to out-door
pursuits, and died at the age of eighty years, in 1850.
In speaking of Pine hill, I am reminded of an incident. A small
boy had a small sled, with which he was accustomed to coast on that
steep hill. The "help," in Mr. Bates' faraily, consisted of a short,
fat, durapy woman, named Bet, and a smaller girl. Thfey importuned
the boy, to give thera a ride, whioh he did, — the girl and Bet being
loaded on the sled, and he mounted, as steersman. After a number
of rides, Bet desired to go down alone, soliciting instruction from the
boy, for tbe guidance of the sled. The hill inclined soraewhat towards
the edge ; and in giving his directions, he mistook, in telling her which
foot to put down. It therefore so happened, that, when the sled, with its
cargo, was in full career, and tending toward the precipitous edge.
Bet put down the wrong foot, and, in an instant, they darted Uke a cat
apult, through the brush-fence, on the hill-side, into the brush below.
It is, perhaps, needless to reraark, that, about that time, the boy left
suddenly for home. Bet behind him, " breathing out threatenings and
slaughter."

206 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
No. 17. — In the town of Westfield, at the time of my early recollec
tions, there was a large number of persons, each one of which was
quite a peculiar character. Some were lawyers, some merchants, the
greater part of them men of leisure, all of them Uttle disposed for " ser
vile labor " on week-days ; and, being men of social and convivial habits,
brought together by the relations of consanguinity, they were naturally
inclined to indulge in those pleasures, which spring up from such asso
ciations. Many of them, too, were not in active business ; or, if so
interested, they were inclined to trust the care of it to their clerks and
agents. Fishing excursions to Hazard's, Hampton, Congamuck, or
Otis ponds were of frequent occurrence, and the parties were composed
of many of the first citizens. In the winter season, the inhabitants
were eminently social ; and entertainments were given by individuals
at their dwellings, commencing at early candle-light, and continuing
until after the nine o'clock curfew summoned the Rev. Mr. Knapp, and
the more sedate part of the company, to their horaes. These syraposia
were nuraerously attended ; and, as the doctrine of reciprocity was rig
idly adhered to, the winter, as raay be imagined, passed away in a round
of social pleasures. These social pleasures were participated in, of
course, by the wives, and soraetimes by other member of the faraiUes ;
but the men to whom I have referred, used to collect in a smaU buUd
ing, erected over the well, on the north side of the green, and there,
protected as well by its roof as by the shade of a wide-spreading elm,
whioh stood near to it, to discuss poUtical questions and business transac
tions, relate anecdotes, and indulge in that social converse, which is apt
to increase by its indulgence. The place was adjacent to the tavern,
which stood on the site of the present Woronoco House, and also the
quiet well-kept hotel of Gad Palmer, where now is the Second Congre
gational Church ; and it was convenient for the merabers, of what was
called "the lazy company," to repair to either public house to partake
of Santa Croix punch in summer, or that other favorite drink, at those
seasons of the year, whioh admitted of the attempering flip-iron.
It should not be understood, that though those convivial habits
prevaUed in those days, there was not also a manUness of character
in the community. The town was of that size, where what every
one did, was very generally known to the public. The conduct of
individuals was exposed to the public eye, and an act of meanness
or dishonesty was promptly visited by public reprobation. It re
quired a bold man to be a rogue ; for detection at once brought its
punishment. In one respect, there has been a sad departure from the practices of

APPENDIX. 207
our ancestors. I allude to their love for, and indulgence in athletic ex
ercises. WrestUng, running, leaping, games of ball,— foot-ball, wicket
and base-ball, — were of constant occurrence; and, in this training, were
formed those strong constitutions, which have enabled the men, thus
reared, to perforra the severe bodily and intellectual labor from which
so many other men shrink.
The days of militia training, were, de facto, public holidays. The
merabers of enrolled companies, carae of course. There were the ar
tillery corapany, with their scarlet uniforms, their cocked hats and tower
ing feathers; "thetroup," as the cavalry-company was called ; the com
panies of infantry ; and when the "general training," as the boys called
it, was had, a grand collection frora far and near, not only of troops and
officers, but of oyster-carts, tyrabesteres, and all the other accompani
ments which are now only convened upon the arrival of a few negro-
minstrels, or monkeys, or a circus. When the training was over, a ring
was formed, and the wrestling coraraenced. The defeated contestant
"brought in his man;" that is, he selected some one, to contest with
the victor. So it went on, one after another engaging, until a late hour
put a period to the amicable strife. It may seem strange to the people
of the present day, that such exercises were fashionable. No one felt
it a disgrace, or that he lost his dignity in such an encounter. On the
contrary, an expert, skillful wrestler, whether boy or man, who showed,
by his raovements, that he had improved himself in the powers of that
body, which was given him, to be the house of a sound mind, was re
garded as one, who had done something, not only for himself, but as an
example to others.
The effeot of these exercises upon the inhabitants of the town was,
and is now apparent, in the size and appearance of the men who lived
in those days, and is shown in their several ages. A few years ago, at
a hearing before a legislative coraraittee, a dozen or more of our citizens
were present, each one of whom, in weight, exceeded 200 pounds.
And about the same tirae, there were living on one side of one of our
streets seven raen, over threescore years and ten ; and, on the other
side of it, a like nuraber, each weighing over 200 pounds, and each
one measuring over six feet in height.

WESTFIELD AS IT IS.
A stateraent of the business, religious, and educational condition of
Westfield in 1869, prepared by Hon. T. KneU, for the box in the cor
ner-stone of the Masonic building on Elm street, laid June 24th of
that year.

