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HISTORY
OF THE
Town of Plainfield
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY, MASS.,
From its Settlement to 1891,
INCLUDING A GENEALOGICAL HISTORY OF TWENTY-THREE OF
THE ORIGINAL SETTLERS AND THEIR DESCENDANTS.
WITH ANECDOTES AND SKETCHES.
BY CHARLES N. DYER.
NORTHAMPTON, MASS. :
PRESS OF GAZETTE PRINTING CO.
1891.
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PREFACE.
No history of the town having been published since that
by Dr. Jacob Porter in 1834, it seemed to me desirable and
proper that another should be written. The old records
being in my care made it an easy matter to refer to them
constantly in compiling this work. It is believed that all
dates given can be relied on as accurate, being taken from
the original records, with very few exceptions. The his-
tory by Dr. Porter has been of great assistance. I have
also obtained some facts from the Hampshire County
Gazetteer, and also from an article in the "Magazine of
American History," of March, 1887," by Mrs. Martha J.
Lamb. I am also indebted to Mr. Levi Clark. Mr. Levi N.
Campbell, Mr. Chas. Lyman Shaw, and others, for infor-
mation furnished. The genealogical record of some of
the original settlers has been omitted because their de-
scendants have all long since removed or deceased, — and
others because their records are very imperfect.
The plates of portrait of Charles Dudley Warner, his
birthplace, and the present church and town hall were
kindly loaned by Messrs. Wade, Warner & Co., proprie-
tors of " Picturesque Hampshire," for use in this work.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Situation and Extent. -Boundaries, Angles and Measurements.— Surface.—
Streams and Ponds.— Fish. — Minerals.— Soil.— Productions.— Timber.
CHAPTER II.
Early Civil History.—" Hatfield Equivalent."— Grants. — First Settlers.—
First Town Meeting. — Subsequent Meetings. — List of Selectmen. — Town
Clerks.— Representatives in Oeneral Court.
CHAPTER III.
Church History.— Early Ministers.— Organization of First Church.— List of
Original. Members.— First Meeting-House.— Price of Materials.— Plan of
Interior.— Dedication.— Belfry and Bell.— Sundry Items.— Call and Set-
tlement of Rev. Moses Hallock. — Installation.— Entertainment.
CHAPTER IV.
Sketch of Rev. Moses Hallock.— His School.— Anecdotes.— Colleague Called.
—Rev. Dana Goodsell.— " Stop that Preparation."— His Successors.— Dea-
cons.— Present Meeting-House. — Daniels Fund.— Organization of First Par-
ish.— Baptist Society.— Advent Chapel.
CHAPTER V.
Schools. — First Location of Houses.— Number Increased. — Reduced in Number
and Re-located.— " Moving Committee."— Incidents of Removing.— District
System.— List of School Committee.— Statistics.— Names of Present Pupils
in the Public Schools.
CHAPTER VI.
Town Hall.— Roads.— Early Modes of Travel.— Lost in the Woods.— Early
Bridge Building. — Present System of Repairing Roads.— Road Commission-
ers.— Names of Streets. — Post Offices.— Postmasters.— First Mail Supply.
—Present Mail Facilities.— Early Rates of Postage.
CHAPTER VII.
Cemeteries.— Bill of Mortality.— List of Aged Deceased.— jsuicipes.— Sudden
Deaths.
CHAPTER VIII.
Stores and Manufactures. — John Mack.— I. K. Lincoln and Others.— Jacob
and Levi Clark.— Leonard Campbell.— Stores at Present Time. — Robinson's
Corn Mill.— Warner, Whiting & Co.— Streeter's Factory.— Tannery.— Oth-
er Manufactures.
CHAPTER IX.
Pliysician8.— Dr. Torrey.— Dr. Porter.— Dr. Samuel Shaw,
er." — Later Practitioners. — Justices of the Peace.
Hit Him Anoth-
CHAPTER X.
Revolutionary Pensioners.— Soldiers of 1812. — Artillery Company —List of
Soldiers in War of the Rebellion. — Deaths Among.— G. A. R. Post.
CHAPTER XI.
College Graduates and Professional Men.
CHAPTER XII.
Census.— Valuation.— List of Voters. — Political Parties.— Campaign ok 1M40.
Bits from the Old Records. — Incidents and Reminiscences.— Fihes.
CHAPTER XIII.
Persons Now Living Here Over 75.— Foreigners.— Old Houses.— General Type
—Original Dwellings Now Standing.— Singing Schools.- •" The Old Village
Choir." — Dramatic Club. — "Saddle the Dogs."— Contrast.
INDEX OF GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Ebenezer Bisbee.
Joseph Beals.
John Campbell.
Abram Clark.
Jacob Clark.
Andrew Cook.
Jesse Dyer.
Joseph Gloyd.
Moses Hallock.
John Hamlen.
Jacob Jones.
Isaac Joy.
Jacob Nash.
Barnabas Packard.
James "Richards.
Josiah Shaw.
Samuel Streeter.
Josiah Torrey.
Amos Tirrell.
Eiljah Warner.
Caleb White.
David Whiton.
Jacob Whitmarsh.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Charles N. Dyer.
First Meeting House.
Plan of Interior.
Church and Town Hall.
Mill of Mountain Miller.
Dr. Samuel Shaw.
Charles Dudley Warner.
His Birthplace.
Levi N. Campbell.
Louis L. Campbell.
Leavitt Hallock.
Freeman Hamlen.
CHAPTER I.
Situation and Extknt. — Boundaries. Angles and Measurements.— Surface.—
Streams and Ponds.— Fish.— Minerals.— Soil.— Productions.— Timber.
Plainfield is situated in the extreme north- west corne r
of Hampshire County, twenty miles north-west from
Northampton. It has an area of about twenty square
miles, measuring about five miles east and west, and four
miles north and south. It is bounded on the north by
Hawley, east by Ashfield, both in Franklin Co., south by
Cummington, and west by Windsor and Savoy, both in
Berkshire Co. According to a survey made by Eliphalet
Darling in 1831, by order of the General Court, the boun-
dary, lines and angles are as follows : Beginning at the
N. W. corner, which is nearly a mile north of Edward
W. Mason's, where A. N. Remington formerly lived,
thence running E. 19° S. four miles, 31-4 rods to the N.
E. corner, this line being the boundary between Hawley
and Plainfield. The N. E. corner is about 125 rods north
of the former residence of L. N. Campbell, where G. W.
Billings now lives. From this corner, the boundary be-
tween Ashfield and Plainfield runs S. 17° W. 217 rods,
thence S. 30' E. 122 rods, thence E. 19° 20' S. So rods,
thence S. 19° 20' W. 401 rods, thence S. 30' E. 517 rods
to the S. E. corner, this being also the S. W. corner of
Ashfield. The N. E. corner of Cummington is about
three-fourths of a mile east of this corner. The monu-
ment marking the S. E. corner of Plainfield, is about
8 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
three-fourths of a mile N. E. of the house of James W.
Loud. The boundary between Cummington and Plain-
field runs from this corner, W. 17° S. 105 rods, thence
W. 20° N. five miles and four rods to the S. W. corner
and Windsor line, running over the summit of Deer
Hill. This corner is in a small mow lot not quite half
a mile N. W. of the mill of the L. L. Brown Paper Co.
in West Cummington. The boundary between Windsor
and Plainfield runs from this corner N. 18° W. two miles
and 287 rods to a monument which marks the N. E.
corner of Windsor. This is about fifty rods S. of Geo.
A. Blanchard's. Thence running W. 18° N. 100 rods to
Savoy line. This corner is about sixty rods S. of Ed-
ward W. Mason's, and not far from the South Pond in
Windsor. The line between Savoy and Plainfield runs
from this corner N. 18° E. one mile to the place of be-
ginning. These lines are perambulated and the marks
and bounds renewed whenever necessary by the Select-
men of Plainfield in company with the Selectmen of the
adjoining town, once in five years, according to law.
The Ashfield line was last run Nov. 15, 1880 — Cumming-
ton and Windsor in Oct. 1888 — Savoy, Nov. 0, 1890 — Haw-
ley, Nov. 17, 1890. Plainfield was incorporated later than
any of the adjoining towns. The geographical center is
near the house of Wm. C. Whiting.
SURFACE.
This township lies on the eastern side of the Green
Mountains. It is divided into two nearly equal portions
by Mill Brook, the largest stream in town, which rising
near Hawley line, flows S. W. and S. and empties into
the north branch of the Westfield in Cummington, a few
SURFACE. 9
rods east of the "Otis" bridge. Two ranges of hills
traverse the town from north to south on each side of
Mill brook, the highest points of these ranges being about
equi-distant from the brook and the eastern and western
boundaries of the town. The west range is considerably
higher than the east, the highest points being named as
follows, beginning at the north. The heights giv.en are
from the late official survey. Beals Hill, 1980 feet high,
the summit of which is just across the line in Hawley,
derived its name from the fact that Samuel Beals, one
of the early settlers lived on it, well up toward the sum-
mit, as well as his son Dennis, who spent his life on the
same spot. This house we believe is still standing; the
town line runs through it. The Beals however always
claimed their residence and voted in Plainfield. South
of this is Bond Hill, the origin of the name being un-
known. Then West Mountain, 2160 ft. — the highest
point in Western Hampshire. Further south is Deer
Hill, 2020 feet high, so called, tradition says, because
large numbers of deer made it their headquarters in the
earlier times. Magnificent views are to be obtained from
their summits, particularly from West and Deer Hills,
and our summer residents never fail to visit one or more
of them for that purpose. Standing on these hills, one
may see Haystack Mt. in Vt. on the north, Monadnock
in N. H. in the north-east, Mt. Lincoln in Pelham on
the east, Chester and Blandford on the south, Saddle Mt.
in the north-west and Hoosac Mt., under which passes
the famous Hoosac Tunnel. With a good field-glass one
may discover many other points of interest. The east
range is much broader than the west, forming a gently
undulating table land, which decreases in breadth toward
10 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
the south part, and ends abruptly near the Cummington
line. The only abrupt elevation on this range, and even
this slopes gently south and east, is at the north end of
the range. It is proposed to name this elevation, which
is 1900 feet high, Mt. Warner, in honor of Charles Dud-
ley Warner, who was born, and reared on its heights.
From this east range the town undoubtedly derives its
name. It is nearly two miles in breadth at the widest
part, and falls toward the south at the rate of about 100
feet to the mile. The village is built near the top and
on the western slope. The house of the late Dea. Free-
man Hamlen, in the upper part of the village, is just
1700 feet above sea level.
STREAMS AND PONDS.
The principal streams besides Mill Brook, are Meadow
brook and "the Grant " brook. The former is made by
the union of three small streams which take their rise
on the old Ebenezer Nash farm, a short distance east of
Russell TirrelPs, and flowing south-east passing near
Wm. H. Dyer's and No. 2 school-house, finally empties
into the Westfield at Cummington Village. The Grant
brook, so called because it passes through the tract of
land known as Wainwright's grant, of which we shall
speak later, takes its rise on the 'Squire Clark place, now
occupied by A. L. Richmond, and flowing south-east
through " the Hollow " near David Packard's and Sam-
uel Parker's, enters a corner of Ashfield, thence to Cum-
mington, where it becomes the north branch of Swift
River, emptying into the Westfield at Swift River P. O.
The town abounds in durable springs and nearly all
dwelling-houses, and also barns, are supplied from them
STREAMS AND PONDS. 11
with running water. The upper village is supplied by
an aqueduct from a never failing spring, half a mile
north; the lower village from several springs. Wooden
pipes made from spruce trees five or six inches in di-
ameter, are in many instances used for an aqueduct.
When laid in wet or moist ground, they often last until
worn through by the action of the water.
There are two natural ponds, the North and Crooked,
both in the north-west part of the town. The North
pond is about a mile long and half a mile in width in
the widest part. The outlet is in a northerly direction
and empties into the Deerfield river above Charlemont,
while the waters of the Crooked pond, which takes its
name from its form, flow south-westerly into the South
pond in Windsor, which is the head of one of the
branches of the Westfield river. Both the first named
ponds are on high land and the outlet streams fall very
rapidly. The Crooked pond though only three-fourths
of a mile from the South pond, is probably 200 feet
higher. The North pond is a much handsomer body of
water than the Crooked, the shores for the most part
being hard and gravelly, while those of the Crooked are
muddy, the waters being shallow and dotted with stumps,
Both have been raised somewhat by dams. These ponds
contain pickerel and perch. The pickerel increase but
slowly, from the fact that it devours nearly all of its
young. It is a sort of fresh water shark, feeding on
almost any fish smaller than itself. One specimen caught
on being opened was found to contain another recently
swallowed, and this contained a third one. The writer
believes that stocking these ponds with pickerel was a
great mistake. The North pond was the natural home
12 . HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. •
of the trout, and if the pickerel had not been introduced,
it might now under the protection of the fish and game
laws, have been well filled with this most desirable fish.
Perch were introduced into these ponds about twenty
years since, and have now become plentiful. Nature has
furnished them with weapons which enable them to
successfully defend themselves and their young from the
attacks of the pickerel. They are easily taken with hook
and line, while the pickerel are only caught by the ex-
pert angler, and but seldom by him. The most success-
ful mode of capturing the pickerel is practiced in winter,
hooks being set in holes cut through the ice. This
method, however, if the ice be thick is attended with con-
siderable labor. It is hoped that some time in the fu-
ture they may be wholly exterminated from these ponds.
The various streams are moderately well stocked with
trout, and if they were absolutely protected throughout
the year for four or five years they would attain consid-
erable size and numbers.
MINERALS AND SOIL.
Dr. Porter, in his history of the town published in 1834,
gives a full treatise on its geology and mineralogy. As
the writer is neither a geologist or mineralogist, these
subjects will be omitted in this work. Any one who
wishes information on these topics, I would respectfully
refer to "Porter's History of Plainfield," several copies
of which are still preserved in town and elsewhere. I
will only say that with one exception no valuable min-
erals have been discovered here, at least not in sufficient
quantities to be of any commercial value. The exception
referred to is manganese or oxide of manganese. This is
minerals and soil. 13
found in the southwest part of the town, on the farm of
Win. H. Packard, and also on Allen Thayer's. It was
mined to some extent on the Packard farm years ago,
and it is understood that it was found in paying quan-
tities, but for some reason the enterprise was abandoned.
Outside parties have recently leased a portion of the farm
for this purpose, and will soon commence operations.
Iron ore, said to be of superior quality, has been dug on
the old Robinson place, now owned by Allen Thayer,
about one and one-half miles west of the village, but has
not yet been developed in paying quantities. Some years
since gold was discovered on West Hill, in the dirt thrown
out by a woodchuck in digging his hole. It was after-
ward ascertained, however, that the "claim" had been
"salted" with small specimens of genuine California ore,
by a young man living in the vicinity, who wished to
create a little excitement. The soil is a heavy loam,
varying in different localities. It has become somewhat
exhausted, and produces good crops only by the use of
fertilizers, which in early times were not considered essen-
tial. Much flax was then raised without fertilizers, the
same piece of ground being sown for several years in
succession in many instances. Flax being a very exhaust-
ing crop, much of the land on which it was raised has
never recovered its fertility.
PRODUCTIONS AND TIMBER.
Corn, oats, barley, rye and buckwheat are successfully
raised, as well as all kinds of garden vegetables, with the
exception of onions and melons. Potatoes are so liable to
be affected by rot that they are now considered a very un-
certain crop. Fifty or sixty years ago the price of corn
14 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
was one dollar per bushel, varying but little from that
price. Nearly all the corn was raised at home, very little
if any being brought into town. It was nearly all used
for food, it being almost an unheard of thing to feed corn
or Indian meal to neat stock or horses. A little was fed
to swine. Considerable quantities of corn are now sown,
which is used green as feed for milch cows, or cured for
winter use. It is also used as ensilage to a limited ex-
tent, a few of the farmers having built silos for that pur-
pose. By using fertilizers, many tons of this can be pro-
duced on an acre, and it is considered a profitable crop.
The western or " horse tooth "' variety is generally sown
for this purpose, though sweet corn is sometimes used.
The exhausted condition of our pastures makes it nec-
essary for farmers to produce some green crop to be used
after the month of August as feed for milch cows. As
yet no fertilizers are applied to pastures, being used only
on field and garden crops, and as top-dressing for mead-
ows. The native trees are principally maple, beech, birch,
cherry, ash, hemlock and spruce. Elm, bass, poplar, pine
and balsam are occasionally met with, but are not as com-
mon as the first named. Each of the first five are found
in two or more distinct varieties. Oak, chestnut and
hickory do not grow in the limits of the town. The writer
is informed by an old resident, that so far as known, only
one chestnut tree has ever arrived at maturity here. This
stood about half a mile north of the meeting-house, but
was struck by lightning and destroyed many years since.
Very little of the original growth of timber is now stand-
ing, though first growth rock maples are still quite com-
mon, and a few beeches yet remain. Scarcely any first
quality spruce lumber is now produced in town. Enough
PRODUCTIONS AND TIMBER. 15
second quality may be had for such dimension lumber and
rough boarding as are needed by the inhabitants for
building purposes. Finishing lumber, clapboards and
shingles are mostly obtained from lumber dealers in the
larger towns. Clapboards from native bass are occasion-
ally used. Hard wood lands when cleared without burn-
ing, are soon covered with a growth of spruce and hemlock,
while soft wood lands cleared in the same way, are apt to
spring up to cherry, white birch or poplar. The price for
hard body wood is $3 per cord, delivered. One of the
first things attended to by the early settlers after being
comfortably located, was the setting out of an apple orch-
ard. These in most cases nourished and bore fruit well.
Many of these produced only natural fruit, a part only
being grafted. From the natural fruit great quantities
of cider were manufactured, every farmer putting into
the cellar for use during the year at least six or eight
barrels, and many a much larger quantity. Some of these
ancient apple trees still remain and the site of some of the
old houses is marked by the proximity of a few of these
trees. Other orchards have taken their places, and the
town now produces of grafted fruit in an average year,
more than double enough for the use of the inhabitants.
On account of the elevated situation, grapes and peaches
do not thrive. Pears do rather better. Blackberries
grow wild in abundance. Raspberries and wild straw-
berries are less plenty.
CHAPTER II.
Early Civil History.— " Hatfield Equivalent." — Grants.— First Settlers.—
First Town Meeting. — Subsequent Meetings. — List of Selectmen. — Town
Clerks. — Representatives in General Court.
Plantation No. 5, which included both Cummington
and Plainfield, was sold at public vendue. June 2, 1762.
at the "Royal Exchange Tavern in King St.," Boston,
to John Cummings, for 1800 pounds, he paying twenty
pounds down and giving a bond for the remainder. At
a division of lots, Dec. 29, 1762, the names of twenty-seven
others are recorded as having bocome proprietors. March
16, 1785, the north part of Cummington was set off and
incorporated as the District of Plainfield. It appears that
the state for some public service performed had given a
certain tract of land to the town of Hatfield. This land
was afterwards incorporated into the area of other towns,
and a section north and west was given to Hatfield in its
stead. This latter was known as "Hatfield Equivalent."
Plantation No. 5, when surveyed, was found to include a
large part of this " Equivalent." What the exact limits
of this tract were I am unable to ascertain. It was prob-
ably as large as an ordinary township, and extended north
into the east part of Hawley, beyond the southwest corner
of Buckland and possibly to Charlemont. In shape it
was irregular, the south part extending further west than
the north part. Frequent mention is made of the tract in
the early town records and deeds. It is certain that it ex-
(16)
HATFIELD EQUIVALENT. 17
tended south within half a mile at least of Cummington
line. The farm of John Hamlen, now occupied by E. A.