208

WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.

town officers.
Selectmen. — Henry B. Lewis, John Fowler, Charles H. Bush.
Clerk, — WUliara H. Foote.
Treasurer, — James H. Morse.
School Committee.— Dr. Millard L. Robinson, Rev. Henry Hopkins,
Rev. John Jennings, Hon. Henry Fuller, Joseph G. Scott, A. M.,
Homer B. Stevens, Esq.
Judicial Officers. — Henry B. Lewis, Esq., Samuel Fowler, trial
justices. Engineers of Fire Department. — C. K. Lambson, Reuben Noble,
Joseph S. Clark, B. F. Town and George D. Smith.
We have excellent facilities for extinguishing fires. The canal which
drives a factory in the centre of the village, furnishes an abundance of
water in its course in case of fires. There are also smaller streams and
two or more reservoirs. There are two fire engines and two companies
to work them in healthy existence. The foreman of " Rough and
Ready Fire Company " is WiUiara G. Lay, and E. W. Dickerman is
foreman of the " Bay State Company."

appropriations.

Appropriations by the town for the year 1869 :

Towards purchase of Town Clock,
Police, .....
Schools, viz : Teachers and fuel.
Contingent for Schools,
Painting school-houses, .
Re-seating High School,
General repairs and sinking wells.
Evening School,
Interest on Town Debt, .
Discount on taxes.
Highways and Town teams.
Bridges and raiUngs, .
Contingent expenses.
Fire department.
School coramittee.
Selectmen, ....

Amount carried forward,

$400 00
1,500 00 -$1,900 00
13,350 00
500 00
1,500 00
800 00
500 00
100 00-$16,750 00
7,600 00
2,100 00
3,500 00
1,000 00
1,500 00
700 00
500 00
625 00

$17,525 00 $18,650 00

APPENDIX.

209

Araount brought forward.
Assessors, .....
Town Farm and Poor,
Treasurer and Collector,
Sidewalks, . . . . .
Gas Bills, .....
Printing, ......
Hardening roads, ....
Town debt, . . . . .
Fencing new road.
Hose, ......
Altering Clay HUl road,
Culverts for drainage.
State tax, .....
County tax, . . . . .

$17,525 00-$18,650 00
340 00
. 3,000 00
200 00
. 1,500 00
500 00
. 350 00
1,500 00
. 5,000 00
65 00
. 600 00
400 00
. 1,500 00-532,480 00

tel, 136 00
8,800 09
3,553 09-$12,353 09

$63,683 09

valuation.
The valuation of the property of the town in the year ending May
1, 1868, was $4,360,595, and we raay safely add for increase for
this year, $300,000, making a present valuation of $4,660,595, in
addition to the shares held in manufacturing corporations, whioh are
taxed directly by the State.
The assessors' returns for May 1, 1868, show 1,774 taxable polls;
1,012 dwelling houses; 649 horses; 743 cows, and 209 sheep. The
rate of tax for that year, was 1.05 per cent. The population of the
town in 1865, when the last census was taken, was 5,634, and probably
it is now not far from 6,300.

agricultural.
By the statistical returns of 1865, it appears there were prepared
for market in the year previous, 5,125 cords of fire-wood and bark;
895,000 feet of lumber; 475,000 shingles, and other kinds of lumber
to the value of $22,200. We have 225 farms, containing 20,799 acres
of land, of which 12,997 were improved; unimproved, 3,143; unim
provable, 1,001, and 3,930 acres of woodland. By the assessors' re
turns of 1868, there were in the town 25,107 acres. There were
grown in the town during the year ending May 1, 1865, the latest
return we have, 16,277 bushels of Indian corn ; 105 bushels of wheat ;
27

210 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
9,471 bushels of rye; 1,452 bushels of buckwheat; 3,031 bushels of
oats, and of other kinds of grain, 10 bushels. There were raised,
17,256 bushels of potatoes; 3,325 bushels of turnips, as a field crop,
and 125 bushels of carrots. There were cut 2,241 tons of English
hay, and of wet raeadow, or swale hay, 495 tons; and 391,205 pounds
of tobacco. Of other farra products, we have not space nor time to
speak particularly, but we have them in great variety.

miscellaneous business.
The leading manufacture of Westfield is whips. Of these, probably
from -$800,000 to $1,000,000 in value are manufactured annuaUy.
The number of persons employed as near as we can judge, is about
600, male and female. There were 28 different establishments returned
in 1865, and probably this is not far from the number in the present
year. Standing at the head of this branch of industry, is the American
Whip Company, a copartnership with a capital of $204,000, and com
posed of eight raerabers, viz. : Henry J. Bush, Reuben Noble, Alonzo
Van Deusen, Mark R. Van Deusen, Liveras HaU, E. S. Phinney, Wil
liam 0. Fletcher and Isaac Van Deusen. They employ about 250
persons in the various branches of whip-making, and their production
at the time their brick factory on Main street was burned, on the morn
ing of the 7th of May, was at the rate of from $300,000 to $400,000
annually. They are now engaged vigorously in erecting a structure on
the old site, 40 feet wide, 165 feet long, and four stories high. The
building burned, was 40 feet wide, 120 long, and three stories high.
They have a depository for sales in the city of New York.
The other establishments, though smaller, are enterprising, thrifty
and industrious.
There are several establishments engaged in the manufacture of
cigars. By the statistical returns made to the State in 1865, it ap
pears there were 167 males, and 64 females eraployed. At present
the number is probably somewhat less. The value of the total produc
tion that year was $303,750.
There are three establishnjents doing a soraewhat extensive business
in buying, packing, and selling seed-leaf tobacco, the growth of this
and adjoining States. Several cigar manufacturers also pack and cure
what seed tobacco they need for their own use.
Tbere are two large church organ manufactories iu the place. One
(WUliam A. Johnson's) employing about 60 persons, the other (Steer