Atkins, the farm of Marshall Stetson, and also that of
Ebenezer Nash, lying east of Russell Tirrell's, are de^
scribed in the several deeds as consisting of certain lots,
designated by number, of Hatfield Equivalent. Simon
Burroughs, who lived just north of J. W. Sears, is men-
tioned as being a resident of Hatfield Equivalent. "At
a Legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the District of
Plainfield, at Samuel Streetor's barn, on the twenty Ninth
Day of July, A. D. 1788, Voted that they would take no
Notice of the Request of No. 7 (Hawley) which was as Fol-
lows, Viz. : first that they had Enominated Nine men, and
we Should choose one out of Sd Number, and the Equiv-
alent one and No. 7 the third, to Settle the dispute respect-
ing the Equivalent being annexed to Plainfield, if not
they would leave it to the Selectmen of three Towns
which they Enominated, and if we would not comply with
either of the proposals they would have us make them
some," &c. March 10, 1789, "Voted that Capt. John
Cunningham. Jeremiah Robinson and Simon Burroughs
[serve] as a Committee to meet, the Committees from No.
7. Charlemont and Hatfield Equivalent, in order to Choose
an Indifferant Committee to Determine the Dispute that
has so long Subsisted between No. 7, Plainfield, and Hat-
field Equivalent. '' Several similar votes were passed dur-
ing the next year or two, and the matter appears to
have been settled before 1704, for the record of a meeting
held April 7. 17')4, states that " made choice of Peter B.
Beals. as a Committee to Examine into the matter concern-
ing the Vacancyes laid out in what was formally called
Hatfield Equivalent." &c. March 12, 1702, "Voted to
2
18 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
accept of a Tract of Land lying east of Plainfield and
west of Ashfield, with the Inhabitants living thereon."
The only inhabitants living on this tract, so far as known,
were Joseph Clark and Jonathan Beals, and their fami-
lies. This tract was a gore not previously included in the
limits of any town, and was bounded as follows: Begin-
ning at a point on the present Ashfield line nearly due
east from Wm. Jones's, thence following said line to the
southwest corner of Ashfield, thence west 17° south 105
rods on the present Cummington line, thence a little east
of north in a direct line to the place of beginning. This
last described line crossed the road which leads by Geo. E".
Harris's, passing very near where his house now stands.
Joseph Clark, before named, lived in a house which stood
a few rods east of Harris's. Jonathan Beals, it is sup-
posed, lived about one-fourth of a mile south, on an old
road, now discontinued. June 21, 1803, one mile of the
south side of Hawley was set off to the District of Plain-
field, since which time the town lines have remained un-
altered. May 15, 1800, it was " voted unanimously to
petition the General Court to set off the District of
Plainfield from Cummington and incorporate it into a
town." This was accordingly done June 15, 1807. So far
as appears, districts had all the privileges of towns, ex-
cept that they had no representative in General Court
and were joined to some other town for the purpose of ob-
taining such representation.
" THE GRANT."
A tract in the northeast part of the town was early
granted to Mr. Mayhew for services among the Indians.
EARLY SETTLERS. 1&
The north part of this grant was soon after transferred
to one Wainwright, whose name it subsequently bore.
The boundaries of Wainwright's grant are believed to be
as follows: Beginning at the northwest corner, the same
being the northeast corner of the Ebenezer Nash farm,
thence running easterly on the south line of the farm now
owned by A. L. Richmond, and continuing on the same
range to Ashfield line; this was the northern boundary.
The western boundary ran from the first named corner
southerly on the east line of the Ebenezer Nash farm, Ste-
phen Parsons's and H. S. Packard's lands to the northeast
corner of the Rufus P. Bates lot, now owned by Homer
Cook. The south line ran easterly from this corner to
Ashfield line, following the range of the north line of the
Bates lot. This grant contained about 1000 acres.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Most of the early settlers came from Abington, Bridge-
water and Weymouth, Mass. The first settler who resided
within the present limits of the town was a Scotchman
named Mclntire, who came here with his family in 1770,
and located near where Mrs. Mary A. Dunning now lives,
in the north part of the town. The following persons,
and doubtless a number of others, had settled here before
1780, viz. : Lieut. Joshua Shaw, Andrew Cook, Isaac Joy,
Caleb White, Lieut. Ebenezer Colson, Lieut. Samuel
Noyes, Ebenezer Bisbee, Abram Beals, John Streeter,
Jonathan Monroe, and Noah Packard. The first birth
recorded is that of Hannah Cook, Oct. 6, 1774-, daughter
of Andrew Cook.
20 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
FIRST TOWN MEETING.
The following is a copy of the warrant calling the first
town meeting, and also of the record of the proceedings
at that meeting :
Hampshire, ss. To Isaac Joy of Plainfield. in the
County of Hampshire, aforesaid, yeoman. Greeting:
Pursuant to an act of the Commonwealth for erecting
the Northerly part of Cummington. in the County of
Hampshire, into a District by the Name of Plainfield,
and investing the Inhabitants of the said District with
all the Privileges and Immunities that other Towns or
Districts within this Commonwealth Do Enjoy; Also Im-
powering Nahum Eager, Esqr. to Issue his Warrant
Directed to Some Principle Inhabitant of sd District,
Requiring him to call a meeting of said Inhabitants in
order to Choose Town Officers, as by Law Towns or Dis-
tricts are Impowered to Choose in the month of March
Annually; These are therefore in the Name of the Com-
monwealth of Massachusetts to Require you the sd Isaac
Joy to Notify and Warn the Inhabitants of the sd District
of Plaintield, that they assemble themselves together at
the Dwelling-house of Mr. Simon Burroughs, in said Plain-
field, on Monday, the 25th Day of July. Instant, at One
of the Clock in the afternoon, then and there to Choose
all such Officers as Towns within this Commonwealth are
Impowered to Choose in the month of March Annually.
Hereof you nor they may not fail. Given under my Hand
and Seal at Worthington, this 14th Day of July, A. D.
1785. NAHUM EAGER, Justice Peace.
" At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the District of
Plainfield, at the dwelling-house of Mr. Simon Burroughs,
in said district, on Monday, the 25th day of July, A. D.,
1785, Lieut. Ebenezer Colson was chosen Moderator; Lieut.
Joshua Shaw, District Clerk; Lieut. Ebenezer Colson,
Lieut. John Packard and Lieut. John Cunningham,
Selectmen; Lieut. Joshua Shaw, District Treasurer; Simon
Burroughs, Constable; Isaac Joy and Lieut. John Pack-
ard. Tythingmen; Josiah Torrey, Solomon Nash, Nathan
Fay, William Daniels, Jacob Clark, Abijah Pool, Jona-
FIRST TOWN MEETING. 21
than Munroe. David White and Daniel Streetor, Survey-
ors of Highways; Lieut. Samuel Noyes, Surveyor of Lum-
ber: Daniel Streetor, Sealer of Leather; John Streetor.
Fence Viewer; Asa Joy and Azariah Beals, Hogreeves;
David White, Field Driver; John Streetor, Deer-rieff ; the
meeting dissolved. " Simon Burroughs, at whose house this
meeting was held, lived about twelve rods north of J. W.
Sears's house (formerly occupied by Newell Dyer.) The
site of the Burroughs house can still be distinctly traced.
It was torn down one night by some citizens to prevent its
occupancy by a negro family who were about to move
into it. The next eight meetings were held " at the dwel-
ling-house of Mr. Jonathan Munroe," whose house stood
where that of the late Lewis Shaw now stands; then at
" Capt. John Cunningham's new barn." This was on what
is now known as the " Strong place.*' about a mile north
of the village. During the summer and winter of 1788.
town meetings, which were frequent in those days, were
held at Samuel Streetcar's barn. Then a meeting kt to
choose one Governor, one Lt. Governor, and four Sena-
tors."' was held April ii. 178!). in " Capt. Cunningham's
new barn;" again. May 1 1. 1780. a meeting " to vote for a
Representative for the Great and General Court'' (with
Cummington) was held at Lieut. David White's. By
this time the voters had evidently had enough of ' barn ''
meetings, and until August, 179^, meetings were held "at
the dwelling-house of Mr. Samuel Streetor." This house
stood where S. H. Sears's house now stands, just north of
the meeting-house, or possibly it might have been the
present structure, which was erected about that time.
Aug. 20, 175)2. the first meeting-house was sufficiently
completed for a town-meeting to be held in it. and it was
22 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
ever afterwards used for such meetings, as well as for
service on the Sabbath. Only those persons having a free-
hold estate of the annual income of three pounds, or any
other estate to the value of sixty pounds, were allowed to
vote for State officers.
LIST OF SELECTMEN.
The following is a list of Selectmen from 1785 to the
present time (1891,) with the year of their first election,
and number of years service:
Ebenezer Colson.
John Packard,
John Cunningham.
Caleb White,
David White.
Isaac Joy,
Ebenezer Bisbee.
James Porter,
James Richards.
Jeremiah Robinson.
Joseph Beals.
Thomas Shaw.
James Hay ward,
Ebenezer Colson. Jr..
John Hamlen.
Peter B. Beals,
Amos Crittenden.
Elijah Warner,
Nehemiah Joy,
Jacob Joy,
Robert Beals.
st Elected.
Years of Service,
1785
•>
. .
3
. 4
11
178G
4
1 1
1
1788
•>
t i
15
* t
1
1790
•n
1791
i
1795
l
1798
3
. <
2
1799
7
1800
1!)
1803
1
1804
1
4 i
18
1808
1814
1
1819
4
LIST OF SELECTMEN
23
Iram Packard,
John Packard, Jr..
John Mack,
Justus Warner.
Samuel Shaw.
Erastus Bates.
Jacob Pratt.
Isaac K. Lincoln.
John Carr,
Samuel White,
Stephen Gloyd,
William Robinson,
Jerijah Barber.
Albert Dyer,
Wm. N. Ford,
Elias Giddings,
Stephen Hayward.
Freeman Hamlen.
Wm. A. Hawley,
Levi N. Campbell.
Wanton C. Gilbert,
Lewis Shaw,
Samuel W. Lincoln.
Samuel Dyer,
Joseph Sears,
Fordyce Whitmarsh,
Merritt Torrey,
Merritt Jones,
Jacob W. Pratt,
Homer Cook,
Stephen Hayward, Jr.,
First Elected. Years of Service.
1821 4
1822
1824 3
1825 2
182(i 8
1828 3
1831 3
1832 2
1833 3
1834 4
1835 12
1830 4
1837 7
1840 4
1842 4
] 843 1
1845 6
1841!
1848 2
1840 22
1854 1
18
1855 8
1
1857
1858 2
18<i0 7
18(33 1
18(i7 5
1871 11
1872 2
t Elected.
Y.
j ars of Service
187:5
r»
1874
187<;
1878
â– v
188:;
5
1887
1
1 8SS
3
» »
•>
-*>
181)0
l
24 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
]
Setli W. Clark.
James A. Nash.
James A. Winslow.
Edwin A. Atkins.
Levi W. Gloyd.
Joseph W. Sears.
Albert N. Gurney.
Harold S. Packard.
Daniel H. Gonld,
The present board elected March 2, ls'.tl. arc— Albert N.
Gurney, Daniel H. Gould. Joseph W. Sears. The Select-
men have always served as Assessors and Overseers of the
Poor.
LIST OF TOWN CLERKS.
The following is a list of Town Clerks since 1785. with
the year of their first election and number of years ser-
vice. Town Clerks have, without exception, been chosen
and served as Town Treasurer:
Joshua Shaw.
John Cunningham.
James Richards,
Thomas Shaw.
John Mack,
Cyrus Joy,
Robert Beals,
Justus Warner.
Leavitt Hallock.
Erastus Bates,
First Elected.
Years of Service
1785
10
17!) 5
•>
•v
17!»7
4
1801
14
1815
3
1818
3
1821
7
1828
1
182!)
2
1831
1
REPRESENTATIVES IN GENERAL COURT. 25
First Elected.
Years of Service.
John Mack, Jr.,
1832
1
Jason Richards,
1833
12
Jacob Clark,
1841
3
Levi Clark.
1848
5
Freeman Hamleii.
1853
23
Charles N. Dyer.
1870
15
REPRESENTATIVES IN GENERAL COURT.
Since the incorporation of Plainiield as a town in 1808,
the following persons have had the honor of representing
the town in the Legislature. When no dates are given
the town was not represented:
ISOS-D-lo. John Cunningham.
1811-12, James Richards.
1813-14-15. John Hamlen.
1810, James Richards.
1811), Cyrus Joy.
1821. Elijah Warner.
1823-20, John Hamlen.
L827, ' Elijah Warner.
1 828-2! >-3(), John Mack.
1831-2-3-4, Erastus Bates.
1835-30, Elijah Clark.
1S37, . John Carr.
183'J-40. Stephen Gloyd.
1841-42. Jason Richards.
1S44-40. Jerijah Barber.
1840, Leavitt Hallock.
1850-51, Freeman Hamlen.
1852-53. Wanton C. Gilbert.
1854, Levi N. Campbell.
'<W HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
Mr. Campbell was the last elected under the old system.
The present district system went into operation in 1857.
and the followiiig named were elected from Plainrield to
serve in the years named:
18(30, Samuel W. Lincoln.
1864, Levi N. Campbell.
1871, Stephen Hay ward. Jr.
1877, Merritt Torrey.
•1884, James A. Winslow.
1801, Edwin A. Atkins.
The district at first comprised the towns of Cumrning-
ton, Goshen. Middlefield, Plainfield and Worthington.
In 1806 Chesterfield was added, in is7fi Huntington, and
in 18S0 Westhampton.
CHAPTER III.
Church History.— Early Ministers.— Organization op First Church.— List or
Original Members.— First Meeting-House.— Price of Materials. — Plan of
Interior.— Dedication.— Belfry and Bell.— Sundry Items. — Call and Set-
tlement of Rev. Moses Hallock. — Installation.— Entertainment.
Previous to the incorporation of Plainfield as a district,
the inhabitants attended church at Cumtnington, and
formed part of the ministerial charge of the Rev. James
Briggs. One of the first acts of the settlers after being set
off from Cummington. was to take measures to provide
stated preaching. Aug. 11, 17S5, "Voted to raise 14
pound to hire preaching the present year,"' also, ' Voted
that Isaac Joy, Lieut. John Packard and Lieut. John
Cunningham be a committee to hire a Gospel Minister to
preach with us." Sept. 5, 1785, ''Voted that the west
side the brook inhabitants should have their proportion-
able part of the preaching on that side said brook," July
2i, 178(5. '" Voted to agree with Mr. James Thompson to
preach with us four Sabbaths on probation." May 14,
1787, ''Voted unanimously to give Mr. James Thompson
a call to settle in the work of the ministry among us. "
This for some reason was not accepted. It seems that Mr.
Thompson was not the first who preached here, for March
12, 1787: " Voted to allow Andrew Cook's account for
boarding Mr. Hatch while he was preaching with us, 19s,
and what he paid Mr. Hatch for preaching, G pounds."
(27)
28 HISTORY OF PLAIXFTELD.
ORGANIZATION OF FIRST CHURCH.
Plainfield, Aug. 31. 17sc». At the desire of a number of
the inhabitants of Plainfield, a district of Cummington,
convened the Rev. Timothy Allen. James Briggs and
Elisha Fish, to lead them in forming into a church state.
The Rev. Timothy Allen was chosen Moderator, and
Elisha Fish, Scribe. Mr. James Thompson, preacher of
the gospel, was invited to sit and assist in this business.
Accordingly the aforesaid inhabitants of Plainfield pre-
sented themselves and exhibited such satisfactory evi-
dence by letters from the churches to which they belong-
ed, and by answering to questions propounded to them, of
the propriety of proceeding to incorporate them into a
church state, that the Revd gentlemen aforesaid thought
fit, and accordingly did incorporate said persons into a
visible church of Christ.
Timothy Allen, Moderator.
Attest,
Elisha Fish. Scribe.
This is a true copy of the proceedings of the council who
formed the persons aforesaid into a visible church of Christ
in Plainfield.
Attest,
Moses Hallock, now pastor of said church.
The following is a list of the original members:
Andrew Ford, Martha Nash,
Sarah Ford, Elijah Ford.
John Packard. Solomon Ford.
Hannah Packard, Amy White,
Andrew Ford. Jr.. Martha Town,
Sarah Ford. Martha Robinson.
Solomon Nash. Molly Packard.
This church celebrated the 100th anniversary of its in-
corporation, Aug. 31, 188(5. An address of welcome was
given by the acting pastor, Rev. F. G. Webster, and Rev.
Solomon Clark, a former pastor, delivered a most interest-
ing discourse. Homan Hallock. son of Rev. Moses. Rev.
Leavitt H. Hallock of Portland, Me.. Rev. Wm. Hallock
FIRST MEETING HOUSE.
3>0
of New Jersey, and Charles Halloek, grandson of the
same, were present and made short addresses, and in other
ways added greatly to the interest of the occasion. The
exercises occupied nearly the whole day, many former
residents being present and taking part in the exercises.
The church now has 78 resident members, and 12 non-
resident.
FIRST MEETING HOUSE — LOOKING NORTHWEST.
Aug. Hi, 1787, a committee was appointed " to measure
and find the center of Plainfield, and likewise to agree
upon a place which they shall think most proper for erect-
ing a meeting-house upon." May 2'S, 1701, " Voted that
the spot of ground west of the road leading from Samuel
Streetcar's to Robinson's corn-mill, and south of the road
leading from Samuel Streetor's to his saw-mill, and joining
upon said roads, be the spot of ground to build a meeting-
house upon; f)7 yeas and 4 nays." Oct. 27, 1701, it was
30 HISTORY OP PLAINFIELD.
voted to build the meeting-house on the spot fixed upon,
and that the dimensions should be 55^-x424. Nov. :>,
" Voted that Caleb White, Capt. John Cunningham. Capt.
James Richards, Andrew Cook, and John Hamlen be a
committee to receive notes of those persons who purchase
Pews, likewise that they procure material and carry on
the building said meeting-house in such a manner as shall
be most advantageous to the district.*' The following
prices were established for materials, delivered on the spot:
Good Hemlock boards. £l-c>s. per M.
Spruce " 1-ii
" Clapboards. l-<;
Ash Slitwork, 3-4. 1-10
" Pine boards, inch thick, 3-0
Nails were estimated by count instead of by the lb. lOd
nails, 9s. per M. ; 8d nails, »5s. Sd. per M. ; -kl nails, 3s. per
M. Voted that the joints in the roof before shingling be
covered with birch bark. April 23, 1702, " Voted that the
owners of pews in the meeting-house provide rum to raise
said building." The meeting-house was raised soon after,
but owing to the limited resources of the district it was
not completed until 1707, five years afterwards. It was
dedicated June 15, 1797. Two sermons were preached on
the occasion, one by Rev. Aaron Bascom of Chester, and
the other by Rev. John Leland of Partridgefield, (now
Peru.) The meeting-house contained 44 pews below and
19 in the gallery, ranged on the outside against the wall.
The gallery was on three sides, the singers' seats being in
front of the gallery pews. Two were afterwards added
below and two above. The plan of the interior was copied
from the town records. The original was the work of
Joshua Shaw and James Richards. The figures in each
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32 HISTORY OF PLAIXFIELD.
pew indicate the number of dollars originally paid for it.
Above the high pulpit was hung the old-fashioned sound-
ing board, considered an indispensable feature in those
days. March 7, 1700, " Voted that the district provide
three wands for the tythingmen." A belfry with a steeple
was erected in 1800. a bell being procured at the same
time. It was cast at New Haven, Ct. . by Fenton & Coch-
rane, and weighs 050 lbs. It is the same bell now in use.
Its key was D, but is now nearly D flat, the pitch of in-
struments having been raised nearly half a tone since the
date of its manufacture. There was no means of heating
the meeting-house until 1822. when two stoves were pro-
cured and placed near the pulpit, not however without
considerable opposition. Before this time at the noon in-
termission during cold weather the people visited Samuel
Streetor's and one or two other houses near by to eat the
lunch they had brought with them, and absorb heat
enough if possible to last them through the long sermon
in the afternoon. Most of the elderly ladies carried " foot
stoves," in which they placed a dish of glowing coals
raked out of " Uncle Sam's " lire place, and carried with
them back to meeting. The men meanwhile had taken a
little good old rum internally to prevent the cold from
piercing their vitals. It was customary for the congrega-
tion to stand during the "long prayer.'' The seats in the
pews were hinged and movable. When the occupants of
a pew arose, these seats, which ran quite around the pew
except the doorway, were lifted, in order to give them
more standing room. When the " Amen " was pronounc-
ed these seats all came down into place with a bang and
clatter which would be astonishing to the present genera-
tion. In March. 1701, the church and district voted to
INSTALLATION — ENTERTAINMENT. 33
give Rev. Moses Hallock a call to settle with them in the
work of the gospel ministry. " Voted that the following
offers should be made to Mr. Hallock for his settlement
and maintenance, viz: Ninety pounds for his settlement
and forty-five pounds a year for the first two years, then
to increase five pounds a year until it amounts to sixty
pounds, there to remain. Mr. Hallock declined the call
at. this time on account of ill health. March 8, 1702, this
call was renewed with the same offers as before, " his set-
tlement and salary to be paid, one quarter in cash, and
three quarters in farm produce at cash prices." The fol-
lowing are the prices named for produce:
Rye at 3s. 4d. per bush. Indian Corn at 2s. 8d. per bush.
Grown, grass-fed beef, at 20s. per hundred.
0-score pork at 34d. per lb.
Good, well dressed flax, at 7d. per lb.
This call being accepted, he was ordained and installed
July 11, 1702. The sermon was preached by Rev. Samuel
Whitman of Goshen, the text being from Ezekiel -1-1-23:
" And they shall teach my people the difference between
the holy and the profane, and cause them to discern be-
tween the unclean and the clean.'' June 14, 1702, " Voted
that an invitation be given to Ministers of the Gospel,
Candidates for the Ministry, Students of Colleges, togeth-
er with the Parents, Brethren and Sisters of Mr. Moses
Hallock, and such others as he shall see fit to invite, to an
Entertainment with the Council, at such place as shall
hereafter be appointed. Voted that Capt. John Cunning-
ham make the above Entertainment, in a decent and hand-
some manner, and lay his account before the district for
allowance.'' Aug. 20, " Voted to allow Capt. John Cun-
ningham ten shillings and three pence for Entertaining
the Council at the Ordination of Mr. Moses Hallock."
CHAPTER IV.
Sketch of Rev. Moses Hallock. †” His School.— Anecdotes.— Colleague Called.
— I!ev. Dana Goodsell. — "Stop that Preparation. "'— His Successors.— Dea-
cons.— Present Meeting-House. — Daniels Fund.— Organization of First Par-
ish.— Baptist Society.— Advent Chapel.
Rev. Moses Hallock was born on Long Island, Feb. 1H,
1700. Before devoting himself to study, he served some
time in the Revolutionary army. Graduated at Yale in
1788. His divinity studies were pursued under the in-
struction of Rev. Samuel Whitman of Goshen, Mass.,
where his parents resided. The house which he built and
in which he lived and died, is now occupied by James
Spearman. Except as it has gradually fallen into decay,
it remains in nearly the same form in which he left it.
It is hoped that in the near future it may be repaired and
preserved, on account of the many hallowed associations
which cluster around it. His labors during the long pe-
riod of his ministry were acceptable and useful in a re-
markable degree and were greatly blessed. He was re-
spected and beloved by all. Mr. Hallock for thirty years
taught a private school, in which he fitted young men for
college, they boarding in his house. More than 300
availed themselves of the privileges of this school. Among
them were Wm. Cullen Bryant, the poet, James Richards,
Jonas King, Pliny Fisk, Levi Parsons and William Rich-
ards, foreign missionaries, Dr. Samuel Shaw and Prof.
James Havward. At that time families were more eco-
(U)
SKETCH OF REV. MOSES HALLOCK. 35
nomical and lived on much coarser and plainer food than
now. Pies, cakes and sweetmeats as every day articles
of food were not used. One gentleman who brought his
son to Mr. Hallock to he schooled, told him that at home
the boy had been in the habit of having gingerbread, and
wished that it might be furnished him at Mr. Hallock's.
" Yes," said Mr. Hallock, ""he shall have gingerbread."
SoOn after he said to Mrs. Hallock, in his dry way.
" When you make your next batch of brown bread will
you please put some ginger in it." In illustration of his
simple honesty it is related, that owning a farm, he had
at one time a pair of young oxen which he wished to sell.
One of his neighbors learning the fact, called, and after
looking the cattle over said, " I will give you sixty dol-
lars for them." Said Mr. Hallock, " They are not worth
so much; you shall have them for fifty dollars." In the
spring of 1820, after having discharged the duties of his
office with uncommon fidelity for nearly thirty-seven
years, he made the following communication to his be-
loved people:
" To the Inhabitants of the Town of Pla infield:— My
Brethren and Friends: The time approaches when I shall
no longer be your minister. This awfully responsible,
though pleasant work, must soon be committed to the
hands of some other man. I have entered my seventieth
year ' and know not the day of my death.' When a pa-
rent is about to die he endeavors to set his house in order,
that it may be well with his family after his decease.
With equal ardor I desire that you as a religious commu-
nity, may have a good minister of Jesus Christ when my
lips shall be unable to teach knowledge. Before I die, I
wish to see my pulpit occupied by such a minister; and
may he be far more useful to old and young than his pre-
decessor, and as much respected. As soon as you are ready
to settle another minister, which will probably be in a year
or two, I will consent, the church and congregation re-
questing it, that the ordaining council should dismiss me
36 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
on the day of the ordination. It is not uncommon in cases
like this, that the town make some provision for the sup-
port of the worn out pastor. If you should please by legal
vote, to commit to my disposal as my own property, the
pew which my family occupy, or some other as valuable,
and also to exempt me and the little property I may pos-
sess from all kinds of taxation during my life, it will be
thankfully accepted." (Signed) MOSES HALLOCK.
Rev. David Kimball was installed colleague pastor with
Rev. Mr. Hallock, March 2, 1831. Mr. Hallock died at his
home in Plainfield, July 17, 1837, aged 77 years. He was
interred in the cemetery north of the church. His tomb-
stone bears the following inscription:
The Reverend Moses Hallock.
Born at Brookhaven, L. I., Feb. 16, 1760.
Reared by Godly parents, Goshen, Mass.
Graduated at Yale College, 178S.
Ordained and installed first pastor of the
Church in Plainfield, July 11, 1792.
Ministered to a confiding and united people
45 years-
Died July 17, 1837, aged 77 years.
At 70 he requested a colleague, having
Received to the churoh 358 members,
Instructed 304 pupils— 50 became ministers,
7 missionaries.
A man of patriarchal simplicity, integrity,
Sincerity, kindness. Without an enemy.
He loved, studied, preached, exemplified the
Bible, and gloried in the Cross.
Rev. David Kimball was dismissed and his successor.
Rev. Dana Goodsell, installed Sept. 27, 1837. Mr. Good-
sell was inclined to be overbearing in his manner, and was
not very popular. The following story is related. Some
little time previous to his settlement, violins and one or
two bass-viols had been introduced into the meeting-house
gallery to assist the choir. It was necessary of course that
these instruments should harmonize, and the players were
in the habit of gathering in the gallery a short time pre-
HIS SUCCESSORS. 37
vious to the opening of service, and tuning their various
instruments. Mr. Goodsell had not much knowledge of,
and no ear for music. One Sabbath morning when they
were tuning their instruments, as usual, Mr. Goodsell rose
in the pulpit and raising his voice said, " I insist on that
preparation being stopped." At noon when he started to-
ward home for his dinner, David Shaw, one of the violin
players, fell in a few rods behind him with his violin in
hand, and following him through the street to his house,
twanged out the lively notes of a march. Mr. Goodsell
was dismissed Sept. 23, 1839. The next settled pastor was
Rev. Wm. A. Hawley, who was installed July, 21, 18-41,
and dismissed Oct. 5, 1847. He was immediately succeed-
ed by Rev. H. J. Gaylord, who served four years and was
dismissed Oct. (5, 1851. Rev. D. B. Bradford was installed
June 10, 1852, and dismissed May 17, 185-4. From this
time until January, 1858. the church had no permanent
pastor. At this time the Rev. Solomon Clark commenced
his labors and continued acting pastor until April, 1886,
a period of over 28 years. His ministry was greatly
blessed, he having received into the church during his
pastorate here upwards of 150 members. Mr. Clark was
never formally settled, but was hired from year to year.
The church having had some trouble with previous pastors
thought it a better policy not to settle another. From
April, lS8ti, to April, 1888, the pulpit was supplied by
Rev. F. G. Webster, who also preached at the same time
at Cummington, where he resided. From May, 1888, to
March, 1889, Rev. Geo. E. Spaulding supplied. At the
latter date he was obliged to resign on account of ill health.
In June, 1889, Rev. John A. Woodhull, by invitation,
assumed the duties of acting pastor, and has continued in
HISTOKY ok PLAIXFIEJ,I)r
5
DEACONS — PRESENT MEETING HOUSE. 30
that position until the present time, to the general satisfac-
tion of church and parish. He has quite recently received
and accepted a call to become our settled pastor,
DEACONS.
The first deacons chosen were John Packard and James
Richards, Nov. 15, 1792. Joseph Beals, April 29, 1803.
He was the " Mountain Miller," the subject of a tract writ-
ten by Rev. Wm. A. Hallock, which has had a world-
wide circulation. Robert Beals, Sept. 23, 1813; Erastus
Bates, June 27, 1828; John Carr, Sept. 0. 1834; Wm. N.
Ford, Nov. 11, 1841; Freeman Hamlen, Aug. 30, 1844; Je-
rijah Barber, May 5, 1855; Wm. A. Bates, Nov. 10, 1807;
Seth W. Clark and James A. Winslow, March 3, 1877.
The last two named still hold the office.
PRESENT MEETING-HOUSE.
The first meeting-house was torn down and the present
structure erected in 1840. The cost of the building was
$2,450. It is believed that this was a great mistake, and
that it would have been much less expensive to have re-
modeled the old meeting-house. The old frame was much
heavier and stronger, and of more permanent character
than that of the present building. This plan was favored
by some at the time, but the majority favored a new build-
ing, and using the language of a local poetic genius:
"So down they tare
The house of prayer."
Early in 1890, the large pulpit was removed from the
present edifice, and a handsome modern desk, the gift of
Mrs. Woodhull, wife of the pastor, was placed on the plat-
40 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
form. A low gallery for the choir was constructed at the
rear of the platform where the old pulpit formerly stood.
The present building originally had a very tall spire, which
was blown off by a hard wind in the fall of 185!), and was
replaced by one much lower.
DANIELS FUND.
In February. 1890, the parish was the recipient of over
§1300 as a permanent fund, the income to be used to assist
in sustaining preaching. The donor was Mr. Horace
Daniels of Ashfield, a former resident.
ORGANIZATION OF FIRST PARISH.
Previous to 1838, no parish organization existed, all pru-
dential matters being attended to by the town in their
corporate capacity, the minister's salary and incidental
expenses being voted in town meeting and assessed like
other town charges. In that year the '* First Parish and
Religious Society " was organized and assumed these
duties. It now numbers thirty members. The last origi-
nal member deceased January 1, 1891, Mr. Roswell
Davison. A Sunday School was first established here in
1819. The school is still in a flourishing condition, num-
bering about 100 members.
BAPTIST SOCIETY.
• A Baptist Society was* formed in the east part of the
town, Feb. 25, 1833, the first meeting being called by Asa
Thayer, under a warrant from Nehemiah Richards, Esq. ,
of Cummington. The church was organized June 18,
1833, and consisted of 22 members. Their services were
ADVENT CHAPEL. 41
held at first in the brick school-house, but later a chapel
was erected at the fork of the roads east of A. B. Cole's.
Among those who have preached for the society were El-
ders McCullock, Eggleston, Kingsley, Newton, Pease, A.
H. Sweet, and James Clark. Their first deacons were
Asa Thayer and Jeremiah Stockwell. Jacob Jones, Jr.
was afterwards chosen. The society finally became so
weakened by deaths and removals, that services were dis-
continued and the organization was given up. The chapel
was torn down and removed about 1870.
ADVENT CHAPEL.
The Adventists erected a chapel in the west part of the
town near the North Pond and Henry S. Barton's, about
1JSS2, where occasional services are held. There is no or-
ganized society.
CHAPTER V.
Schools. — First Location of Houses.— Number Increased.— Reduced in Number
and Re-located.— " Movinq Committee."— Incidents of Removing. — District
System.— List of School Committee. — Statistics.— Names of Present Pupils
in the Public Schools.
Ili April, 1788, the district " Voted to raise thirty pounds
to be laid out in schooling the ensuing year:'' also "* Voted
that the Selectmen be a Committee to divide the District
into proper divisions for schooling." April 5, IT'.KJ, '" Voted
to build school-houses in each district for schooling. The
town at first was divided into three districts, North, South,
and West side of the brook. One school-house stood just
south of the Shaw grove about midway between the brick
store and the cemetery. The site can still be traced. One
stood midway between Wm. H. Dyer's house and the brook
on the north side of the road. The third stood where the
present one on West Hill stands. This number'was grad-
ually increased until in 1S37 the town had nine schools,
besides one union school with Hawley. Their locations
were as follows: The center house between the Town Hall
and C. N. Dyer's store, neither being then in existence —
one opposite J. O. Gloyd's — one at the corner east of David
Packard's, on the north side — one a few rods west of Amos
K. Griggs' — one at the corner near where Thaddeus Rood
formerly lived — one on the West Cummington road, half
a mile southwest of H. W. Beals' — one about midway be-
tween the Roswell Davison place and Edwin T. Torrey's,
(42)
FIRST LOCATION OF HOUSES. ±3
on the west side — one near the intersection below Daniel
Harris' in the extreme southwest part of the town — one
where the Advent Chapel stands, near Henry S. Barton's.
The union school-house was in Hawley, at the corner east
of Mark E. Howes's. This number was sustained until
1868, when the town voted to abolish the school districts,
or they were abolished by statute, and a Committee was ap-
pointed to reduce the number of schools and re-locate the
school-houses. This reduction seemed necessary, as the
number of legal scholars was only about 100. The Com-
mittee recommended five schools. The town finally voted
six schools. The matter was only adjusted after much
wrangling and numerous town meetings, and much ill
feeling was engendered by the proposed changes. The
following persons were chosen to superintend the removal
and repair of the several school-houses, viz. : Joseph
Sears, Francis W. Joy, Merritt Torrey, Russell Tirrell,
Austin Cowing, and Homer Cook. This undertaking was
an arduous one, but was successfully accomplished . The
houses were placed on " runners" made of the trunks of
large trees, and were drawn by oxen. These teams, to-
gether with such help as was needed, were furnished by
the citizens gratuitously. A few teams in one or two in-
stances were procured from out of town, which were paid
for. The house near J. O. Gloyd's was removed to a loca-
tion a few rods north of where it now stands, on the oppo-
site side of the road. This site proving too wet, after a
few years the frame was removed to the present location
and newly covered, making practically a new house. This
stands on the site of the Major David Whiton house, and
is known as No. 2. The house west of A. K. Griggs' was
removed to its present site, about 25 rods north of John F.
44 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
Cook's. During the night previous to the day set for its
removal, the chains by which the oxen were to be attached
to the building, were stolen, and no trace of them was ever
discovered. This was quite a serious loss as the chains
were extra heavy ones made especially for the purpose.
Others were procured from out of town within two or three
hours, and the building was removed to its new location
before sundown of that day. This house is known as No.
â– i. It being impracticable to remove the house near H. S.
Barton's, it was used for school purposes until 1880, when
a new one to take its place, was built near Eugene Thatch-
er's. This is known as No. 4. The house which stood
southeast of Daniel Harris' was removed to its present
location north of H. Clark Packard's. This is known as
No. 5. No school has been kept here for two or three
years, the two or three scholars in this locality being pro-
vided by the town with school privileges at West Cum-
mington and Windsor. The house which stood on the
West Cummingtou road, southwest of the Wm. Robinson
place, was removed to the ancient site east of C. W. Pack-
ard's, and is known as No. 6. Previous to the last named
removal an attempt was made to remove the school-house
which stood north of E. T. Torrey's to this location, it
being much the better building. It was actually removed
some 40 rods, but the number of teams being insufficient,
it was decided to leave it until the next day. That night
the building was fired and burned to the ground. All the
houses, except No. 5, are provided with modern furniture,
and are in good repair. Under the old system, each dis-
trict was a corporation. School meetings were called in
the same manner as town meetings. One person was
chosen annually as Prudential Committee, with authority
LIST OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE. 45
to contract with teachers, etc. Previous to 1840 from three
to six persons were chosen annually by the town to serve
with the minister as Examining School Committee. In
that year it was voted that the Examining Committee con-
sist of three persons, and that they be paid for their ser-
vices. The following is a list of persons who have since
held that office, the year first chosen and number of years
service.
LIST OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Jason Richards,
First Chosen.
1840
Years of Service.
1
Albert Dyer,
it
13
Wm. N. Ford.
it
4
Levi N. Campbell,
1841
19
Rev. Wm. A. Hawley,
1842
10
Jason Tyrrell,
1843
2
S. S. Kingsley,
1845
1
Wm. Bassett,
a
2
Samuel Dyer,
Samuel W. Lincoln,
1848
1853
1
10
Jacob W. Pratt,
1854
3
Dr. Chas. Bowker.
1850
1
Edwin A. Atkins,
1857
4
Dr. John M. Eaton,
1859
â– â– v
Francis K. Cottrell.
1861
5
Seth W. Clark,
1803
13
Stephen Hay ward, Jr.,
Thaddeus Rood,
1805
1800
3
4
James A. Winslow,
1807
21
J. Sebert Whitmarsh.
1871
3
Charles N. Dyer,
1872
10
E. Baxter Pratt,
1874
1
First Chosen.
Years of Service
1875
3
1876
2
1870
3
1880
1
a
1880
1
4fi HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
Lewis Shaw,
Dr. Daniel E. Thayer,
Frank A. Gurney,
Sarah E. Howlett,
James W. Loud,
Wm. C. Smith,
The present board consists of Miss Azubah Howes.
James A. Winslow and Charles N. Dyer.
One of the first, if not the first teacher employed, was
Dea. James Richards, who taught a winter school in one
part or another of the town for more than 30 years. As a
rule, male teachers have been employed for winter and
female for the summer and fall terms. Select schools
have been occasionally taught during the fall months, the
expense of which was met by tuition fees paid by the
scholars. For some years the custom has been to have
two terms, in the spring and fall, of three months each,
in every school-house, No. 5 excepted, and a winter term
in No. 1, which is attended by the larger pupils from all
parts of the town. Since this arrangement, no select
schools have been taught here. $784 were expended by
the town the past year for schools, exclusive of school
books and repairs. This was derived from the following
sources: Raised by taxation, $450. Income of State School
fund, $303.45. Dog fund refunded to the town, $40.53.
The balance was used for repairs. The following is a list
of pupils who have attended school in town from April,
1800, to April, 1801. Whole number, 80. Between 5 and
15, 75. Between 8 and 14, 45. Ages given were taken at
beginning of school year.
LIST OP PUPILS.
47
Arthur H. Atkins,
Belle S. Barton,
Alice L. Billings,
Estella M. Cleveland,
Bessie B. Denio,
Grace E. Dyer,
L. Genevieve Dyer,
Clara A. Dunham,
F. Hallie Hoi den,
P. W. Hitchcock,Hawleyl8
Robert M. Sears, 13
Anna G. Sears, 11
Alvah E. Stetson, 20
Albert E. Stetson, 17
Mary E. Shaw, 15
Robert L. Streeter, 1G
Rosa M. Streeter, 14
LIST OF
School
AGE.