APPENDIX. 211
& Turner's) employing 25, aU men. One large establishment (Stimp
son & Go's) manufactures detached parts of piano-fortes, and deals
extensively in the same ; three paper-mills, two foundries, one making
a specialty of making " steam- heaters," the other manufactures the
" Bodine Jonval Turbine Water-wheel;" four lumber-yards, one plan
ing raill ; seven saw-mUls, and two machine-shops ; two flouring-mills ;
one sash and blind factory ; two brickyards, one hoop skirt factory, five
estabUshments for the manufacture and sale of boots and shoes ; two
daguerrean and photograph galleries ; two printing-offices, each issuing
a weekly newspaper ; the News Letter, established in 1840, and now
published by P. L. Buell, and the Western Hampden Times, published
by Clark & Story, the first number of which was issued Slarch 17th,
of the present year. We have besides, saddle and harness-makers,
carriage-makers and wheelwrights, blacksmiths, etc. ; and three coal and
wood-yards, two powder-mills, one cigar box manufactory, one gin dis
tillery, which uses 45 bushels of corn, and makes about 140 gaUons of
gin daily, paying an excise tax to the general government of nearly
$22,000 a year; also one cider brandy distUlery, which does a less
business, and four livery stables ; there are four confectionery, fruit and
toy stores ; there are seven dry goods stores, four clothing, three milli
nery; nine where groceries and provisions are kept for sale, three
apothecaries— one of whom, (J. W. Colton), manufactures " Flavoring
Extracts," which have a wide and pleasant reputation ; markets where
the inhabitants are araply supplied with the best animal food which the
stall and field can produce, besides " flying fowl," and fishes, frora
ocean, lake and stream ; three excellent hotels which provide bounti
fully for the stomach and delicately for the palate ; one extensive hard
ware and iron store ; three stove and tin stores, one bakery and one cab
inet warehouse and undertaking establishraent ; we have five law offices,
two dentistries, one bookstore, seven physicians — allopathic, homo-
pathic and eclectic, skillful, faithful and diligent, who look tenderly and
carefully after the health, not only of the inhabitants of our own town,
but also of the towns adjoining. Of builders, joiners, carpenters and
masons, we know not the number, but we have none too raany for our
wants, as we keep thera all employed, and wish we had more ; so of
painters, glaziers and paper-hangers.
There are other pursuits to which we have not space to allude,
some according to law and good conscience, others not ; sorae above
ground, others below ; but the town rejoices in an efficient salaried
police, who preserve admirable order and good conduct araong those
needing their services. The town is also well supplied with illumi-

212 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
nating gas, of excellent quality, but at prices not pleasant to all
consumers. The excise revenue is cared for by four faithful officers, and the
general governraent rejoices in an annual income therefrom of over
$90,000. We have one telegraph office, and two express companies. One of
the express companies has but recently commenced business, the other,
"American Merchants Union," did a business in the year 1868 of
$15,000, and employs constantly three raen and two horses, and ships
goods and parcels by twelve trains of cars daily, whereas in 1864, five
years ago, the yearly receipts were only $6,000, and the number of
daily trains only four, and seven years ago the whole business was done
in a " carpet-bag."

post-office.
There are seven mails received daily and eight sent away, also one
additional mail received and sent three times a week. The number of
letters received during the last week of last quarter was 3,515, and
the number sent away about 4,200. There are 846 boxes in the
office, of which 750 are rented. The cash receipts for the quarter
ending March 31, were $1,938.46. Expenses during the same time,
$974.45, leaving as the profits of the office for the quarter, $964.01.

railroads.

On the New Haven and Northampton Railroad, there were received
at the station in this town 16,515,488 pounds of freight, which paid
the company $28,278.20, and there were forwarded from this place by
this road, during the same period, 18,244,010 pounds which paid the
company $60,219.68. The number of tickets sold to passengers dur
ing the sarae period, was 7,870, for $8,400, making a total of cash
received and charges made on the business furnished by the inhabi
tants of the town of $96,897.80.
Our station agent of the Boston and Albany railroad sold durino- the
year ending June 1, 1869, 110,801 passenger tickets, and received
therefor, $36,682.00. In addition to this, many persons passed over
the road frora town, on commutation tickets, which are purchased at
head-quarters. There were forwarded during the sarae time 10,055
tons of freight, on which charges were paid, amounting to $24,800.50,
and 21,069 tons of freight were received, on which, $57,622.00 were