17
17
16
14
11
14
10
11
12
PUPILS.
No. 1.
Mary E. Winslow,
Hermie S. Butler.
Clara D. C. Butler,
Richard D. Butler,
Helen R. Dunham,
C. Frederick Dyer.
Anna M. King,
Charles R. King,
Bell Morse,
Ensign Morse, Jr.,
Minnie B. Packard,
Hattie G. Parker,
Julia Smith,
Florence Stetson,
Harry J. Stetson,
Hilda Swanson,
Nina L. Veber,
AGE.
16
13
6
5
7
5
5
5
4
6
10
8
13
8
10
Agnes M. Fenton,
Helen B. Fenton,
Lucy A. Gloyd,
Joseph A. Gloyd,
Mary A. Gloyd,
Enos R. Hawks,
Arthur J. Hawks,
Alden C. Holden,
School No. 2.
AGE. AGE.
11 Herbert T. Kinney, 13
9 Albert N. Lincoln, 10
14 Fred Lincoln, 8
12 Jane A. Loud, 15
10 Mary E. Loud, 12
15 Angus C. Loud, 10
12 Bertie S. Longley, 11
11 Edith G. Shaw, 10
Herbert H. Willcutt, 11.
4S
HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
Srhool
AGE.
Bertie L. Billings,
13
Lucy E. Billings.
11
Ezra P. Billings,
7
Frank W. Dyer,
13
Willie H. Dyer,
11
Sadie A. Dyer,
8
Carrie E. Gardner,
7
Florence M. Gardner,
5
No 3.
AGE.
Frank E. Green. !)
Clara C. Scott, (Hawley.) s
Ralph L. Scott, (do.) i;
Fordyee A. Tliayer,
Willis D. Thayer.
Clara L. Thayer,
Chas. A. Tirrell.
Clarence W. Tirrell.
Ellen A. Blanchard,
Edna R. Blanchard,
10
14
s
I!
School No. 4..
AGE. AGE.
14 Lottie A. Ingrahm. 11
S Lillian C. Mason, 11
George A. Blanchard, 14 Harold E. Mason. S
Charles E. Thatcher. 0.
School No. 5.
AGE. AGE.
Robert Mason, 14 Theodore Meekins. 11
Daughter of Thos. Mason — Schooled at Windsor.
Schooled at W. Cummington.
School No. (>.
Blanche L. Cudworth.
Adelbert N. Dyer,
Mary E. Hammond,
John H. Packard,
Maggie A. Packard,
AGE.
7
13
12
Susan G. Streeter.
Allie M. Streeter,
Walter E. Streeter,
Willie Taylor,
Mabel A. Torrey,
G. Herbert Vincent,
AGE.
7
4
11
G
Joseph W. Packard, 5
We note with pleasure, that in the last ten years, the
number of pupils has increased from MO to SO.
Chapter vf.
Town Hall.— Roads. — Early Modks of Travel.— Lost in the Woods.— Early
Bridge Building. — Present System of Repairing Roads.— Road Commission-
ers.— Names of Streets. — Post Offices. — Postmasters.— First Mail Supply.
—Present Mail Facilities.— Early Rates of Postage.
The Town Hall was erected in 1847. It was built by the
late Capt. James Cook, by contract, for $900, five-ninths
of it being paid by the town, and four-ninths by the center
school district. The first floor, with the exception of a
small room used for keeping the town weights and meas^
ures and for the storage of books, was occupied for school
purposes. The school at that time was graded, and two
teachers were employed at least a portion of the year. The
larger school room occupied the entire north end, the
smaller one being in the southeast corner, with a,room
between for storing wood. In 1872, two rooms being no
longer necessary, the small room was doubled in size by
removing partitions, and has since been used as the only
school room. The old room at the north end was divided
by a partition, the east part being used for a wood room,
and the west part was given to the church and parish to
be used for prayer meetings and other gatherings, it being
fitted up by the ladies for that purpose. The hall was
painted last year (1890) both inside and out, and the in-
terior papered in an artistic manner. A portion of the
floor was carpeted with oil cloth.
4 (49)
50 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
ROADS.
It is very probable that quite a number of roads had
been laid out in the district while it was a part of Cum-
mington. These were most of them mere bridle paths, as
wheel vehicles with the exception of ox carts were rare.
The ordinary mode of travel was on foot or horseback.
If a grist was to be taken to the mill, it was slung across
the horse's back and given in charge of a boy who was
placed on top. On Sundays, a " pillion " was placed behind
the saddle which the " goodman " bestrode, while his wife
standing on the "horse block" nimbly mounted the
pillion, perchance with a baby in her arms, and clinging to
her husband they wended their way to the meeting-house,
the larger children following on foot. If they were fortu-
nate enough to possess a half-broken colt, this would
probably be proudly ridden by one of the older boys. It
must be remembered that the first roads laid out were not
where the principal roads are now. Some of them are
now unimportant, and many were long since discontinued.
It is related that about the year 1800, Mrs. Polly White,
mother of the late O. S. White, then a young married wo-
man of about 18, and who was settled with her husband on
the homestead so long occupied by them in the south part
of the town, started to visit a neighbor, Mrs. Samuel
Streeter, who lived where S. H. Sears now lives, something
over a mile distant. At that time the town was mostly cov-
ered with woods, and for a portion of the way the path was
indicated by marked trees. She missed the way and wan-
dered in the woods for an hour or less, when she heard at
some distance the cheerful notes of a dinner horn blown
by Mrs. Streeter to call the men to dinner, and directing
her steps toward the welcome sound, she soon reached the
BRIDGES. 51
house, we may presume in time for dinner. The roads
were rapidly improved, and new ones were every year con-
structed. Soon after this the "thorough brace" wagon
was introduced, which was thought to be the height of
perfection. If a journey of any length was to be taken
with it, a small kettle of tar was hung from the hind axle
to be used for lubricating purposes, it being thought nec-
essary to apply it as often as once in ten miles.
BRIDGES.
March 22, 1790, ** Voted that Simon Burroughs, Caleb
White and Jeremiah Robinson be a committee to view the
ground near Streeter's Saw-mill and Determine whether
it be necessary to build a bridge over the Brook just above
said mill or not. " Later at the same meeting it was voted
to build the bridge, which was probably one of the first in
town. After the meeting-house was built, several new
roads were very soon laid to accommodate the inhabitants
in attending church. The town is fortunate in having no
long bridges to support. Mill Brook is spanned by four.
The most expensive bridge is the one known as " High
Bridge," near Wm. H. Packard's. The stream at this
place is narrow but 25 or 30 feet below the road bed. This
bridge is of stone with culvert for the passage of the
water, with a superstructure of wood. It has been neces-
sary to rebuild this several times within the memory of
the writer.
METHODS OF REPAIR OF ROADS.
There are 42^ miles of road in town, now used. In 1885
the town purchased a "Victor" Road machine, which is
successfully used in repairing most of the roads. If prop-
52 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
erly used an excellent road is the result. The mounds or
water bars, formerly so numerous and annoying to the
traveler, have mostly disappeared since the machine has
been used. The roads are kept in repair by an annual
appropriation averaging about $800, while $300 is appro-
priated for breaking roads in winter. The roads were
formerly divided into 19 or 20 highway districts, each
under the supervision of a highway surveyor. The Leg-
islature of 1889 abolished this office, and all towns were
required to have a Superintendent of Streets, appointed by
the Selectmen, or a board of three Road Commissioners.
The town accepted the latter alternative and chose Warren
I. Dunham, A. N. Gurney and J. O. Gloyd. It is the
general opinion that for farming communities the old
system was preferable. At the annual meeting in March,
1891, this board was abolished, and W. I. Dunham was
appointed Superintendent of Streets by the Selectmen.
NAMES OF STREETS.
By an act of the Legislature of 1877, the Selectmen were
required to name all roads on which any person lived, and
specify the name of the street on which each voter lives,
both on the Register of Voters, and on posted lists of the
same. They are as follows: —
Bow, from Main to Grant, by S. Burt's.
Broome, from Central to Pleasant, by O. C. Burt's.
Bluff, from Prospect to Summit, by H. W. Beals'.
Central, from Hawley line past M. C. Butler's, J. W.
Sears' and W. E. Shaw's, to Cummington line.
East, from Main to Grant, by J. A. Winslow's.
Governor, from Prospect to Summit, by C. W. Packard's.
Grant, from Hawley line to Ashfield line, by Z. F. Cook's.
NAMES OP STREETS. 53
Hawley, from Main to Hawley line, by N. Barton's.
High, from River to Cummington, by A. N. Gurney's.
Hill, from Main to River, by C. F. Dunham's.
Liberty, from Prospect to terminus, by M. Stetson's.
Lincoln, from River to High, by N. W. Cook's.
Main, from Savoy line by Onslow Taylor's and the Center
of the town, past L. E. Parker's, to Ashfield line.
Maple, from Summit by O. Tirrell's, to terminus.
Mountain, from Prospect by M. Torrey's, to terminus.
North, from Central by A. L. Richmond's, to Ashfield line.
Parsons Avenue, from Central east to its terminus.
Pleasant, from Central by L. K. Thayer's, to Ashfield line.
Prospect, from Main by S. Stetson's, and W. M. Cleve-
land's, to Cummington line.
River, from Main by G. W. King's and Lester E. Street-
er's, to Cummington line.
South, from Pleasant by L. W. Gloyd's, to Cummington
line.
Stetson Avenue, from Main north by H. S. Barton's, to
Hawley line.
Summit, from Prospect to High, by Alden E. Streeter's.
Union, from Central, near the cemetery, by S. H. Sears'
and J. F. Gurney's, to River.
West, from Main by H. Clark Packard's, to Cummington
line.
Windsor Av., from West by D. Harris', to Windsor line.
POST OFFICES AND POST MASTERS.
A Post Office was established here in 1816, with John
Mack as Post Master. He held the office during his
lifetime and was succeeded by John Mack, Jr., and
Whitney Hitchcock. After him the office was held by
54 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
Abner Gurney, who kept it in his store in the L part of
the Moses Hallock house. He was succeeded by Leavitt
Hallock. He kept it for a time in his house, the same
now occupied by Mrs. Hamlen. Jacb Clark, Leonard
Campbell and Levi Clark each afterward held the office.
In 1856 Leonard Campbell was again appointed, and held
the office over 30 years until 188G. when he resigned and
Foster W. Gilbert was appointed and assumed the office,
Oct. 1, 1880. He tendered his resignation March 5, 1889,
and Charles N. Dyer, the present incumbent, was com-
missioned June 18, 188!). The first mail supply was from
Cummington, and was carried on foot by Kingman
Thayer, who made the trip once a week, bringing the mail
bag on his back. This route was afterward extended to
Shelburne Falls through Hawley and Buckland, and two
trips per week were made. Later a route was established
from South Deerfield to South Adams, through this town,
on which four-horse coaches were run. going out one day
and returning the next. When first established, the pres-
ent county road had not been laid. The stage when
coming from Ashfield ascended the hill just east of Samuel
and Lot Bassett's in Ashfield, passing the house, then on
by William Ford's and where Dea. Winslow lives, thence
to the village, and down the hill by S. C. Streeter's, — up
the stream over a section of road now discontinued, then
by Marshall Stetson's over the now discontinued road by
the Allis place, which intersected the present county road
near Henry S. Barton's. In 1885 a route was established
between Plainfield and Charlemont on the Fitchburg R.
R., through East Hawley, to run daily and return, by
which route the larger part of the mail is sent and received.
We are also supplied by a route running every other day
EARLY RATES OF POSTAGE. 00
from Ashfield to Adams, returning the next day. The
early postal rates were as follows: For distances not over
80 miles, 6±c— 80 to 150, 12£c— 150 to -100, 18|c— over 400,
25c. Prepayment optional. The method of conducting
the business of the post office 50 years ago, made it much
more complicated and vexatious than under the present
system.
CHAPTER VII.
Cemeteries.— Bill of Mortality.— List of Aoed Deceased. — suicides.— Sudden
Deaths.
The place earliest used in town for a cemetery, so far as
known, was the lot on the west side of the road, just north
of Mrs. Rachel Shaw's, now occupied by C. W. Streeter as
a pasture. Scarcely any trace of these early burials, of
which there were only a few, now remains. No headstones
were erected. Another ancient cemetery lies on the east
side of the road just south of the meeting-house. This was
in general use for perhaps twenty years, but was long
since abandoned. The last interment here was that of
Daniel Streeter, who suicided in 1855. Here were interred
Jeremiah Robinson, who owned and operated the first corn
mill in town, and his successor, Joseph Beals, the "Moun-
tain Miller," and their families. These last named have
been re-interred in the principal cemetery north of the
meeting-house. In 1889, the writer witnessed the disinter-
ment of the remains of Jeremiah Robinson, who died in
1824. Portions of the coffin still remained. One fragment
bore his initials, J. R., formed by brass-headed nails driven
into the wood, as was the custom in those days. Some
20 headstones bearing inscriptions still remain. — About
twenty persons were buried in the pasture about half a
mile north of Amos K. Griggs'. No headstones were
erected, but the graves can still be distinctly traced. —
(56)
CEMETERIES. 57
There is another old burial ground about a mile northwest
of Marshall Stetson's, on the old stage road now discon-
tinued. Here quite a number of headstones are still
standing. Among those interred here, is the wife of
Lemuel Allis, a Revolutionary pensioner. — On the farm of
the late Dexter Dyer, in the extreme southwest part of the
town, is a small yard where one or two families are buried.
— Near Dea. Winslow's, in the east part of the town, is
another, formerly used by the Stockwell family. Here are
a few graves, most of them marked by headstones. — A few
persons were buried in what is now a pasture, south of P.
H. Cudworth's, their graves being marked by headstones
with inscriptions. — A cemetery was early opened in the
southeast part of the town, near Wm. H. Dyer's. This
yard is nearly filled, most of the graves being marked with
headstones or monuments. Here are buried Capt. James
Hay ward, Abram and Jacob Clark, Elijah Warner, Sr.,
and Maj. David Whiton, who were among the first settlers.
It is enclosed by a stone wall, and is neatly kept and cared
for by Mr. Dyer. — In the southwest part of the town is
another yard which has been cared for by Orrin Tirrell.
This is well enclosed, and contains the handsome monument
erected to the memory of the late Orrin Tirrell, Sr., as well
as many other respectable headstones. The principal
cemetery of the town, which lies about £ of a mile north
of the meeting-house, was opened in 1808. The first person
buried there was Lieut. Solomon Shaw. This yard was
enlarged in 1850, and enclosed by a handsome stone wall.
This is now used almost exclusively by persons from all
parts of the town as a burial-place. Here are interred the
Rev. Moses Hallock, Dr. Jacob Porter, Dea. James Rich-
ards, John Mack, Dr. Samuel Shaw, Samuel Streeter,
58 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
Leavitt Hallock, and many others prominent in the history
of the town. A receiving tomb was built in the northwest
corner of the yard in 1884, by the town, and is used during
the winter months. We regret that the yard is not cared
for as it should be. It is proposed to organize a Cemetery
Association, composed of a number of our citizens, who
would be authorized to control it, and by whom it might
be enlarged and properly laid out. A small fee would be
charged for burial lots, which have heretofore been free,
the income from which would be used in caring for and
beautifying the grounds. It is hoped that the project will
be promptly carried out, as it is necessary that the grounds
be enlarged within a year or two, and every citizen should
be interested in it.
*
In that village on the hill
Never is sound of smithy or mill ;
The houses are thatched with grass and flowers,
Never a clock to tell the hours ;
The marble doors are always shut;
You may not enter at hall or hut.
All the village lie asleep,
Never a grain to sow or reap;
Never in dreams to moan or sigh —
Silent, and idle, and low, they lie.
In that village under the hill,
When the night is starry and still,
Many a weary soul in prayer
Looks to the other village there,
And weeping and sighing, longs to go
Up to that home from this below;
Longs to sleep by the forest wild,
Whither have vanished wife and child,
And heareth, praying, the answer fall, —
" Patience: That village shall hold you all! "
Rose Terry Cooke.
BILL OF MORTALITY. 59
So live that when thy 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, approach thy grave
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.
Bryant.
BILL OF MORTALITY.
This town is regarded as a very healthy locality, and 58
per cent, of the deaths in the last 25 years, have been of
persons over 70 years of age. The early church records
furnish by far the most complete list of deaths for the
period which they cover. Unfortunately in the church
records the ages are not given till 1802. Dr. Porter says,
"The following table exhibits the most complete list that
I have been able to obtain of the deaths from 1785, inclu-
sive, to the present time, with the name and age of the
oldest person who died in each year from 1802." His list
ends with the year 1833, and has been continued by the
writer up to the present year:
1785
1794
18
178(3
2
1795
2
1787
8
1796
11
1788
fj
1797
8
1789
•>
1798
1790
3
1799
10
1791
i)
1S00
13
1792
7
1801
1793 3
18
1802
9
Widow Macintire,
83
1803
30
John Carr,
94
1S04
15
Jacob Gloyd,
71
00 HISTORY OP PLAINFIELD.
1805
11
Dea. John Packard's wife,
00
1800
15
Widow Wliiton,
80
1S07
14
Dea. John Packard,
71
1808
18
Moses Curtis,
80
1809
8
Jacob Hawes,
08
1810
15
Widow Snow,
81
1811
11
Seth Ford's wife,
SO
1812
12
Jacob Joy,
77
IS 13
17
Dea. Joseph Beals,
01
1814
10
Ebenezer Beals,
83
1815
13
Jepthah Pool's wife,
00
1810
11
Widow Hannah Colson,
90
1817
12
Caleb Beals,
00
1818
14
Widow Hannah Smith,
75
1819
14
Widow Shaw,
81
1820
7
John Joy's wife,
39
1821
12
Benjamin Pool,
50
1822
10
Widow Daniels,
70
1823
13
Joseph Pool,
84
1824
15
Samuel Whitman,
!)3
1825
13
Dea. Gideon Shaw,
SO
1826
10
Levi Stetson,
SO
1827
8
Caleb Joy,
70
1828
9
Ammon White,
S2
1829
13
Noah Packard's wife,
75
1830
17
Benjamin Carr's wife,
82
1831
13
Widow Abigail Vining,
71
1832
7
Jacob Clark,
77
1833
9
Gideon Hammond,
90
1834
15
Abraham Clark,
83
1835
6
Ebenezer Bisbee's wife,
78
1830
10
Widow of Andrew Cook,
!)0
BILL OP MORTALITY. 01
1837 13 James Dyer, 95
1S38 12 Benjamin Carr, 02
1839 11 Widow Silence Clark, 83
1840 9 Caleb White, 06
1841 11 Mary Ann Noyes, 34
1842 21 Dea. James Richards, 85
1843 13 Paul McCoy, 85
1844 16 Samuel Streeter, 00
1845 9 Daniel Gurney, 80
184(i 12 Ebenezer Dickinson, 04
1847 15 Barnabas Packard, 83
1848 10 Olive Torrey, 85
1849 14 Sarah Beals, 00
1850 22 Sally Warner, 85
1851 10 Vincent Curtis, 01
1852 17 John Hamlen, 89
1853 17 Jacob Snow, 04
1855 12 Elizabeth Hayward, 87
1850 Alice Gloyd, 80
1857 12 Lois Nash, 02
1858 17 Sally Beals, 88
1859 8 Whitcomb Stetson, 84
1860 8 Jacob Beals, 77
1861 10 Jacob Jones, Sr., 00
1862 12 Samuel Davison. 88
1863 22 Polly Holdridge, 85
1864 11 Esther Baldwin, 08
1865 8 Consider Stockwell, 74
From 1866, for comparison, the number of births occur-
ring in each year is placed at the left of date.
7 I860 Sally Dyer, 73
11 1867 10 Polly Shaw, 03
62
HISTORY
OF PLAiNFlELD.
14
18G8
8
Levi Cook.
85
12
1809
12
Nancy Pease,
90
13
1870
9
Polly Tirrell,
95
6
1871
10
Samuel White,
94
9
1872
6
Jacob Whitmarsh.
83
8
1873
8
Julia Butler.
85
10
1874
11
Levi Campbell.
88
4
1875
2
Sally Bradley,
72
7
1876
6
James Joy,
S2
IS
t
1877
8
Samuel Thayer. Jr.,
SN
6
1878
5
Abigail Torrey,
82
11
1879
9
John Bisbee,
93
5
1880
9
Hannah Cook,
87
6
1881
12
Stephen Hayward,
94
7
1882
12
Jerusha King,
93
3
1883
13
Samuel Loud,
88
5
1884
12
David Shaw.
90
4
1885
7
Sally Packard,
91
9
1880
4
Ezra W. Haskins,
>>o
6
1887
10
Delia Warner,
S7
6
1888
7
Mary Joy,
91
8
1889
8
Seth S. Williams.
87
3
1890
7
James Warner,
91
Total births in last 25 years, 187. Deaths, 214. The
greatest age attained by any person was 98, Esther
Baldwin in 1864. In 1794 and 1803 the scarlet fever pre-
vailed; in 1806, the typhus fever. In 1798 there were no
deaths. In 1834, 11 of the 15 deaths were children under
5 years of age, and it does not appear that there was any
prevalent disease. In 1850, dysentery prevailed, there
being 15 deaths from that cause. On Aug. 29 of that year,
three children lay dead, and also on Sept. 15. — Oct. 7, 1857,
SUDDEN DEATHS. 63
three adults died, viz. : Phebe Hitchcock, Beza Reed and
Sarah Jones. Their funerals were attended on the same
day, Oct. 9. — May 7, 1855, Daniel Streeter suicided by
hanging himself to a tree in the woods near the southeast
corner of Stephen Parsons' farm. — April 5, 1873, Dr. G. H.
Taylor took his own life by hanging himself in his barn.
The following deaths seem worthy of particular notice:
Jan. 9, 1804, Lucinda Packard was found dead in her bed.
May 19, 180-1, James Thayer was drowned at Cummington,
aged 21. June 22, 1812, Levi Stetson, Jr., aged 35, was
killed almost instantly by the fall of a tree. Aug. 11, 1812,
the wife of Gideon Hammond died in her chair at work, in-
stantly, as is supposed. Her husband awoke from a short
nap after dinner, and found her sitting at her quill-wheel,
dead. Her age was 51. Oct. 22, 1817, a son of Jetson
Stetson died from a bean in the windpipe, aged 5. May
4, 1820, Daniel Brown was killed instantly by a log rolling
over him. May 10, 1828, the wife of Benjamin Towne,
aged 39, was found after a long search by many persons,
dead in the woods in Hawley, having wandered from home
several days before, while insane. Oct. 28, 1831, Clarissa
Stetson, aged 8, died in consequence of burns received
from her clothes taking fire. July 11, 1833, Samuel Swift,
aged about 50, was killed instantly at Cummington by the
fall of a tree. March 8, 1834, Charles Bela Dyer, 2 years
old, died in consequence of a piece of apple in the wind-
pipe. Jan. 30, 1842, Matthias Crittenden, aged GO, fell
dead while returning from attending church. Marcus M.
Lincoln, aged 7, son of Isaac K. Lincoln, was drowned July
15, 1845, while bathing with other boys in a small pond,
west of Joseph Gloyd's. Dec. 19, 1880, Joseph Gloyd, Jr.,
aged 74, died very suddenly. He rose in the morning as
64 HISTORY OF PLAINPIELD.
usual and had partially dressed, when he complained of
feeling ill, and expired in a few moments. Dec. 16, 1886,
Joseph Sears, aged C)6, died suddenly of heart disease. He
had just returned from a neighbors, apparently in his
usual health. He sat down on entering the house, being
somewhat out of breath, and soon after expired. John
Joy fell, or was thrown from his horse, on the hill above
Nelson W. Cook's, breaking his neck, Aug. 21, 1848, while
on his way to church. His age was 69. Jacob Jones, Jr.
died suddenly while at work near his barn, Dec. 15, 1873,
aged 71.
CHAPTER VIII.
Stores and Manufactures.— John Mack.— I. K. Lincoln and Others— Jacob
and Levi Clark.— Leonard Campbell.— Stores at Present Time.— Robinson's
Corn Mill.— Warner, Whiting & Co.— Streeter's Factort— Tannery.— Oth-
er Manufactures.
Tradition says that one Perkins kept the first store in
town, but his given name and place of business are not
known. His business was probably unimportant, else
some account of it would have been handed down. With
the above exception, the first store established was that of
John Mack, some time previous to 1816. The building
used stood a vqd or two south of Clark Smith's house.
About 1820 he erected the brick store on the common, now
occupied by H. S. Packard. This was considered a very
elegant structure at that time, and is really a fine, sub-
stantial building. Here he did business until his death in
1833. He was for some ten years or more the only mer-
chant in town and did a thriving business. The goods
kept 75 years ago were very few in number and variety.
Liquors of various kinds, molasses, salt, codfish, a little
brown and loaf sugar, chintz cloth, and possibly one or
two other kinds, thread, etc. Isaac K. Lincoln built a
store in the southeast part of the town, and carried on the
mercantile business for some 20 years. Much of the trade
was an exchange business. Eggs, cheese, tow and linen
cloth were taken in exchange for goods. These commodi-
ties were taken by teams to Boston, which returned loaded
5 (65)
tt(! HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
•
with goods for the store. It took about eight days to make
the round trip. Irani Packard built the house now occu-
pied by Levi Clark as early as 1825, a portion of which he
used as a store. This was afterwards kept by Aaron Saw-
yer, and about 1839 by Shaw & Stowell; then by Jacob
and Levi Clark. Mr. Clark discontinued the business in
1855. G. G. Keyes afterwards leased the rooms and kept
a store there from about 1859 to 1802 or 3. Lyman Dawes
also had a store there for a short time. Leonard Campbell
opened a store here in 1855 in the building formerly occu-
pied by Ira Hamlen, as a hatter's shop. In a few years he
enlarged the building, and has continued in business until
the present time. For nearly 20 years this was the only
store in town, except while Keyes and Dawes were here,
which was only a short time. For some 25 years up to
about 1875, and even later, the palm-leaf hat industry was
a profitable part of the merchant's business. This was
carried on mostly by the Messrs. Clark and later by Mr.
Campbell. The prepared leaf was furnished by the mer-
chants, and by them given out to the different families.
The hats were braided by the women and girls, and
although the pay was small, it amounted in the aggregate
to quite a large sum. At one time probably three-fourths
of the families in town were engaged in the business. Mr.
Campbell for about 25 years made a specialty of the milli-
nery business, in which he had a heavy trade from this
and adjoining towns. He was in trade here a few years
previous to 1855, but discontinued the business for awhile,
and re-opened that year. Abner Gurney kept a store
for a short time in the L part of the house formerly
occupied by Rev. Mr. Hallock, the post office being kept
there at the same time. The business of John Mack was
STORES AT PRESENT TIME. G7
carried on by John Mack, Jr. for a year or two when it
was bought by Whitney J. Hitchcock. He was not here
long, and was succceeded by Shaw & Stowell. Afterward
W. C. Gilbert bought and carried on the store for some
years, or until about 1H52, when he left it for a farm.
Then Charles Mack, who had been clerk for Gilbert,
bought the stock and carried on the business for two or
three years. Then S. W. Streeter took the business, and
after him E. A. Clark and Eugene Shaw were in it for a
short time; but the business was closed up in 185G. No
store was kept here from this time until about 1873,
when the store was purchased by Chas. R. Burt, who
stocked it with goods and carried on the business for some
four years, when he sold out to Mrs. Eliza A. Packard,
who kept the store with the assistance of her sons for
about seven years, when the business was transferred to
her oldest son. H. S. Packard, by whom it has since been
conducted. He has lately enlarged the main store room
(which had been divided by C. R. Burt) and filled it with
a large and complete stock of goods. C. N. Dyer opened
a small grocery store in his house in 1880. The business
increasing, other lines of goods were added, and interior
changes in the building were made to accommodate it.
When F. W. Gilbert was appointed postmaster in 1880, the
post office was removed to this store and placed in charge
of Mr. Dyer, who was Asst. P. M. In 1887 Mr. Dyer sold
the place, including the farm, and bought of D. H. Gould
the corner lot east of the Town Hall, on which he at once
erected a building to be used for a store and tenement, to
which he removed his business, including the post office,
about Sept. 1, 1S87, and where he still carries it on. There
are several dealers in farmers' produce. L. W. Joy, who
68 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
has been in the business many years, and disposes of his
produce in Northampton; A. N. Gurney, who carries his
produce to Adams, his specialty being pork in the whole
carcass, which he sells to retail dealers; he also sells flour,
meal, etc., and some heavy groceries. J. N. Benjamin
also does a produce business, disposing of his stock at
Adams. His specialties are butter, whole pork, and
apples.
MANUFACTURES.
[The author is largely indebted to an article in the Hampshire Co. Gazetteer,
by F. W. Gilbert, for the substance of this article.]
It is believed that the grist mill, or "corn mill," as it
was called, of Jeremiah Robinson, said to have been estab-
lished in 1780, and the saw mill of Samuel Streeter, both
on Mill brook, were the first mills of any kind established
here, being mentioned in the records as early as 1701. In
1708 the grist mill was purchased by Joseph Beals, " the
Mountain Miller," who managed the business until his
death in 1813. His son, Dea. Robert, then conducted it
for a number of years, and about 1827 or 1828 built the
present mill, which stands several rods further down the
stream than the original structure. Jared Bisbee, Horatio
Lyon, Dexter White and Edwin Torrey succeeded in turn
to the management. In 1861 James A. Nash purchased
the property. He has greatly improved it and still carries
on the business. Samuel Streeter's saw-mill stood just
above the site of Streeter's factory. A saw-mill operated
by his sons and grandson, also his great-grandson, was
continued on the same site until about 1870. On the brook
in the northeast corner of the town is a saw-mill. The
original mill on this site was built by Levi Campbell, and
was for many years operated by his son. Levi N. Campbell.
MANUFACTURES.
«9
V.
70 HISTORY OF I'LAINFIKLI).
About ISS4 or is.s.5 it came into the possession of George
W. Billings. He substituted a circular mill for the old
.style, and carried on the business! until the mill was burn-
ed in April. IN'JO. Mr. Billings has rebuilt it. and pur-
chased new machinery. His specialty is the manufacture
of cloth boards. The stream which runs near Win. H.
Dyer's has been from early times the scene of many at-
tempts at manufacture, most of them being for the time
successful. Probably the first enterprise of this sort was
the grist mill of _ Thomas Shaw, which was situated some
distance north of W. H. Dyers, near the old brickyard.
Evidence exists that places the date of its erection before
lsoo. It was abandoned about ls:>o. and no trace of it
remains. Who first opened the brickyard near it is uncer-
tain, but brick were made there early in the present cen-
tury, probably by Joshua or Thomas Shaw. The Warner
brothers made brick there for several years in the vicinity
of 1S4() and later. About 1871 or LS7-2 ('). S. White and
S. W. Chirk re-fitted the yard and made brick for two or
three seasons: since then none have been made there. ( )n
the stream just below this in the earlier part of the cen-
tury was the cloth dressing shop of Jacob Clark. About
ISoO, on nearly the same site, Randall Whiting. James
and dishing Warner, under the firm name of Warner.
Whiting & Co., built a factory for the manufacture of
satinets, and for general custom work. A boarding-house
was also erected. About a dozen hands were employed in
the factory. After some years the firm failed and the
business was suspended. Subsequently. Win. Gurney
made an attempt to revive the business, but without much
success. The buildings were removed about lNoT. The
site of the factory was about six rods south of the road on
MANUFACTURES. 71
the west side of the stream, near W. H. Dyer's. Rem-
nants of the dam and raceway are still visible. Still lower
on the stream, John White built a mill for the manufac-
ture of broom handles about 1830. This was in operation
for eight or ten years, and the buildings were then re-
moved. A saw-mill on the same site was continued a few
years longer. Further down was the ancient saw-mill of
Ziba White. This mill was probably erected soon after
1800, and was in use about 40 years. A mill privilege
below this was improved by Warner & Gloyd about 1845.
They erected a saw-mill, and afterwards a cider mill. The
saw-mill was nut used after 1850, and both were soon after-
wards torn down. The small stream by the side of the
road just below Campbell's store seems hardly sufficient
to turn a boy's water-wheel, yet on this rivulet, about 65
years ago. a pretentious tannery was erected by Dorn &
Remington. Their water-wheel was an overshot, of unu-
sual size, is feet in diameter, and their buildings were
quite .capacious. The preparations proved unavailable,
and they went down the valley, and settled on Mill Brook.
On this brooklet at about the same time were the potash
works of Irani Packard. At the time Dorn & Remington
removed to the valley, in 1830, they built a large tannery
100x30, covering 80 vats, nearly opposite the present resi-
dence of Lester Streeter. where they did a large business.
Mr. Dorn sold his share to a Mr. Parsons, and later the
new firm disposed of the property to Giddings & Latham.
After a time Giddings disposed of his share to Latham,
who carried on the business until his death in 1851. The
business was not afterward revived. The beam house was
lifted up for the manufacture of broom handles a number
of years later by Nelson C. Clapp. but not much was done
72 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
at the business. On the small brooklet referred to near
the village, before Dorn & Remington began their prep-
arations there, Cyrus Joy had a small tannery for tanning
upper leather. There was also about that time, a small
tannery a few rods east of Homer Cook's. There were but
a few vats, and no water power, the bark being ground at
Samuel Streeter's saw-mill and drawn up the hill to the
tannery. At the upper water privilege on Mill Brook,
Isaiah Stetson, in 1817, built a saw-mill and managed it
for several years. Afterwards David and Wm. Stowell
purchased it, and continued the business until 1854, at
which date it passed into the hands of W. C. Gilbert. In
1855, George W. King bought, and still owns the property.
He manufactures broom and brush handles, besides custom
sawing and planing. — Adjoining Samuel Streeter's saw-
mill, before referred to, in the early part of the century
was a cloth-dressing shop conducted successively by Daniel
Richards, Mr. Gleason and others. On the site of this, in
1820, Arnold and Nahum Streeter built a factory for the
manufacture of satinet, flannel, and other woolen goods.
This was burned in 1825. It was rebuilt and managed by
4
the Streeter family until 187*5, when it was again destroyed
by fire, and has not been rebuilt. — On the other side of the
road from Willcutt's saw-mill, in 1810 was a flax-dressing
mill, owned and run by Noali and Iram Packard. About
1816, Reuben Hamlen and Otis Pratt built on the same site
a factory for the manufacture of satinets and woolen
goods. In 1820 the building which is now the Willcutt
mill was removed across the road where it now stands.
Mr. Pratt sold his share to Erastus Bates, who moving
West in 1834 left Mr. Hamlen to manage the mill alone.
After a few years the business was given up. Later, Jason
MANUFACTURES. 7-'3
Noyes used it for a chair factory. Elbridge King rented
it for awhile. Capt. James Cook finally bought the prop-
erty, and it was used for a saw-rnill. He sold to Daniel
Ingraham, who made baskets there. In 18(57 William
Willcutt bought the plant from Ingraham, repaired it
thoroughly and put in entirely new machinery, including
a circular saw-mill. He now uses annually from 30 to 50
thousand feet of hard wood lumber in the manufacture of
whip butts, which are sold in Westfield, Mass. He also
makes some broom and brush handles, besides doing custom
sawing and planing. Several men are employed. His
son, George L., has an interest in the business. — A few
rods below the present grist-mill of J. A. Nash, was once
a saw-mill, long since abandoned. Portions of the foun-
dation walls are still visible. In 1852 Wm. J. Shattuck
built a saw-mill on the west branch of Mill brook. The
supply of water proving insufficient, the mill was after
several years practically abandoned, and the building was
removed in 1884. — The saw-mill at the outlet of the crooked
pond in the extreme northwest part of the town, now
owned by Onslow Taylor, was built by Lyman Morton,
more than fifty years ago. A circular mill was put in by
the present owner a few years since. Mr. Morton also
built a dam on the " Grant " brook near David Packard's,
and erected a small shop thereabout 1825. The power was
used for operating a trip-hammer for forging heavy iron
work. Isaac Saddler, more than (50 years ago, had a cloth-
dressing shop on Mill Brook, near the residence of the late
Philander Packard. Later Homan Hallock had a shop
near by, where he manufactured Arabic type, using the
same water power. In 1840 there was a tack shop near
where Shepard Dyer lives, conducted by Roland Shaw,
7-4 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
where six or eight men were employed. No power was
used. Tacks were also made in a shop at the upper vil-
lage not far from the same time. Early in the present
century, Ira Hamlen operated a hatter's shop, which to-
gether with his house was burnt in 1S24. It was rebuilt,
and business carried on for some time. The building used
is now the south wing of Campbell's store.
CHAPTER IX.
Physicians.— Dr. Torrey.— Dr. Porter.— Dr. Samuel Shaw.—" Hit Him Anoth-
er.""— Later Practitioners. — Justices of the Peace.
The first physician practising in town was Dr. Solomon
Bond, his name occurring in the town records as early as
1789. He was succeeded by Dr. Barney Torrey and Dr.
Jacob Porter. The latter, although a highly educated
LLUin, gave his attention mostly to literary pursuits, being
well versed in botany and mineralogy. His medical prac-
tice was very inconsiderable. He was the author of a his-
tory of Plain field, published in 1834. He died Nov. 15,
1S4<), aged 03. He was interred near the front of the prin-
cipal cemetery under the shade of six tamerack trees which
he had set out there some years previous. They have
since been removed. All the young trees of that variety
in the cemetery and vicinity sprung from seed from these
six trees, as it was scattered by the winds.
DR. SAMUEL SHAW,
who spent his life here, deserves more than a passing no-
tice. He was a son of Josiah and Anna Shaw, who came
from Abington, Mass., and settled here in 1702, on the
homestead occupied by the late Freeman Shaw. Dr. Shaw
was born in Abington, Mass., May G, 1700, being less than
two years old when his parents settled here. After attend-
ing for some time the school of Rev. Moses Hallock, he
(75)
76 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
studied medicine with Dr. Peter Bryant of Cummiiigton,
father of Wm. Cullen Bryant. In 1810 and 1820 he attend-
ed medical lectures in Boston. He became Dr. Bryant's
partner in practice, the partnership being continued until
the death of the latter. In 1821 he married Dr. Bryant's
daughter, Sarah Suell Bryant. He was licensed as a medi-
cal practitioner the same year. The following is a copy
of his certificate:
] g' j- Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
We the subscribers, Censors of the Massachusetts Med-
ical Society, duly appointed and authorized, have examined
Samuel Shaw of Cummington. in the County of Hamp-
shire, a candidate for the Practice of Physick and Surgery;
and having found him qualified, do appoint and license
him as a Practitioner in Medicine, agreeable to the law in
that case made and provided. Dated at Northampton,
this 3rd day of May, A. D. one thousand eight hundred
and twenty-one.
Elihu Dwight, )
William Hooker. [â–
Jos: H. Flint. )
By virtue of the power in me vested, I have hereunto
affixed the seal of the Massachusetts Medical Society.
Jos. Fisher, M. D., President.
Attest, John Dixwell, M. D., Rec. Secretary.
After Dr. Bryant's death, Dr. Shaw in 1824 removed to
Plainfield and commenced practice. His wife deceased
Dec. 12, 182-4, of consumption. This sad event inspired
the beautiful poem of her distinguished brother, Wm. C.
Bryant, entitled "The Death of the Flowers." In 1830
Dr. Shaw married Elizabeth Owen Clarke of Northamp-
fit^-T^ir*-*^
AT 60.