APPENDIX. 213
paid, making a grand total of cash receipts and charges on the business
furnished by our inhabitants to this road of $119,009.00, and on both
roads of $215,906.80.  banks.
We have two incorporated National Banks, as follows : The First
National, with a capital of $250,000. This bank was organized in
Deceraber, 1864, with a capital of $100,000. In September, 1865, it
was merged with the Westfield Bank, (a State institution organized in
1851), having a capital of $150,000, raaking the corabined capital
$250,000. Its officers are Hon. William G. Bates, President ; Charies
A. Jessup, Esq., Vice President; Henry Hooker, Esq., Cashier; Di
rectors, William G. Bates, Charles A. Jessup, Caleb Alden, Cutler
Laflin, Henry J. Bush, Charles I. Snow, Milton B. Whitney, George
L. Laflin, Charles Fowler.
The Hampden National Bank was organized as a State institution in
1826, with a capital of $100,000, which was increased to $150,000
in 1851 ; became a National Bank in 1865. Its officers are Hon. Ed
ward B. Gillett, President; R. Weller, Esq., Cashier; James Noble,
Jr., and Alfred D. Lamberton, Clerks; Directors, Edward B. GUlett,
Edwin Smith, Alvin Fowler, Sarauel Fowler, Reuben Noble, Jaraes P.
Cooley of GranvUle, W. 0. Fletcher, and Royal Weller. Hon. James
Fowler and Thomas Ashley, Esq., two of our oldest citizens, were stock
holders when the bank was first organized, and are still. Besides these,
there are two private banking houses. Leonard & Lyman, two young
raen, forraerly in the Hampden National Bank, are now doing an ex
tensive and successful banking business on their own account, besides
acting as real estate and insurance agents and brokers ; also Fletcher
& Norton, who have done a large and prosperous business as bankers,
for- several years. There is also a savings bank, which was organized
in 1853, the first deposit, ($50,) being made July 1st, of that year.
There are now due the depositors, (who number 1,460,) $347,441.95.
We enclose herewith a full statement of its conditions up to June 19,
three o'clock, p. m. 
liabilities.
Due Depositors,  $347,441 95
Surplus,  . . 1,261 21
Interest, . ...... 14 37
CoUateral, ¦ ¦ ¦ ^  485 00

$349,202 63

214

WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.

RESOURCES.
Investraent in First National Bank Stock, (Westfield),
Investment in Hampden Bank Stock, (Westfield), .
Investment in Hampshire Co. Stock, (Northern), .
Investment in U. S. 5-20s, 1862,
Investment in U. S. 5-20s, 1865,
Investment in U. S. 5-20s, 1867,
Investment in Sixes of 1881,
Loans on Public Funds,
Loans on Bank Stock,
Loans on Real Estate,
Loans on Personal Security, .
Profit and Loss account, $2,0.'',5 16 "
Expense account, 219 86.
Tax account, .....
Cash on hand, .....

$5,800 00
200 00
3,000 00
18,000 00
33,500 00
85,200 00
8,500 00
33,210 00
11,000 00
72,360 00
60,326 00
2,275 02
1,145 68
8,686 83

 $349,202 53
INSURANCE.
The "Westfield Mutual Fire Insurance Company" was incorporated
March 30, 1852, and commenced business November 1, 1852. Its
officers are as follows: Hon. Edward B. Gillett, President; WiUiam
H. Foote, Treasurer and Secretary ; Edward B. Gillett, Lorenzo R.
Norton, Henry Loomis, Samuel Horton, Dennis Hedges, WiUiam
Provin, Edwin Smith, James H. Waterman, and W. H. Foote,
Directors. The amount of risks outstanding at the end of last year,
was $607,888.00. The amount of loss paid, $400.00. Its gross
assets, $8,165.65. In addition to this, 26 different fire insurance
companies have regular agents who do business in the town. A large
amount of property is also insured in the " Springfield Mutual Assur
ance Corapany." An extensive business in life insurance is also done,
but we have not the statistics at hand. Asa P. Rand, Esq., is agent
for nine different fire insurance corapanies, and insures annually, about
$750,000 worth of property. He is also agent for the "Connecticut
Mutual Life," in which persons are insured in town, according to the
last annual statement, to the amount of $250,000.

CHURCHES.

The raorals and piety of the citizens Be cared for by the following
Christian churches : The First, Orthodox Congregational, coraposed of

APPENDIX. 215
368 raembers, inoluding those now propounded. Rev. Elias Hunting
ton Richardson, Pastor ; Anson G. Chadwick, Amos Halladay, Henry
B. Sraith and John R. Reed, Deacons; Edward B. GUlett, Norman T.
Leonard, Albert Baker, M. Searie, Hiram Owen, B. W. Knowles,
Franklin Leonard, Church Committee; E. M. Goodrich, Sunday-
school Superintendent ; M. Searle, Assistant Superintendent ; Mrs. E.
Goodrich, 2d Assistant. The average attendance of scholars, 226.
The salary of pastor, $2,000.
The Second, Orthodox Congregational Church, was organized May
22, 1856. Its present pastor. Rev. Henry Hopkins. We enclose
herewith a copy of the "confession of faith," etc., with a history of its
organization and present officers. Their present church edifice waa
erected in 1860 and '61; dedicated February 28, 1861. Cost, in
cluding site, chapel, organ, and furnishing, $26,711.27. Present
raerabership, 241. Pastor's salary, $2,000. The statistics of the
Sunday-school are : Officers for the present year, Edwin B. Smith,
Superintendent ; Mrs. A. G. Dickinson, Assistant Superintendent ;
Dwight W. Stowell, Secretary and Treasurer ; S. S. Conner, Librarian ;
George H. Spencer and Fred H. Treat, Assistants. The membership
of school, April 1, 1869, was 6 officers, 31 teachers, and'286 scholars.
The First Methodist Episcopal, has a membership of 367, with 60
probationers. Their church edifice was erected in 1842 and '43 ; dedi
cated, March, 1843 ; present estimated value, $30,000 ; the Rev. John
H. Mansfield, Pastor; salary, $2,000. The society has recently pur
chased a pastor's residence, at a cost of $4,500. The officers are :
Thoraas Kneil, Seth Cowles, Asa P. Rand, Joseph M. Ely, Henry J.
Bush, George Green, Benjamin F. Lewis, Trustees ; John H. Dudley,
Lemuel Grant, William Phelps, E. Ralph Lay, Lucius B. Walkley,
David Lamberton, William Sibley, Horace W. Avery, Stewards. The
Sunday-school has a membership of 372 ; Derrick N. Goff, Superin
tendent, assisted by 10 officers and 41 teachers; 631 volumes in the
library. The average attendance for the quarter ending April 1, of
current year, 249.
West Parish Methodist Episcopal Church contains a raerabership of
31, and 3 probationers. Pastor, Rev. S. 0. Brown; salary, $500.
The Sunday-school has 8 teachers, and 60 scholars. The society
erected during the year 1868, a new church edifice, at,a cost of $3,500,
and have a pastor's residence valued at $1,000.
The Central Baptist Church, has a membership of 184. The Rev,
John Jennings, has been pastor of this church for the past seven years,
but has recently resigned. The church is now without a pastor. Dur-