DR. SAMUEL SHAW. 77
ton, daughter of Joseph Clarke, a lawyer descended from
the Cooks. Lymans, Pomeroys, and other early settlers of
that town, and the adopted son of Major Joseph Hawley.
Elizabeth's beauty, grace and lovely character, were the
theme of many a letter written by old Dr. Flint of North-
ampton to Dr. Shaw, before the engagement. She died
Sept. 27, 1863. Dr. Shaw at first lived in the house lately
re-modeled by Wm. Winslow. In 1833 he built the house
which he occupied during the remainder of his life, and
which is still owned by his daughters, who occupy it dur-
ing the summer and fall months. It was thoroughly built
and is now in an excellent state of preservation. Dr. Shaw
was in active practice until 1854. In the fall of that year
he was called one evening to attend his married daughter
then living in West Cummington. While descending the
hill in the southwest part of the town, some portion of the
carriage suddenly gave way, and he was thrown violently
to the ground. Being a large, heavy man, the shock was
a very severe one, from which he never fully recovered.
He was able however to occasionally visit patients for
some years after, but always with some one to drive his
horse. The writer remembers him as one who always had
a good story to tell and liked a joke. His jolly " Haw,
haw, haw," rings in my ears yet. One little episode I will
relate. A near neighbor had several large boys who were
inclined to be unruly. The neighbor was a rather quick
tempered man, and one morning, one of his boys having
provoked him in some way, he gave him a sounding box
on the ear. the doctor being an unseen witness. The boy
moaned greatly, and carried his head to one side, pretend-
ing that he could not lift it to its normal position. The
doctor watching the boy occasionally through the day
78 HISTORY OP PLAINFIELD.
from his office window, noticed that when his father was
out of sight, his head resumed its natural position. If his
father appeared, his neck was at once bent as before.
Toward evening, the father becoming somewhat alarmed,
visited the doctor in company with his son, whose head still
hung on one side. " Doctor," said he, " I am a little hasty,
and when I gave the boy a cuff this morning, I suppose I
gave him a harder blow than I intended, and he don't seem
to be able to straighten his neck since. Now what treat-
ment would you advise?" ''Well." said the doctor, de-
liberately, drawing down the corners of his eyebrows, "In
my opinion, the best thing you can do, would be to hit
him a thundering crack on the other ear." The boy did
not wait to have his father follow this advice, but at once
made off with head erect. — The doctor was tenderly cared
for in his declining years by his daughters. He deceased
Sept. 24, 1870, aged 80. He was for many years prominent
in town affairs, being for eight years one of the selectmen.
His office has been preserved in very much the same con-
dition in which he left it. The case of books and the iron
mortar and pestle used in compounding medicines, once
belonged to Dr. Peter Bryant, and were used by him, pre-
vious to their coming into Dr. Shaw's possession. He was
for forty years a member of the Mass. Medical Society.
His quick intuitions and great skill, combined with a keen
knowledge of human nature and a cheerful disposition,
made him a successful and popular physician.
LATER PRACTITIONERS.
Dr. Chas. Bowker came here about 1S55, but remained
only a year or two. Dr. J. M. Eaton settled .here about
1858, and remained two or three years. Dr! G. H. Taylor
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 79
came here about 18*53, and practiced until his death in
1ST:}, except one year, when he was absent in the army.
Dr. O. H. Lamb practiced here a few months about 1874.
Dr. Daniel E. Thayer commenced practice here in 1875,
and remained here two or three years. Dr. G. R. Fessen-
den came here in 1879, and remained about a year, when
he removed to Ashfield. He is now often called to visit
patients here. Since his removal we have had ho resident
physician.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
So far as known, the first Justice in town was James
Richards, who was commissioned June 8, 1802. Others
were com missioned in the order named. Ebenezer Colson,
Cyrus Joy, Iram Packard, Elijah Warner, Sr., John
Mack. Sr., Erastus Bates, Leavitt Hallock. Jason Rich-
ards, Elijah Clark, Isaac K. Lincoln, George Vining,
David Shaw, Wm. Gurney, Albert Dyer, Fred E. Camp-
bell. James A. Winslow, Charles N. Dyer. L. Campbell
was appointed a Notary Public in 1887.
CHAPTER X.
100
9(5
80
; 5 5
'Too
REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS. — SOLDIERS OP 1812.— ARTILLERY COMPANY. — LIST OF
Soldiers in War op the Rebellion.— Deaths Among.— G. A. R. Post.
The following list of Revolutionary Pensioners, we copy
from Dr. Porter's history of Plainfield. It contains the
names of those still living in 1833, with the amount drawn
annually by each. The amount is believed to have been
based on their length of service.
Rev. Moses Hallock. S 23 T 3 „ 3 o
Jacob Nash,
Phillip Packard,
Whitcomb Pratt,
James Richards,
Josiah Shaw. 80
Samuel Streeter, 96
Josiah Torrey. 106 T W
Caleb White. 32 WV
At least two of our citizens served in the war of 1812.
These were Orrin Tirrell and Samuel Thayer, Jr. It is
believed that they were not called out of the state, but did
military duty in the vicinity of Boston for a few weeks.
There was another who though not a citizen of the town
at the time of the war, settled here immediately after-
wards — Lieut. Brackley Shaw, who lived on the farm after-
wards occupied by the late Jared Dyer. During the war
of 1812 Lieut. Shaw had command of a battery on an
(80)
Lemuel Allis,
$96
Joseph Barnard,
96
Ebenezer Bisbee,
20
John Campbell,
OQ 3 3
4t) Tol
Vinson Curtis,
80
Ebenezer Dickinson
, 30
James Dyer,
100
Joseph Gloyd,
20
ARTILLERY COMPANY. SI
island in Boston harbor. In 1825 he removed to Ira, N. Y.,
and ten years later to Michigan, being one of the pioneer
settlers of that state. His son. Brackley Shaw. Jr., had
in 1887 been for 1-t years a member of the Michigan legis-
lature, serving six years as senator. Another son. Rev.
Horatio Watson Shaw, went to India in 1850. to take
charge of the Mission College at Allahabad, returning after
six years service.
THE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
This company was first organized in Williamsburg, and
from thence, as it drew many of its recruits from the hill
towns, the company armory and guns were successively
removed to Goshen, and in the early part of the present
century to Plainfield. One of the early Captains of the
Company after its headquarters were established here, was
Noah Joy of Hawiey, who was afterward Colonel of the
3rd Artillery Regiment, of which perhaps this company
may have been the nucleus. About 1820 the musicians of
the company were Levi Campbell and Wm. Wilcutt, Sr.,
fifers. and Oliver Pool, drummer. In those days the State
Militia was not fostered and petted by Government as at
present, but each soldier must arm, equip and uniform
himself, lose his time while on duty and pay his own ex-
penses. So few there were who felt equal to the sacrifice
that recruits were drawn from eight different towns, viz. :
Plainfield, Goshen, Chesterfield, Savoy, Windsor, Cum-
mington, Hawiey and Ashfield. Among the first captains
of the company were Capt. Eldridge, Levi Cook, Wm.
Joy. Harry Torrey.* David R. Whiting,* Randall Dyer,
John Mack,* Charles W. Parker and James Cook; later,
Leonard Campbell * and Levi N. Campbell, all citizens of
«J
82 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
Plainfield. Those of the above marked with a star after
name, were honored later by being elected field officers
in the 3rd Artillery Regiment. Levi N. Campbell was by
the unanimous vote of the Regiment elected Major, but
declined. While he was captain, in 1847. the state author-
ities, at his request, granted an order for building a new
armory, the old one which stood near the present site of J.
N. Benjamin's house, having become unfit for use. The
contract was given to the late David Shaw, who erected the
building a few rods east of where Jeremiah Tyrrell lives,
and finished it to the acceptance of the Adjutant General.
It was used as an armory until the company and regiment
disbanded. As late as 1 860 it was sold, removed to the upper
village, re-modeled into a dwelling, and is now owned and
occupied by Mrs. Frances P. Clark (since deceased).
About the time the new armory was built, the state sup-
plied the regiment with the old Springfield musket and
required the rank and file to drill with them, and to prac-
tice the manual of arms; but the project was only a par-
tial success, the soldiers not taking kindly to the clumsy
arm, and they were soon called in. About this time the
old four pounder brass cannon were exchanged for new
six pounders. L. N. Campbell having resigned, he was
succeeded as captain by Edward Bridgman of Goshen,
and he by Levi Gardner of Ashfield. Among the Lieu-
tenants of the company were Madison Knowlton of Ash-
field, Henry Joy of Hawley, Abishur Nash, Daniel Stock-
well, Philander Packard, Thomas Packard and Ansel K.
Bradford of Plainfield. Bradford was afterwards chosen
captain, and held that office when the company disbanded.
Among those who served as musicians, were L. N. Camp-
bell, William and Abner Gurney, Orson S. White. Lyman
SOLDIERS IN WAR OF THE REBELLION. 83
K. Thayer, Leonard and J. Lyman Campbell, Milleon S.
Colburn, Sylvanus Rice, Isaiah Stetson, Orrin Stetson,
Isaac S. Nash, Calvin Shaw and Horace Hamlen. The
late Apollos Gardner belonged to this company, and will
be well remembered by those members still living. He
used to "thumb the piece." The cannon by continuous
firing soon became heated and I suppose the merest spark
sometimes remained in the breech. It was his duty to hold
his thumb over the touch-hole while the gun was - being
re-loaded. As soon as he removed it, the draft of air thus
admitted fanned the latent spark within, and a discharge
immediately followed. A cot of deerskin was usually
worn on the thumb for protection, but he was sometimes
without this. He never flinched, though his thumb was
sometimes badly burned, and never permitted a premature
discharge. Among the members of the company Capt.
Ansel K. Bradford, Isaac S. Nash and Chas. S. Stetson
served in the civil war, and probably a number of others.
SOLDIERS IN WAR OF THE REBELLION.
Plainfield furnished during this war sixty-one men.
an excess of seven over all calls. The following is a list,
the names occurring in the order of their enlistment, to-
gether with the regiment and company in which they
served, also date of mustering in and of discharge or
death. Mass. Infantry is understood, and their rank as
private, unless otherwise stated.
Co. and Reg't. Mustered In. Discharged.
Chauncey C. Shaw, H 27 Sept. 20, '61. Mar. 31, '03.
Wesley Woodard, Corp. C " Oct. 1, " Oct. — "02.
Newell Dyer, 2d., C 31 "12, " Apr. 11. "
do. 2d enlistment, C 12 Sept. 12. '03. Dec. 12. '03.
84 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
Co. and Reg't. Mustered In. Discharged.
Henry Y. Town. C 4 N.Y.Ind.Bat. Oct. 18, 'til. Oct. 17. '64.
Sherlock H. Lincoln, E 1 Cav. Dec. 9. " Nov. 14. '62.
Hosea L. Thayer, E " " 16, '' July 21. "65.
H. Dwight Gloyd. C 31 Feb. 1, '62, Jan. 31, ''
Wm. A. Hallock. K 23 Aug. 4, "
do. 2d enlistment, " " Dec. 1, '63. July 20, '65.
Lorenzo Streeter. Corp. H 37 Aug. 15. '62. Nov. 21. '63.
Nelson W. Cook, Aug. 14, '•
Almon M. Warner, Lt., ' '" " Aug. 28, '65.
Fordyce A. Dyer, 2d Lt. F 46 Sept. 26, "
do. 2denlist'nt. 1st " F2H.Art. 'ti3. d. Oct.26,'64.
Franklin Cook, F 46 Sept. 26,62. d. June 20, 'H3.
Newcomb Dyer, '• " July 29, "'
Chas. C. Gloyd, " ' ; " " "
do. 2d enlistment, A 2 H. Art. May 27, '63. Sept, 3, '65.
J. Wesley Gurney, F 46 Sept. 26, 'H2.
do. 2d enlistment, — 2H.Art. June 5, '63. Dec. 30, '63.
Stephen Hay ward. Jr. Corp. F 46 Sept. 26, '62. July 29. ''
Samuel W. Jones, F 46 " " " " '• "
Robert P. Loud, " "
do. 2d enlistment, A 2 H.Art. May 28, '63. Sept. 3. '65.
Chas. S. Stetson. F 46 Sept,26,'62. July 29, '63.
Geo. W. King, " " " " il
Clifford Packard. Corp.. " " " " " " " "
Josiah Rood, " " " " " d. " 10, "
Theodore W. Shaw, •• •• " •• " " 29, "
Allen Smith, " " " " "
do. 2d enlistment, — 2 H.Art. June 5, '63. Sept. 3. '65.
Wm. Edwards Warner. F 46 Sept.26, 62. d. June 28,63.
Alden H.Dyer. " " â– ' " " d. Jan. 19, "
Ira W. Hamlen, Corp., " " July 29. "
SOLDIERS IN WAR OF THE REBELLION. 85
Co. and Reg't. Mustered in. Discharged.
Justus W. Gurney, F 4-6 Sept. 26/62.
do. 2d enlistment, — 2 H. Art. June 5. '63. Deserted.
Oliver C. Burr. E 46 Oct. 15/62. July 29/63.
Wm. W. Vanalstine. — 2 H. Art. Dec. 7, '63. Died
Wm. J. Nash, D 34 Mch. 1, '64. June 19/05.
John C. Dean. F 2H.Art. Aug. 25, "' '* 26. "''
Arthur W. Robinson, • " " '* " " "
Winthrop B. Robinson. " " ' " •• " "
Wm. L. Lucas. v "
John Stewart. " " *' '* 'â– " " " "
G. H. Taylor. Hos. Stew. " '" " Sept. 1. " May 23. ••
The following persons were drafted and obtained sub-
stitutes. 1863, Nathan Barton, Joseph O. Gloyd. Nahum
S. Packard, Horatio A. Shaw, James A. Winslow. 1804,
Stillman F. Dyer, Levi W. Gloyd.
The following persons were drafted in I8f>3. and rejected.
Henry W. Beals, Chas. C. Clark, Ansel B. Cole, Newell
Dyer. 2d. Jeremiah T. Gardner, Geo. Richards. Thaddeus
Rood, Sylvester Stetson.
The following are the names of substitutes furnished :
Alfred Videtto. Thaddeus Connors. Springfield.
Morris Bishop. Thos. Figges, Boston.
Danford Glazier. Arthur Hitchcock, Charlemont.
Milo Lucas. James Stanard, Guilford. Vt.
Peter Taylor.
The following Plainfield men were in the service but
were credited to some other town:
Co. and Reg't. Mustered In. Discharged.
Isaac S. Nash. D 34 July 31/62. June 16. "05.
Charles Gurney, E 37 Sept, 2, " k'd.July 2/63.
Edw. F. Hamlen,Sergt. I 52 Oct. 11. " Aug. 14. "
86 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
Co. and Reg't. Mustered In. Discharged.
Almorin S. Latham. D 4l> Sept. if), " Sept. 1, 63.
Sidney H. Latham, " " " •' "
James Wetherbee, C 10 June 31/61, Dec. 21,
Harrison Loud, I 57 Mich. 10/64, d. Aug. 1/64.
The following now residing here, served to credit of
other towns, as given below :
Geo. W. Billings, Monson, E 10: June 21, '61; July 1, '64.
Edwin A. Atkins, Sergt. 1 Conn. Cav. ; Dec. 9/61; Dec— '64.
Wm. H. Packard, Windsor. I 4!); Nov. 19, '62: Sept. 1/63.
Shepard R. Dyer, Corp.. Conway. C 31; Nov. 20, '61:
Sept. 9, '65.
Onslow Taylor. Corp., Hawley, I 52; Oct. 11, '62: Aug.
14, '63.
Melvin Packard, Northampton, D 34; Jan. 4/64; Jan. 20/66.
Leander J. Beals. Huntington, H. 37: Aug. 30, '<>2; April
27, '63.
Melville C. Butler, Buckland, K 60; July 22, '64; Dec. 3, '64.
James W. Loud, F 22 Iowa; Aug. 14, '62; June 14, '65.
Norman W. Stetson, Cheshire, I 49: Sept. 19, 62; Sept. 1/63.
Sept. 26, 1802, 18 men from Plainheld were mustered in.
it being by far, the largest number who enlisted at any
one time. These were all members of Co. F 46 Mass.
Only one man was killed while in service, Charles Gurney,
son of Wm. Gurney, at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. Six died
from disease, viz. : Alden H. Dyer, son of Samuel Dyer, at
Newbern, N. C, of typhoid fever, Jan. 19, 1863. His re-
mains were brought to Plainfield for interment. — Frank-
lin Cook, son of James Cook, died at Beaufort, N. C,
June 20, 1863.— Wm. Edwards Warner, son of Wm.
Warner, died at Newbern, N. C, June 28, 1863, of typhoid
fever.— Josiah Rood died on shipboard, 24 hours out of
PENSIONERS. 87
Boston harbor. July 10, 1803, of consumption, and exhaus-
tion caused by sea-sickness. He was in poor health most
of the time while in the army and was unable to do regular
duty. His courage was good, however, and he embark-
ed at Newbern, feeling that when he reached home his
health would improve, but his strength gave out and he
died as above stated. His body was brought home for in-
terment. — Lieut. Fordyce A. Dyer, son of Albert Dyer,
died at Newbern. N. C. of yellow fever. Oct. 20, 1864.
He was detailed as City Inspector during the prevalence
of the yellow fever and fell a victim of this terrible disease.
His remains were subsequently brought home for inter-
ment. — H. Harrison Loud, son of James Loud, died
Aug. 1. IS04, of typhoid dysentery, at Chestnut Hill hos-
pital. Philadelphia, and was brought home for burial. —
Wm. W. Vanalstine (colored) is reported as dying in the
service, but the Adjutant General's rolls give no particu-
lars.
PENSIONERS.
The following named veterans, now residing here, are
in receipt of pensions:
Edwin A. Atkins, S-t per mo. Wm. H. Packard, SO per mo.
Leander J. Beals. $8 ,; '" Melvin Packard, 810 â– '* "
Nelson W. Cook. 88 " " Onslow Taylor, $12 '" "
Norman W. Stetson, 88 per mo.
Mrs. Mary A. Dunning, widowed mother of Samuel J.
Dunning, draws a pension of 812 per month, and Mrs.
Susan E. Taylor, widow of Dr. G. H. Taylor. 88 per
month.
88 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
G. A. R. POST.
Mountain Miller Post No. 198, G. A. R., was organized
here in 1889. It consists of 22 members. The officers for
1891 are as follows :
Commander. E. A. Atkins.
Senior Vice Com.. Onslow Taylor.
Junior " *' Geo. W. King.
Adjutant, Nelson W. Cook.
Quartermaster. J. W. Loud.
Chaplain, A. N. Hubbard, Windsor.
Officer of the Day, Shepard R. Dyer.
"' Guard, L. J. Beals.
Sergeant Major, Geo. W. Billings.
Q. M. Sergeant, Wells P. Taylor. Ashfield.
Surgeon, M. C. Butler.
Color Bearers. \ J° hn Campbell Savoy.
\ Norman W. Stetson.
It is believed that this post covers the largest area of
any in the state, it having members from seven different
towns and three counties. Capt. Edward F. Hamlen. chief
clerk of the Executive Department of the State, who re-
sides here a portion of the summer, is a member of this
Post.
CHAPTER XL
College Ghadcates and Professional Men.
[The writer is indebted to an article in the Hampshire County Gazetteer
from the pen of the Rev. Solomon Clark, for much of the material for this
chapter.]
LAWYERS.
Cyrus Joy. son of Jacob, graduated at Williams College
in 18 LI. Studied law and practiced in Northampton, af-
terwards in this town. Removed to Philadelphia, where
he deceased a few years since.
Hosea F. Stockwell, lived forty years at the West, hav-
ing an extensive practice in New Philadelphia, 0.
Elisha Bassett, son of Thomas, for half a century con-
nected with the U. S. District Court at Boston.