216 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
ing 1868, it erected a new church edifice, at a value of $43,500, which
was dedicated August 12, 1868. The officers are : Josiah S. Knowles
and Newell Cowles, Deacons ; L. B. Blood, James R. Gladwin, Lang
don C. Kellogg and A. Judson Bradley, Prudential Coramittee ; Dea
con J. S. Knowles, Church Clerk. The Sunday-school has a member
ship of 150; average attendance, 120; 16 classes; 22 officers and
teachers ; 603 volumes in the library ; Abner E. Gibbs, Superintend
ent, and M. P. Breekenridge, Assistant Superintendent.
There is an organized Universalist Society, now without a pastor, and
stated meetings. It holds a valuable site for a church edifice, on which
a chapel now stands, whioh is occupied by the Second Adventists. The
officers of the society are Henry Loomis, Reuben Loomis and Tiraothy
H. Loomis.
The Seoond Adventists have an organized church of 34 merabers ;
Pastor, Rev. Eleazer Owen. It has a Sunday-school, the statistics of
which we have not been able to procure.
St. Mary's Catholic Church, Rev. D. Meiglionieo, pastor of parish;
Right Rev. J. J. Williaras of Boston, Bishop ; number of Catholics,
1,000. The Sunday-school has 200 members ; Michael Healey, Super
intendent; 2Cf teachers.
There is a Young Men's Christian Association, composed of young
men of the several different churches, which has been highly successful.
Its merabers hold prayer-meetings in various parts of the town, which
have been promotive of great good. They have also given courses of
literary lectures during the winters for several years, which have been
well received by the public. The president of the association is Mr.
Luther H. Beals.
There are also societies in the several churches among the ladies,
whose design is social, religious, moral and literary improvement, in
which, also, collections are made from time to time, of moneys, which
are devoted to the promotion of some good object.

BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.

There are, of benevolent societies, a lodge of the Independent
Order of Odd FeUows, in efficient life ; a oourt of the ancient order
of Forresters, under the name of ' ' Court of Plyraouth Rock, No.
5119," with a financial membership of 62, which raeets bi-monthly;
the "Phoenix Lodge of Good Templars, No. 135," with a member
ship of 116; the " Woronoco Division of the Sons of Temperance,"
with a membership of 130; and Post 41, of the "Grand Army of the

APPENDIX. 217
Republic," with a membership of 46. These organizations are all in
vigorous and healthy operation. Of the condition of the order of
" Free and Accepted Masons," it would be out of place here to say
anything, as this is to be treated of by another pen.

EDUCATION.
The educational wants of the town are met by twenty-five public
schools, arranged in four grades, besides one supported as a union
school between this town and Southwick. Every alternate year this
school is under the direction of the Westfield school committee. These
schools are taught by thirty-one teachers, paid by the town. The
different grades are, "Primary," "Intermediate," "Grammar," and
" High." By taking the full course of the different grades, a boy can
be fitted to enter college, as in thera, all branches necessary to this are
taught, including the Latin, Greek, and French languages. The
teachers of the High school, are Abner E. Gibbs, A. M., Principal;
David B. Furber, A. B., Teacher of Classics ; Miss EUen S. Smith,
and Miss Sara M. Kneil, Teachers of English branches; and Miss
Margaret Gleason, Teacher of Vocal Music.
The building occupied by this school, was erected in 1864, for the
use of tbe Westfield Academy, an institution of deserved reputation in
the town in former years, but the great improvement in the public
schools of high grade in this town and vicinity, rendered the patronage
extended to the Academy, unsupporting, and the buildings were pur
chased by the town, at a cost of $36,000, for the use of the High
school ; and this school probably gives as full opportunities for an edu
cation, as the Academy, in its best days. By the terras of purchase,
the purchase money, with accruing interest, raust be expended for
educational purposes in the town.
The School of Observation, takes its name from its relation to the
State Normal school. The State pays $500 annually to its support,
on condition that its modes of teaching be according to the approved
methods of the Normal system, and that the pupils of the Normal
school shall be welcome to enter and witness the practical Ulustrations
of the methods taught them in the Normal. By this arrangeraent, the
inhabitants sending pupUs there, have the advantage of a school taught
by the best of teachers. The school has three grades : Primary, taught
by Miss Cynthia Cooke ; Intermediate, taught by Miss Charlotte E.
Doming ; and Gramraar, taught by Mr. John H. Haldeman and Martha
28

218 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
E. Roys. This school is deservedly held in high esteera, not only
by those sending pupils to it, but by the coraraunity at large.
The Davis school takes its name from the late Rev. Dr. Davis, a
gentleman held in high repute by the citizens of the town, for his raany
virtues, but more particularly for his interest in the cause of popular
education. In this school, also, there are three departments or grades,
as in the School of Observation. The same branches are taught.
The Graramar department of this and the School of*Observation are
the two Grammar schools of the town. To these all the inhabitants are
entitled to send pupils, and from them the pupils graduate with equal
privileges to the High school. The principal of the Grammar depart
ment is James F. Hayes ; Miss S. L. Bodurtha, Assistant; Miss Martha
L. Ingersoll has charge of the Intermediate, and Miss EUa S. Eggles
ton of the Priraary.
The other public schools in the town, are Primary and Intermediate,
and occupy a subordinate relation. All appear in a good degree of
prosperity and efficiency.
The school system of the town is directly in charge of the Central
Coramittee, and has been for the last six years. The coramittee have
full control of every matter relating to the schools under the statutes.
Rules have been established and published for the guidance of aU in
terested, a copy of which is herewith deposited, also a copy of the last
report raade by the comraittee, which will more fully explain our edu
cational policy, give the condition of the schools during the year pre
ceding, and also the salaries paid the different teachers. The schools
are supported from the taxes of our inhabitants, and no tax is raore
cheerfully paid. No reasonable appropriation asked for by the com
mittee is denied.
The Normal school is a State Institution, and is conducted under
the direction of the Board of Education. We herewith deposit a copy
of its catalogue for the year ending July 16, 1868. The Principal is
now traveling in Europe, and is to return next October. The influence
which this school exerts in favor of correct methods of teaching, not
only in this vicinity and State, but throughout the great West, is a
source of satisfaction and pride to all lovers of a good education.
Schools having the same general objects before them, are springing into
existence in many parts of the country in consequence. The whole
number of pupUs the present term is 134. Number of present grad
uating class, 32.
It is in contemplation to establish in this school an advanced grade
to fit more thoroughly and completely teachers for the High schools

APPENDIX. 219
of the Commonwealth. The contract for an enlargement of the present
buUding (a wood cut of which wUl be found in the catalogue deposited,)
for this purpose has been made with Mr. George Green, a citizen and
builder of the town. The General Court made an appropriation of
$12,000 for this purpose at its present session. For raore specific and
detailed statements in reference to this school, we refer the reader to
the printed catalogue deposited herewith. There is one private school,
under the efficient and successful management of Mrs. Samuel Fowler.
It is a young ladies' seminary, composeji of boarding and day scholars ;
the nuraber of pupils, about 30.
The Atheneum was incorporated in 1864. The building was erected
by Hiram Harrison, Esq., now deceased, in 1866, and donated by him,
to the corporation. Mr. Samuel Blather, a native of the town, but at
the time a resident of Hartford, Ct., donated $10,000 to the institu
tion, the income of which only is to be used in defraying running
expenses, such as the salary of the librarian, fuel, lights, eto. Over
$10,000 have been subscribed by citizens and others, for the purchase
of books, periodicals, newspapers, etc. Between 800 and 900 vol
umes were donated by the citizens, in addition to the cash subscriptions.
There are now in the library, 2,376 bound voluraes, besides paraphlets
and periodicals. Any person may draw books upon an annual pay
ment of $2.00, and the reading of papers and periodicals in the library
rooms, is free. bi-centennial year.
This is the bi-centennial year of the incorporation of the town, and
it is in contemplation to commemorate the event in a manner worthy of
the town, and the associations of the past. We deposit herewith a
fac-simile of the original act of incorporation taken from the archives
of the State, in the office of the Secretary of the Comraonwealth. The
act took effect. May 28, 1669.

220 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.

DECENNIAL GROWTH OF WESTFIELD FROM 1765 TO 1870.
The first census taken in this Comraonwealth was made in 1765,
under provincial authority. At that time Westfield included within
her territorial limits the towns of Southwick, Russell and part of Mont
gomery ; her population was 1,324, of which 41 were negroes. She
had 191 dweUings and 195 farailies. November 17, 1770, Southwick
was set off and incorporated as a separate district. At the succeeding
census, which was taken in 1776, the population of Westfield was 1,488.
November 28, 1780, Montgomery was incorporated as a town, but by
this Westfield probably lost but few of her population. The third
census and the first taken under the authority of the general govern
ment was made in 1790, and gives the population of the town at 2,204.
February 28, 1792, Russell was set off and incorporated as an inde
pendent town. At the following census taken in IwOO, our population
shows a sUght falling off, it being 2,185. But Southwick and Mont
gomery show a population, the former of 840, and the latter 440.
Since 1792 the boundaries of Westfield have remained substantially
intact, and we purpose to give in this paper her population for each de-
cennium with - the ratio of increase or decrease, commencing with the
present century.
In 1800, the population of the town was 2,185 ; in 1810, 2,130,
showing a decrease of 60, or a little over two per cent. In 1820 her
population was 2,668 ; increase, 438, or a fraction over twenty and a
half per cent. In 1830 the population was 2,940, the increase 272,
the ratio a fraction over ten per cent. In 1840 the population was
3,526 ; increase 576, the ratio nineteen and a half per cent, and a
fraction over. At this time the construction of the Boston and Albany
Railroad through the town was coraraenced. In 1850 the population
was 4,180 ; increase, 554 ; ratio very nearly eighteen per cent. In
1860 the population was 5,055 ; increase, 875 ; ratio a fraction less than
twenty per cent. In 1870 the population is returned at 6,679; in
crease, 1,624, the ratio being over thirty-two per cent. At no period
in her history have all the eleraents of a healthy prosperity been more
vigorous and thrifty than at the present time. We append the follow
ing frora the census taken the present year, (1870), by the United States
assistant marshal, Darwin H. Bunnell, Esq. Number of dwellings in
town, 1,080; families, 1,380; inhabitants, 6,679; colored people, 63 ;
born in foreign countries, 969 ; nuraber of farras producing more than
$500 per year, 172 ; nuraber of raanufacturing establishraents, 80 ;

APPENDIX. 221
number of deaths in the year ending June 1, 1870, 136; oldest per
son in town, Lucy Root, 94, (deceased since census was completed.)