Alden B. Vining graduated at Williams College in 184:5.
Located in Bridgeport, Conn. Died in New Haven.
Erastus N. Bates graduated at Williams College in 1853,
tudied law, but his health did not allow him to pursue its
practice. Has been twice, at least, State Treasurer of
Illinois.
E. Livingstone Lincoln, son of Isaac K., graduated at
Willams College in 1853. Admitted to the bar in 1858.
Died in Westneld. Mass.. in 1859.
Almon M. Warner, son of James, is now in practice at
Cincinnati, O.
(89)
s
'.Ml
HISToKV OF 1'LAINFIKLD.
CHAS. Ul'DLEY WARNER.
HIS BIRTHPLACE.
EDITORS. PROFESSORS AND TEACHERS. 01
EDITORS AND LITERARY PERSONS.
Gerard Hallock (see genealogical history of Hallock
family. )
diaries Dudley Warner, son of Justus Warner, was
born Sept. 12, 1821), on the homestead where the late
Francis W. Joy lived, a mile north of the village. He
graduated at Hamilton College in 1851. Is well known as
an author and is one of the editors of the Hartford Cour-
ant. The engraving of his birthplace is from a photo-
graph, and shows it as it now appears.
Mrs. Fidelia Cook, daughter of Stephen Hayward. for
some time superintended the literary department of the
Springfield Republican.
Mrs. Martha J. Lamb (see genealogical history of Jacob
Nash family.)
PROFESSORS AND TEACHERS.
James Hayward. Jr.. graduated at Harvard in 1S19.
Was tutor there. Afterwards professor of mathematics
and natural philosophy. Published "' Elements of Ge-
ometry."
Isaac Newton Lincoln graduated at Williams in 1847.
Was professor of Latin and French at that college for nine
years. Died in 1802.
Tilly Brown Hayward. son of Capt. James, born April
2.- 1797. Graduated at Harvard in 1820. Was for many
years a teacher. Later a preacher in the Swedenborgian
denomination.
Alden Porter Beals, son of Dea. Robert, graduated at
Williams in 184!). High school teacher for more than 30
years, much of the time at Stamford. Conn., where he
deceased a few years since.
02 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
Frauds Torrey. superintendent of schools in Newark.
N. J., (see genealogical history of Josiah Torrey family.)
Charles Lyman Shaw, son of Dr. Samuel, graduated at
Williams in 1864. Has for many years taught a classical
school at Astoria. N. Y.
PHYSICIANS.
Dr. Samuel Shaw. (See Chap. IX.)
Dana Shaw. (See genealogical history of Josiah Shaw
family.)
Washington Shaw, nephew of above. Settled in Wil-
liamsburg, Mass.
Joseph Richards, a brother of the missionaries, long a
physician in Hillsdale. N. Y.
Chilion Packard, in early life went South.
Seth H. Pratt, went West many years ago.
Newell White, still living in Pennsylvania.
Royal Joy, studied with Dr. Samuel Shaw and settled in
Cummingtou.
Francis Pratt, a practicing physician in Ohio.
Newton Robinson, also a physician in the same state.
James F. Richards, son of Jason, a physician in Ando-
ver. Mass.
Lewis Whiting, deceased a few years since in Saratoga.
N. Y.
J. Emerson Warner, son of James, now practicing in
Sterling, Va.
Daniel E. Thayer, a physician at Adams, Mass.
Dr. Shepard L. Hamlen was a dentist in Cincinnati, O.
Dr. Joseph Beals. a long time dentist in Greenfield, Mass.
Geo. Burt, a dentist in Springfield, Mass.
Samuel Francis Shaw, son of Dr. Samuel, was born at
PHYSICIANS. 93
Plainfield, Sept. 7, 1833. He was fitted for college at the
Northampton Collegiate Institute. Entered Williams Col-
lege in 1852, and was graduated in 1855. After graduation
he remained at home four years, studying medicine with
his father and making collections of native plants and
birds. He studied medicine at the College of Physicians
and Surgeons in New York, graduating in 18G2. A few
months later he entered the navy as assistant surgeon.
During his service of nineteen years he made many long
voyages, visiting the West Indies, the Azores, Peru, Sitka,
China, Japan and Siberia. He married Oct. 27, 1877, Ade-
laide Roberts, daughter of Edward Roberts, Esq., of Phila-
delphia, and sister of the well-known artist, Howard Rob-
erts, whose statue of Fulton is in the Capitol at Washing-
ton. After spending a year with his wife in traveling
through Europe, he resigned his surgeon's commission and
settled in Philadelphia. He died at his home 1909 Walnut
St., Dec. 7, 1884. Dr. Shaw was a man of commanding
presence. His tall and well proportioned figure, over six
feet in height, together with a handsome face which was
lighted up by a pair of blue eyes of unusual softness and
beauty, attracted universal attention. While his great
dignity of character inspired respect, his unselfishness won
the affection of all who knew him.
Dr. Marcus Whitman, noted as a missionary, physician
and surgeon for more than ten years in Oregon, also for
the long, tedious journey which he made across the Rocky
Mountains in mid- winter to Washington, D. C, when
Daniel Webster was Secretary of State, spent many of his
boyhood days in Plainfield, living until early manhood
with Col. John Packard, whose home was the same now
occupied by Albert N. Gurney. He attended the school
04 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELi).
of Rev. Moses Hallock, which perhaps had much to do
with shaping his subsequent career. Having graduated
at the Pittsfield medical school, he became in 1835 a mis-
sionary of the American Board. The next year in compa-
ny with Rev. H. H. Spaulding, they with their wives cross-
ed the Rocky Mountains and located in Oregon. Visiting
as surgeon the various forts of the Hudson Bay Co., Dr.
Whitman became convinced that the plan of that company
was to secure that vast territory with all its wealth and
resources for Great Britain. To make the story brief, he
started to cross the continent in mid-winter, reaching Mis-
souri in February, 1843, frost bitten and exhausted. Here
he engaged to pilot a colony in the spring to the Columbia
River, contradicting the reports that wagons could not
cross the mountains. Hurrying on to Washington he
called on Daniel Webster, then Secretary of State, and
also on President Tyler, affirming that wagons and emi-
grants could cross the mountains, which they were loth to
believe. Webster said, " I am about trading that worth-
less territory for some valuable concessions in relation to
the Newfoundland cod-fisheries." Dr. Whitman replied
with earnestness, " I hope you will not do it, sir. We want
that valuable territory ourselves." The president finally
said : " Dr. Whitman, since you are a missionary. I will
believe you, and if you take your emigrants over there on
your return, as you propose, the treaty will not be ratified"
In March he was back in Missouri and led a thousand emi-
grants to Fort Hall. Here the commander of the fort, in
the service of the Hudson Bay Co., offered to give them
pack horses in exchange for their wagons, declaring that
they could not cross the mountains with them. This offer
was refused, and after a long but successful journey, he
MINISTERS. !>5
and his 800 emigrants, witli their wagons, emerged on the
plains of the Columbia River Sept. 4, 1843. The treaty
was not signed. Oregon and the Northern Pacific coast
were saved to the United States by the heroism, energy
and zeal of this noble man.
MINISTERS.
Jephthah Pool, many years ago a pastor in Windsor.
Mass.
James and William Richards, foreign missionaries. (See
genealogical history of James Richards family.)
Wm. A. Hallock. (See Hallock family.)
Erastns Dickinson, son of Ebenezer, born April 1, 1807.
Graduated at Amherst, 1832.
Austin Richards, D. D., brother of the missionaries.
David Rood, born in Buckland, Mass., April 25, 1818.
Removed with his parents to Plainfield in 1824. Gradu-
ated at Williams College in 1844, and at what is now Hart-
ford theological seminary in 1847. Married Miss A. V.
Pixley. sister of Stephen Pixley, Oct. 3, 1847, was ordained,
and they sailed for Natal, So. Africa, the same month, as
missionaries of the American Board to the Zulus. In 1860
they visited the old home, and in 1888, after 40 years of
faithful service, they returned to the United States and
settled at Covert, Mich., near Mr. Rood's brothers. He
deceased from a paralytic shock, April 8, 1891. His name
will stand and endure with the names of Moffat and Liv-
ingstone. " Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord,
from henceforth. Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may
rest from their labors: and their works do follow them."
Stephen C. Pixley, born June 23, 1829. Educated for
the ministry. Graduated at Williams in 1852, and at East
96 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
Windsor Hill (Conn.) Theological Seminary in 1855. Mar-
ried Louisa Healy of Chesterfield in 1855. Was ordained
at Plainfield the same year, and entered the service of the
American Board as a missionary. His field of labor was
among the Zulus with David Rood, with which mission he
is still connected. He visited the United States and his old
home a few years since.
Isaac Newton Lincoln, before mentioned, professor in
Williams College.
Spencer O. Dyer, minister in the Methodist denomina-
tion.
James Clark and Thomas Thayer, both ministers in the
Baptist denomination.
William A. Hallock. 2d, and Leavitt H. Hallock. (See
Hallock family.)
Rev. Solomon Clark, a native of Northampton, born
March 2, 1811. Pastor of the Plainfield church and closely
identified with the interests of the people for over 28 years.
He came here from Canton, Mass., in Jan. 1858'. Married
for his second wife, Mrs. Lucy E. Gilbert, widow of W. C.
Gilbert, Oct. 5, 1858. They have one daughter, Elizabeth
Richards, born Oct. 5, 1859. Married Wm. H. Gardiner,
July 26, 1880. Now reside in Chicago. Mr. Clark in ad-
dition to his pastoral duties, has written and published a
history of Northampton and its old families, in which line
he particularly excels. It is considered a valuable work.
He is now engaged in preparing a history of the First
Church in Northampton, and its members.
DAVID SHAW.
Although he was not a professional man, the author
feels that this work would be incomplete without at least
a brief mention. He was the son of Nehemiah Shaw,
DAVID SHAW. 97
Was born June 15, 1704, being the oldest of a family of six-
teen children. His parents lived in a house which stood
opposite the north cemetery on lot now owned by J. N.
Benjamin. His opportunities for obtaining an education
were exceedingly limited. He attended school very little,
if any, but nevertheless managed to obtain a much better
than ordinary education. Was well versed in the higher
brandies of arithmetic and in his calculations used no
rules laid down in the text books, but worked after rules
of his own devising. Was an excellent and accurate sur-
veyor. He was in the strictest sense a self-educated man.
Possessed of great mechanical skill, he invented several
useful instruments, which displayed great nicety of work-
manship, among them a seed-sower and an odometer, an
instrument to be attatched to a wheel for measuring dis-
tances. He married Elizabeth Randall, and lived for a
time in Cummington, but returned to Plainfield, and in
1X42 built the house just west of the meeting-house, since
occupied by himself and his son Horatio. His principal
business for many years, particularly toward the latter
part of his life, was repairing watches and clocks, in which
business he had a great local reputation. Until a few
months before his death, his form was as erect, his eye as
bright, his step as nimble, and his hand as steady as a man
of forty. He deceased Oct. 0, 1884, in his 91st year.
J. T. KIRKLAND HAYWARD.
Son of Stephen Hayward. Left town when a young
man. Became interested in railroads. At the time of the
late civil war was president of the Hannibal & St. Joseph
Mo. railroad. The people of Missouri were quite evenly
divided in sentiment between the Union and rebel cause.
7
!*8 HISTORY OF PLAtNFlELD.
Mr. Hay ward was a strong Union man, and rendered sub-
stantial aid to the cause. On this account, as well as a
preparatory step toward gaining possession of the H. &
St. Jo. R. R., several prominent rebels made an attempt to
kidnap him. They took him into custody one night, and
all entered an empty box-car. Mr. Hay ward, who had not
been bound, managed in some way to slip out of the door,
which he slammed together and locked, thus completely
turning the tables on his would-be captors. They were of
course unable to escape. Mr. Hay ward at once ordered an
engine to be attached to the car, and it was with its in-
mates taken to the eastern part of the state, where they
were delivered up to the Federal authorities.
CHAPTER XII.
Censds.— Valuation.— List of Voters.— Political Parties.— Campaign of \M0.
Bits from the Old Records.— Incidents and Reminiscences. — Fires.
The following figures show the population of the town
for the last hundred years:
1790—458. 1840— 910. 1870—521.
1S00— 797. 1850—814. 1875—481.
1810—977. 1855—652. 1880 — 157.
1820—936. 1860—639. 1885—453.
1830—984. 1865—579. 1890 — 436.
The deaths in the last decade outnumber the births by
37. This shows that 16 more have moved into town than
have removed from town in that time. The writer is of
the opinion that the population has reached its lowest
figures and that the next census will show an increase from
the last.
The following is from the Assessors' books for 1890:
No. of residents assessed on property. ]06
" " non-residents " " " 51
" " Polls " 147
Assessed value of personal estate, § 37,880
" land, 76,000
" " " buildings. 38,525
Total assessed valuation, $152,405
Tax rate per §1.000, $16
(99)
100
HISTORY OF PLA1NFIELD.
Acres of land assessed. '/ 12,705
No. of dwelling-houses, 110
No. of horses, 148— Cows, 440— Sheep, 30<;— Neat cattle
other than cows, .302 — Swine, 123.
LIST OF VOTERS. MARCH 2. 1801.
Atkins. Edwin A.
Benjamin, James N.
Barton, Henry S.
Barton, Nathan
Barton, Geo. N.
Burt, Sumner
Burt, Edmund
Burt, Chas. R.
Burt, Orsamus C.
Barker, Isaac T.
Beals, H. Harrison
Beals, Henry W.
Beals, Fred W.
Beals, Leander J.
Blanchard, Oliver
Blanchard, Geo. A.
Bogart. Mandeville
Bogart, John
Billings, Geo. W.
Butler, Melville C.
Campbell, Leonard
Cole, Ansel B.
Cole, Arthur T.
Cole, Fred S.
Cook, John F.
58
Cook, Nelson W.
51
Cook, Homer
06
Clark. Levi
55
Clark, Chas. C.
27
Clark. Seth W.
75
Clark, Fred D.
35
Clark, Henry D.
45
Colburn, Millson S.
21
Cleveland. Wm. M.
82
Cudworth, Paul H.
50
Cudworth, Frank B.
Dunham, Warren I.
28
Dunham, Chas. F.
57.
Dyer, Wm. H.
50
Dyer, Chas. N.
Dyer, Shepard R.
50
Dyer, Elwin F.
20
Gardner, Apollos H.
48
Gardner, Jason W.
54
Gardner, Jeremiah T
70
Gardner, Ira J.
57
Gardner, Nelson W.
30
Gardner, Eugene H.
21
Gloyd, Bethuel
55
Gloyd, Levi W.
Ace.
50
50
88
54
57
31
25
83
70
08
34
40
32
04
41
50
38
01
00
58
27
25
30
81
57
LIST OF VOTERS. MARCH 2. 1 81H
101
Age.
A;r<\
Gloyd, Joseph 0.
40
Packard, H. Clark
50
Gloyd, Edwin S.
21
Packard, Harold S.
30
Griggs, Amos K.
73
Packard, Henry C.
24
Gurney, James F.
45
Packard, Cyrus W.
38
Gurney, Albert N.
43
Packard, B. Franklin
32
Gould, Daniel H.
51
Parker, Eugene L.
45
Gould, Clark F.
25
Parsons, Stephen
50
Harris, Geo. E.
50
Richmond, Austin L.
01
Harris, Daniel
52
Richmond, Albert F.
22
Harris, James P.
28
Rice, Frederic M.
20
Holden, Chas. N.
43
Sears, Joseph W.
3!)
Holden, Frank A.
34
Sears, Samuel H.
30
Howes, Mark E.
40
Shaw, Horatio A.
09
In graham, Frank C.
28
Shaw. Willie E.
34
Jones, William
58
Streeter, Lester E.
39
Joy, Lorenzo W.
58
Streeter. Alden E.
29
King, Geo. W.
58
Starks, Wilbur J.
27
Kinney, Edwin R.
07
Stetson, Marshall
47
Kinney, Theron E.
38
Stetson, Nelson B.
25
Loud, James W.
50
Stetson, Orren M.
23
Mason, Ira
70
Stetson, Sylvester R.
59
Mason, Thos. G.
Smith, Clark
06
Mason, Lemuel
51
Taylor, Onslow
52
Mason, Ezra H.
45
Taylor, Henry E.
26
Mason, Edward W.
33
Taylor, Frank G.
31
McCloud, Edward I.
29
Thatcher, Eugene
33
Nash, James A.
53
Thayer, Fred T.
32
Packard, David
71
Thayer, Lester D.
28
Packard, Sylvester
05
Thayer, Lyman K.
79
Packard, Wm. H.
08
Thayer, Frank L.
40
Packard, Luther W.
35
Thayer, Amasa W.
102 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
Thayer, Samuel B. 74 White, Lueian A. 39
Tirrell, Almon B. 31 Whiting, Win. C. 77
Tirrell, Russell 76 Wheeler, Thos. K. 78
Tirrell, Arthur R. 37 Wheeler, Norman 32
Tirrell, Orren 68 Willcutt, William 55
Tyrrell, Jeremiah J. 82 Willcutt, Geo. L, 33
Torrey, Merritt 65 Willcutt, Horace 63
Torrey, Alden L. 30 Winslow, William 78
Torrey, E Iwin T. 69 Winslow, James A. 51
Torrey, Geo. A. 30
Whole number, 131.
The following persons are eligible, or soon will be, to
register as voters, but have not done so : Chas. L. Alex-
ander, Henri H. Fenton, Wm. H. Leete, Newton K. Lin-
coln, Eugene F. Parker, Clark W. Streeter, Lyndon
Wheeler, Rev. John A. Woodhull.
POLITICAL PARTIES.
Plainfield, like most of the Western Hampshire towns,
ever since the formation of the present prominent political
parties, has been strongly Republican. At the last Presi-
dential election, 94 Republican votes were cast, 15 Demo-
cratic and 3 Prohibition. Chas. C. Clark is the present
chairman of the Republican town committee and Wm. M.
Cleveland of the Democratic. The Prohibitionists as yet
have no town organization. Probably at no time in the
history of the town or of the nation has political ex-
citement run so high as in the Presidential campaign
of 1840, when Martin Van Buren and Richard M.
Johnson, Wm. Henry Harrison and John Tyler were
the opposing candidates for President and Vice Pres-
ident. Several mass meetings were held in Painfield that
BITS FROM THE OLD RECORDS. 103
fall, at which speeches were made and songs sung in
the interest of the favorite candidates, Harrison and Ty-
ler. "Tippecanoe and Tyler too," " Log cabin and hard
cider," were the war cries of the whigs. On one of these
occasions, a wagon 30 feet in length, specially constructed
for the purpose, containing 90 persons, and drawn by thir-
teen yoke of oxen, driven by Russell Tirrell and others,
came down from " Hallockville." It required no little
skill to engineer the cumberous and lengthy vehicle around
the numerous curves, but it was safely done, in spite of
many predictions to the contrary. The writer has in his
possession a tattered banner which did service during that
memorable campaign, bearing this inscription: "Plain-
field Whigs, True to Liberty and the Constitution. Nov.
2 Tells the Story." On the reverse is inscribed " Martin
and Dick, Hang up your fiddle. Tip and Tyler are com-
ing." The vote of Plainfield that fall was as follows : For
Harrison electors, 17<> ; for Van Buren electors, 27.
BITS FROM THE OLD RECORDS.
March 10, 1789, "Voted that the log-house Ichabod Pool
put up on Doct. Solomon Bond's land, be made use of for
a pound for the District." An article was inserted in the
warrant for annual town meeting for many years '' To
see if the town will allow horses and swine to goe at large
the present year." It was usually voted that swine at
least be allowed to go at large, if well yoked and ringed.