Copy of the deed of Conkepot and others, referred to in the ad
dress of Mr. Bates, on page 67, of the tracts of land, embracing the
present territory of Sheffield, Great Barrington, Egremont, Alford,
Mount Washington, and Boston Corner. It was copied from the an
cient Book of Reoords of the Lower Housatonic Proprietary, by Hon.
Increase Sumner, and forwarded by him to S. G. Drake, Esq., Secre
tary New England Historic Genealogical Society, and pubUshed in their
Register, for the year 1864, from which it is now taken. Considering
the large extent of the tract, so purchased by Captain Ashley, — after
wards Judge Ashley of Westfield, — the consideration was rather inade
quate, even to its value at that time. The appropriate place for the
introduction of this deed, would have been in connection with the cop
ies of the other deeds printed herein, but it was accidentally laid aside,
.until too late for insertion there.
INDIAN DEED OF GREAT BARRINGTON, &c.
Know all Men by these presents that we, Conkepot Poneyote — Par-
tarwake — Naurnauquin — Waenenocow — Nawnausquan — Cauconaugh-
feet — Nonamcaunet — Naunharaiss— Sunkhunk— Popaqua — Taunkhonk-
pus — Tartakim — Sauncokehe — Cancannap — Sunkiewe — Nauheag —
Mauchewaufeet — John Van Gilder — Pinaskenet — all of Housatonack
— allias Westonook, in New England, in ye province of the Massa
chusetts Bay : for & in consideration of a valuable sum well secured by
bond viz — Four Hundred and Sixty Pounds — Three Barrels of Sider
& thirty quarts of Rum : bearing date with these Presents, under ye
hand & seal of Capt John Ashley of Westfield in ye County of Harap
shire ; we have given, granted, bargained, sold, aliened, conveyed &
confirmed, and doe by these presents, fully, clearly and absolutely give,
grant, bargain, sell, allinate, convey & confirm unto Col John Stoddard,
Capt John Ashley, Capt Henry Dwight & Capt Luke Hitchcock, Bsqrs^
all in the County of Hampshire, Committee appointed by ye General
Court to purchase a certain Tract _of land lying upon Housatonack
River, allias Westonook, in order for the settling two towns there, and
unto such as ye Committee have or shall admit in order for ye settling of
said Towns, to them, their Heirs & assigns a certain Tract or parcel of
land, Bleadow, swamp & upland, lying on ye River aforesaid butted &

222 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAL.
bounded as followeth, viz : — Southardly upon ye divisional line between
the Province of Massachusetts Bay : and the colony of Connecticut in
New England — Westardly on ye patten or colony of New York, north-
' ardly upon ye Great mountain known by ye narae of Manskuseehoanl^
— and Eastardly to run Four railes from ye aforesaid River — and in a
general way so to extend — Furthermore it is to be understood that ye
abovesaid Indians reserve to theraselves within the aforesaid Tract of
land, described by bounds and hutments, Southardly on a Brook on ye
west side Housatonack River, known by the narae of Mannanpe-
nokcan and Northardly to a small brook lying between ye aforesaid
Brook and ye River called Wampanikseeport — allias White River :]
viz All ye land between ye aforesaid Brooks from said Westonook River
extending unto ye patten of the CoUeny of New York — Together with
a clear Meadow, between the aforesaid small Brook extending North
ardly unto ye aforesaid White River ; viz, the aforesaid Indians reserve
to themselves all ye land between ye Brooks running due West line
from ye mouth of sd Brooks unto ye patten of ye CoUeny of New York
aforesaid — And we ye aforesaid Indians doe for ourselfs, our heirs Ex
ecutors & Administrators, Covenant proraise and grant to & with the
aforesaid Coraraittee & such as they have or shall admit of for Planters
of sd Townships — That before the ensealing hereof, we ye sd Indians are
ye true, sole & lawful owners of ye aforegranted premises and are law
fully seized and possessed of the sarae in our own proper right, as a
good perfect & absolute estate of inheritance in fee simple, and have in
ourselfs good right, full power & lawful authority to grant, bargain, seU,
convey & confirm sd bargained premises in manner aforesaid — And ye
sd Committee & such as they shall or may admit for Inhabitants of sd
Townshipps to them their heirs and assigns shall & may from time to
tirae and at all times hereafter by virtue of these Presents, lawfully &
peacibly occupie. Possess and enjoy the said bargained Premises with
all ye appurtenances, free & clear, and clearly & freely acquitted &
discharged of, from all & all manner, former & other Gifts, Grants,
Bargains, Sales, Jointures, Mortgages, Wills, Devises & Incumbrances
whatsoever — And furthermore We the sd Indians, for ourselfs and for
sd Heirs, Executors & Administrators doe covenant & engage to secure
& defend ye sd bargained Premises unto thera tho aforesaid Coraraittee,
and to such persons as the sd Committee have or shall admit in order to
ye settling sd Towns, to them or their Heirs & Assigns forever — against
ye the lawful claims & demands of any Person or Persons whatsoever
— In witness whereof, we the aforesaid Indians have hereunto set our
*Now called Monument Mountain. tNow called Green River.

APPENDIX.

223

hands and seals this 25th day of AprU, in ye tenth year of his Majisty's
rign and in ye year of or one thousand seven hundred & twenty four :
Signed, sealed & deld in
presence of us — Comaot Borghghart
Benjarain Smith

John Gun Jun

Sarauel Bartlett

Conkepot,

his raark K seal

Poneyote,

his mark ) : seal

Pota wakeont,

his mark T seal

Naunausquan,

his raark © seal

Wanenocow,

his raark 'H seal

Naunauquin,

his mark d' seal

Conconaughpeet,

his raark G' seal

Nonaucauneet,

his mark k' seal

Paunopescennot,

his mark Y seal

Covconofeet,

his mark B: seal

Naunharaiss,

his mark E' seal

Sunkhonk,

his mark (: seal

Popaqua,

his mark R seal

Taunkhonkpus,

his raark T. seal

Tatakim,

his raark 0: seal

Saunkokehe,

his raark 2 seal

Cancanwap,

his raark 9 seal

Saunkewenaugheag,

his mark § seal

Manchewanfeet,

his mark X' seal

John Vangilder,

his mark V: seal

Ponaskenet,

his mark § seal

The aforesaid is a Copy of ye Deed given by

the Indians for ye

Housatonack Land — Exarained by me —

Ebener Pomroy by order

Acknowledged before
John Ashly, J. P.
224 WESTFIELD BI-CENTENNIAI..

NOTE.
The intelUgent reader will of course notice a few typographical and
grammatical errors in the foregoing pages, whieh have escaped the
notice of the different persons, by whom the proofs were corrected.
Such errors are to be expected, when the corrections are not entrusted
to a single person. Of necessity, this could not have been done, in
the preparation of this volume, as occasional absences prevented it.
The Committee have been - assisted in the work, by the Hon. Mr.
Bates, and Hon. T. Kneil; the "Introduction," and the account of
the "Preliminary Proceedings" having been written by Mr. Bates,
and the Proceedings at Table, and the subsequent parts of the narra
tive by Mr. Kneil. The "Address of Welcome " of Mr. GUlett, and
the "Response" of Mr. Eldredge, as also the "Report of the Speeches
at Table," were for the most part made up from the report in the
Times, and few brief notes made thereof, and were not revised by the
authors.

ERRATA.
On page 70 omit the from the first three lines of poetry.
On page 77, eighteenth line from the top, for and read cm.

Index

Letter of Committee to Mr. Bates,
Mr. Bates' Reply,
Introduction,Preliminary Proceedings,
Town-meeting, July 3, 1869,
General Committee of 35,
Committees on Celebration,
Programme,
Exercises in Church,
Original Hymn by Mrs. Ellen E. Barr,
Address of Welcome by Hon. E. B. GUlett,
Response by Hon. John B. Eldredge,
Original Stanzas by Miss F. B. Bates,
Mr. Bates' Historioal Address,
The Dinner, ....
Speech by Hon. H. G. Knight,
" Hon. Charles R. Ladd, .
" E. V. B. Holcomb, Esq.,
" Rev. Dr. S. R. Ely,
" Hon. WilUam G. Bates,
" Rev. Ambrose Day,
" Rev. E. H. Richardson,
" Captain P. Solomon,
" Rev. H. Hopkins,
'¦' Captain L. F. Thayer, .
" P. C. BUss, Esq.,
" John W. Dickinson, Normal School,
" James C. Greenough, " "
29

4 59
10111215
22 232427
2937
858687 89
9092
9495 97
98
101103 104
106

226

INDEX.

Letter of Rev. Hiram Bingham,
Original Song of Mr. George Stowe,
" Stanzas by Mrs. J. M. Loomis,
" " Miss S. M. Kneil,
Incorporation of Westfield,
Bounds EstabUshed, ....
Westfield Records, 1658-69,
" Remonstrance, 1676,
" Petition for New Additions, 1736,
Distribution of Outer Commons, 1731,
" of Charity Lands in Inner Commons, 1733,
" of Inner Commons, 1733,
Porting the Town, 1747,
Prices of Articles and Labor EstabUshed, 1777,
Letters of Regret and Acceptance, .
Joshua Atwater, Edwards-ville, RI.,
R. A. Chapman, Chief-Justice Supreme Judicial Court,
Prof. George W. Benedict, Burlington, Vt.,
L. F. Allen, Esq., Buffalo, N. Y 
G. H. Loomis, Esq. , Boston,
Cornelius Hedges, Esq. , Helena City, Montana Territory,
J. Sibley, Judge, etc., Quincy, 111.,
Mr. WiUiam L. Atwater, New York City, .
Mr. Henry F. Terry, Santa Rosa, Cal. ,
Mr. O. R. Ingersoll, New York City,
Henry W. Taylor, Esq. , Canandaigua,
" A Model Love Letter," Rev. Edward Taylor, ,
Emigration to Lewis County, N. Y., and Letter from W
son Stephens, ....
Extinguishment of Indian Title,
Alquat's Deed, June, 1669,
Joseph Atherton's Deed, 1702,
Pictures of Westfield as it was, from No. 1 to No. 18,
Westfield as it is, .
Decennial Growth of Westfield, from 1765 to 1870,
Indian Deed of Great Barrington, .

Hud-

107 108
110112121
122 122124
127129130131
132133136139140141 142
145145 146
147150151 152 157
159161 162164166
207220221