April 3, 1797, it was voted to build a stone pound 30 ft.
square, the height and thickness of the walls being speci-
fied, and that the contract be set up at vendue to the lowest
bidder. Struck off to Oliver Robinson for $37. For some
reason he failed to build it. and March 12, 1798, it was
104 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
"Voted to build a wooden pound, thirty feet square, in
the same manner that Cuinrnington pound is built. To
be built of hemlock timber by the first of July." This
was built and used until 1807. April 0, 1807. it was voted
to repair the pound; then the vote was reconsidered, and
a " committy," consisting of John Hamlen, Jacob Nash
and Edward Curtis, was appointed to inspect the old pound
and report whether it was worth repairing, and voted to
adjourn '' fourteen night," to await their decision. They
reported it not worth repairing, so it was set up at vendue
and struck off to Josiah Torrey for so cts. Then voted to
build one of stone "on the north side of the road, about
40 rods west of Joel Carr's." This spot is a little north-
west of Charles Dunham's, and part of the wall may still
be seen. The south wall was to be 34 feet thick, the others
3 feet, and to average six feet high. The contract was
awarded to Timothy Packard for $39.
Aug. 20, 1781), " Voted that the District shall procure a
Drum and fife for the use of the foot company of militia.
Voted that Capt. John Cunningham shall purchase the
above Drum and fife."
June 27, 1794, ''Voted to make up the pay to the Sol-
diers that may turn out to stand Ready to march at a min-
ute's warning for the Defence of their Country, Seven
Dollars per month with what is allowed by the Continent,
exclusive of the Dollar and GO cents per mouth allowed for
Cloathing and three Dollars Bounty, provided they are
called upon to march."
Sept. 9, 1800, " Voted to make provision for the Train-
ing soldiers at the General muster at Northampton. Voted
that Lt. Jacob Allen, Mr. Elijah Warner, and Mr. Abel
Warner be a committee to procure provision for the com-
BITS FROM THE OLD RECORDS. 105
pany. Voted that there be 25 lbs. Cheese, 120 lbs. Wheat
bread and 100 lbs. Mutton provided for said company.
Voted to allow Mr. Abel Warner five shillings for convey-
ing and taking care of said provision."
Oct. 15, 1798, •' Voted that Elijah Warner be directed to
collect flax sufficient to purchase the town stock of led."
It appears that the persons named below in this certifi-
cate had been concerned in "Shay's Rebellion."
" A List of the several persons belonging to Plainfield
who took and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance before
Samuel Mather, Esq., January, 1787, viz.:
Moses Curtis, Stephen Steth, Isaac Joy, Solomon Nash,
Tobias Green, Salmon Fay. N. B. No arms were return-
ed to me. S. Mather, Justice Peace. "
April 2. 1798, " Voted to procure a half Bushel and
peck measure. Voted that a set of Brass Weights be pro-
cured to four pounds."
April 7, 1794, "'Voted that Samuel Streeter be Sexton
the present year. Sd. Streeter is to Receive for his Trouble
in taking care of the meeting-house, sweeping the Alleys
once a month, and the Seats and Pews once in three
months, Eight shillings.
INCIDENTS AND REMINISCENCES.
•
Not long after the erection of the meeting-house belfry,
as some boys were playing around the meeting-house, one
of them, Comfort Beals by name, threw up a stone which
struck the cock which was placed on the summit of the
spire as a weather vane and bent his tail feathers. His
comrades told him that he would be put to death, which it
is presumed he actually believed, unless he went up and
straightened them. In this dilemma, he climbed up by
106 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
the lightning rod as far as the bell, where he rested awhile,
and then ascended to the vane. After restoring the tail to
its proper position, he descended, without meeting with
any accident. Years afterward, his son, Levi, when the
old meeting-house was about to be torn down, "for and
in consideration of the sum of fifty cents to him in hand
paid," ascended to the vane from the bell deck in the same
way, removed it, and brought it down in safety. This
vane was placed on Wm. Robinson's barn, where it did
service until a few years since.
In June, 1829, as Capt. Levi Cook was engaged in
shoeing a yoke of oxen, one of the animals being fast-
ened by a chain to a staple, in attempting to extricate
himself, pulled out the staple, and in doing this threw
the chain round the man's legs, the hook catching with
what is known as a "log hitch." The ox then took the
road, and ran for about half a mile, dragging the unfor-
tunate man after him. He was finally stopped by a boy.
The Captain retained his faculties sufficiently to raise him-
self up, throw off the chain, give the ox a Scotch bless-
ing, and invite him to proceed to a locality which we
will not now name, and then fainted. He was severely
bruised, and if his body had not been somewhat protect-
ed by his leather apron which dragged under him, his
injuries would have been much more severe. He recov-
ered after a tedious confinement. The shop where he
was at work was the one that stood in the upper part of
the village, nearly opposite where J. W. Sears now lives.
The ox was stopped near the site of the Bates house, mid-
way between the village and A. B. Cole's. The writer
remembers Capt. Cook as being somewhat peculiar, quite
nervous and excitable, but withal a good neighbor and
INCIDENTS AND REMINISCENCES. 107
a kind-hearted man. He was for many years the village
sexton, ringing the bell at noon and 9 P. M. as regular
as the sun. He also had the care of the meeting-house
and rung the bell for Sunday services. About the- time
of the dismission of Rev. D. B. Bradford, the church and
parish were divided on the subject, some being in favor
of his dismissal and others opposed. One Sunday noon,
the Captain, who was a warm friend of Mr. Bradford,
while in the entry ringing the bell for the afternoon ser-
vice, became involved in a somewhat heated discussion
on the subject with some of the bystanders, in which he
claimed that Mr. Bradford had been mis-used. Just then
Mr. Bradford entered the porch, and overhearing a little
of the conversation, said, "Why, Captain, you're getting
excited are you not?" "Excited?" replied the old man
in his thin, high-keyed voice, "No ! I aint excited, but
I'm mud as the devil." The Captain was a descendant of
Francis Cook, who came over in the Mayflower, the de-
scent being traced as follows : Francis, Jacob, Francis,
Robert, Nathaniel, Levi and Levi, Jr. He was born in
Abington. Mass., Feb. 14, 1783. Died Dec. 19, 1868.
About the year 1859, as William Warner's barn was
being "launched," being drawn by two lines of oxen,
assisted by a company of men, with the intention of
placing it on a new site, it suddenly, without any warn-
ing, fell in a promiscuous heap. Strange as it may ap-
pear, none of the men or oxen were injured.
FIRES.
The following is a list of fires that have occurred in
town. Probably all are not included : Joseph Beals'
house was burnt February, 1789. Early in 1819 the house
108 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
of Benj. Gardner, Jr. and Warren Gardner. April 22,
182-4, Ira Hamlen's house, including a hat manufactory.
February, 1825, the woolen factory of Arnold & Nahuni
Streeter. Dec. 13, 1833. the house of Stallham Rice, with
all its contents, the family being absent. Dr. Porter,
writing in 1834, says: " Four school-houses have been
destroyed by tire, the last on Dec. 3, 1833. Two of these
were in the northeast district. There have also been burnt
four mechanics' shops and a small distillery." March 28.
1835. the house of Bela Dyer, where John F. Cook's
house now stands, was burned. Mrs. Dyer was frying
doughnuts, and the fat taking fire, ignited flax which was
spread overhead, the house being unfinished. The house
and barn of Rev. A. H. Sweet, which stood where the
house of the late Mrs. Frances P. Clark now stands, were
burned one Sunday evening in August, 1858. It was set
in the barn by his son, then a small boy, while playing
with matches. Probably a hundred people were there
within ten or fifteen minutes after the fire broke out, it
being about five o'clock, and many were on their way to
evening service, it being a time of special religious inter-
est. Nearly everything was saved from the buildings,
including doors and windows, and had any proper ap-
paratus been at hand, the house could probably have
been saved, as a large tank of water holding many barrels
was near. There was no insurance. — Geo. Vining had a
barn burned one summer night, said to have been struck
by lightning. Later, about 18G0, his house and another
barn were burned at different times. Cause of fire un-
known. Fully insured. Not far from this time, an un-
occupied house in the north part of the town, known as
the " Livermore " house, owned by Leonard Joy. was
FIRES. 109
burned. Mr. Joy had kindled a fire in the fire-place while
making some repairs on the interior of the building, the
weather being cold, and while absent at a neighbors on
some errand, the house took fire and was consumed. Feb.
22, 1861, the house of S. H. Lincoln was burned; supposed
to have taken from a defective chimney. Insured for
$700. Considerable clothing and furniture were destroy-
ed. Mr. Lincoln owned an old house on the opposite side
of the road, which lie repaired and occupied. — About
twenty years since, the old house formerly occupied by
the late Samuel Davison, caught fire from a burning
brush heap. The house was unoccupied. Loss small. —
Francis W. Joy's carpenter's shop was burned in the
spring of 1863. — A few years later Thomas Wheeler's barn
was struck by lightning and destroyed. — The woolen fac-
tory of S. C. Streeter was burned in 1876. The loss of
contents was nearly total. No insurance. — Ezra Tyrrell's
house, occupied by Levi Blanchard, was burned in 1880.
Supposed to have taken fire from a defective flue. — April
4, 1886, the house of Roswell Davison was burned. The
chimney took fire in the morning and burned out, and
being watched through the day was supposed to be all
safe, though still hot at evening. During the night the
fire broke out, and the house was consumed with most of
its contents. Mr. Davison was quite ill at the time and
unable to render much assistance. It was nearly burned
down before any help arrived. Mrs. Davison and her
daughter carried out some articles, but most of the cloth-
ing and bedding removed caught fire and were burned.
Insurance $400. — March 12, 1889, the barns and carriage-
house of Clark Smith, occupied by his son, Wm. C. Smith,
took fire from a heater used to warm water for the cattle,
lit) HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
situated in the extreme south end of a connecting shed,
and were consumed, together with six young cattle and
several hogs. Most of the farming tools were saved. The
house was in great danger and was saved only by the most
persistent efforts. The contents were removed, it being-
doubtful whether it could be saved. A large quantity of
ice packed for creamery use, (but not covered) between
the house and the burning building, was of great assistance
in saving the house, the men being able to stand under its
shelter at the most critical time, when the fire was nearest,
and throw water on the house with small force pumps.
No insurance on buildings or contents. The roofs of Rev.
Solomon Clark's buildings on the opposite side of the road,
repeatedly took fire, but were extinguished. — The saw-mill
of Geo. W. Billings, with all its contents, were burned on
the night of April 18, 1890. They had been blasting logs
for fuel, in the mill yard, during the day, and it is thought
that fire might in some way have been communicated to
the sawdust in or near the mill. No insurance. The mill
has been rebuilt, Mr. Billings being aided in it somewhat
by the town's people. — Sept. 18, 1800, the barns of W. E.
Shaw were consumed with some sixty or more tons of hay.
Insurance on barns, $500; on hay, S500. The cause of the
fire is unknown. These barns were on the place formerly
occupied by the late William Warner. — The blacksmith
shop of J. & E. Spearman took fire on the roof in June,
1878, but was barely saved from destruction by great exer-
tions on the part of the citizens. — July 4, 1888, J. W.
Sears' house took fire on the roof. Fortunately it was
about dinner time and most of the neighbors were at home,
and rallied so quickly that the fire was extinguished before
great damage was done. The Insurance company awarded
FIRES. 1 1 1
him $00. The town has no apparatus for extinguishing
fires. A large public cistern holding many barrels of wa-
ter, and kept filled by a never-failing stream, was placed
near Mack's store, at least 50 years ago, and is still kept
up. A similar one was placed near the Town Hall in 1S90.
CHAPTER XIII.
Persons Now Living Here Over 75.— Foreigners.— Old Hotses.— General Type.
— Original Dwellings Now Standing. — Singing Schools.- •'■The Old Village
Choir.'" — Dramatic Club. — " Saddle the Dogs."— Contrast.
Names and ages of persons over 75, living in Plainfield
March 14, 1801 :
Mrs. Temperance Atkins, 02
Isaac T. Barker,
Sumner Burt,
Leonard Campbell,
Mrs. L. Campbell,
Levi Clark,
Mrs, Levi Clark,
Mrs. Susan Cook,
Mill son S. Colburn,
Mrs. Roxana Dunham,
Bethuel Gloyd,
Mrs. Martha Hamlen,*
82
75
80
70
88
88
88
83
77
81
85
Mrs. Margaret Knipping, 85
Ira Mason,
Isaac Parker, (about) SO
James Spearman, (about) 8:5
Hiram Stearns. 81
Lyman K. Thayer, 70
Samuel B. Thayer. 75
Russell Tirrell. 70
Jeremiah Tyrrell. 82
Thos. K. Wheeler, 78
Wm. C. Whiting, 78
Mrs. Nancy Williams, 8.1
William Wiuslow, 78
Emalvin Wing, 8o
FOREIGNERS.
Very few foreigners have become permanent residents
of this town. James and Edward Spearman, Irish, and
by trade blacksmiths, settled here about 1854. Neither
were ever naturalized and therefore did not vote. They
were industrious, respectable citizens, and amassed quite
* Mrs Hamlen died May 17, 1891.
(11^)
OLD HOUSES. 113
a competence. Edward died in October, 1887. James
still lives here, his sister, Margaret Knipping, keeping
house for him. — Neil Swanson, a Swede, came here with
his family about 1888. His father and mother followed
in 1890. Carl and Swan Petterson, relatives of Swanson,
also arrived here about the same time as Swanson. They
are all industrious, peaceable citizens, most of them fairly
well educated. The above named are all the foreigners
now living in town.
OLD HOUSES.
The first frame houses built were nearly all of the same
style and general plan ; one story in height, front door in
center, opening into a small entry about 4x8. This opened
on each side into a front room about 16x16; each of these
into a kitchen and general living room at the back of the
house about 20x16. At the gable end of the house, was a
door opening into an entry 4x9, at one side of which a
flight of narrow and steep stairs ascended to the floor
above. At the end of this entry, a door opened into the
great kitchen. By the side of this entry door was the en-
trance to the cellar; just beyond a door opened to a bed-
room about 8x9. At the opposite end of the room was a
door opening to another bedroom somewhat larger, and by
the side of it a "buttery" of ordinary size. A door from
the back of the kitchen led to a back room or woodshed,
in a separate building. In the center of the house was the
capacious chimney, 8 or 10 feet square at the base, by the
side of which were cupboards in each of the front rooms,
and a big brick oven in the kitchen. A small closet usu-
ally opened from the front entry. The windows were
high above the floor, and those in the principal rooms con-
8
114 HISTORY OF PLAINFIFXD.
tained 24 lights of 6x8 glass; those in the bedrooms and
buttery, 15 lights. Two bedrooms with very low ceilings
were usually finished off in the chamber. All the nails
used were forged by hand and were quite expensive. This
description fits nine out of ten of the first frame houses,
many of which are still standing. Some have been re-
modelled by taking out the original chimney and substi-
tuting a modern one, changing the- interior somewhat.
Of those now remaining in nearly their original condition
I will name the following : Thos. Mason's, in the southwest
part of the town. Original occupant, Ashur Holdridge.
Further north on West St., Lemuel Mason's, formerly oc-
cupied by Samuel Thayer, Jr. In the east part, on Grant
St., the Ben;j. Gloyd house, unoccupied. On South St.,
Bethuel Gloyd's, formerly occupied by his father, Joseph
Gloyd. On Central St., just south of the village, the house
occupied by the family of the late Lewis Shaw and L. A.
White, formerly occupied by Josiah Shaw, Jr. This is
in the best preservation of any of its class in town. Just
south of this is the house built by Josiah first, where
his son Freeman lived, but the large chimney has been
removed. One fourth of a mile east of this, on Broom
St., is that of O. C. Burt, also well preserved. Former
occupant Jared Dyer. At the end of Parsons Av. is the
house of Stephen Parsons, one of' the oldest ; built and oc-
cupied by Jacob Nash. South of the meeting-house, on
Union St., is the house of James F. Gurney. This has
been modernized somewhat by the addition of a piazza,
and large windows have been substituted for the old style.
The essential features remain, including the chimney.
This was formerly occupied by Ichabod Noyes and others.
The house of E. A. Atkins, on High St., was built and
Old houses. 115
occupied by John Hamlen. It was thoroughly construct-
ed of the best materials, and the workmanship was better
than ordinary. It is now in excellent condition. The
Rev. Moses Hallock house, occupied by James Spearman.
Mrs. Martha J. Lamb in an article in the Magazine of
American History, writes of this house as follows: " A
volume could be written with this picturesque old dwelling
for a text, which even now looks very comfortable in its
antiquity, surrounded by orchards and shade trees, although
shorn of the roses and flowery shrubs which formerly beau-
tified its front yard. If its walls could talk, a host of promi-
nent characters who frequented it in the several decades of
its history might be introduced to us. After Mr. Hallock's
death it was sold, and became for many years the home of
Mrs. Mack, a daughter of Dea. Richards, and her family."
The house of L. K. Thayer on Pleasant St., built and oc-
cupied by Abram Clark, is still in nearly its original con-
dition. The house occupied by Samuel B. Thayer on South
Central St:, which Elijah Warner, Sr. built, and where he
lived and died, and after him his sons Cushing and Wells.
The Dea. James Richards house, still standing and in good
condition, is occupied by A. B. Cole. The old chimney
has been taken out and some minor alterations made in
the interior. The house of C. W. Packard on West Hill,
original occupant, Josiah Torrey. From this the chimney
has been removed. The old Robinson house on Summit
St., and N. K. Lincoln's on Pleasant St., are also of this
type. The house of S. H. Sears just north of the meeting-
house, was built and occupied by Samuel Streeter, and is
believed to be the oldest house now standing. It was ex-
tensively re-modelled by Cyrus Joy, Esq. , some sixty years
ago. He added a second story, built four chimnies, and
116 . History of plainfieLd.
altered the interior so that scarcely any of the original
features remain. These houses were all built from 90 to
100 years ago, and as a rule were painted red.
Charles Dudley Warner, in reply to an invitation to be
present at the centennial of the Plainfield church in 1880,
wrote as follows : "I was very young when I left Plain-
field and I have only occasionally visited it of late years,
but it has an interest for me that no other place on earth
has. The older I grow the more grateful I am that I was
born in Massachusetts and in that particular hill-town.
I think I owe to its pure air, its noble scenery, the early
purity and simplicity of its manners and the influence of
an honorable, God-fearing ancestry, the best that is in my
life. I was baptized by the splendid old Puritan pastor of
that day, Parson Hallock. He was in the best sense the
conscience of the town. Scholar, minister, pastor, coun-
selor, who can measure the influence of such a man on his
generation! There is the old red house. I should advise
everybody to be born in a red house such as that in which
I was born, with its rows of fruit trees, its maple orchard,
its sunny fields and the stone walls that speak as a fence
of wood never can, of security and home."
" From the weather-worn house on the brow of the hill,
We are dwelling afar in our manhood today ;
But we see the old gables and hollyhocks still,
As they looked long ago, ere we wandered away ;
We can see the tall well-sweep that stands by the door
And the sunshine that gleams on the old yellow floor.
We can hear the low hum of the hard-working bees
At their toil in our father's old orchard once more,
In the broad, trembling tops of the bright blooming trees,
As they busily gather their sweet winter store;
And the murmuring brook, — the delightful old horn,
And the cawing black crows that are pulling the corn.
OLD HOUSES. 117
We can hear the sharp creak of the farm gate again
And the loud-cackling hens in the gray barn near by
With its broad sagging floor and its scaffolds of grain,
And its rafters, that once seemed to reach to the sky ;
We behold the great beams and the bottomless bay
Where we farm boys once joyfully jumped on the hay.
We can see the low hog-pen, just over the way,
And the long, ruined shed by the side of the road,
Where the sleds in the summer were hidden away.
And the wagons and plows in the winter were stowed;
And the cider-mill down in the hollow below,
With a long, creaking sweep, the old horse used to draw,
Where we learned, by the homely old tub, long ago,
What a world of sweet rapture there was in a straw;
Prom the cider casks there, loosely lying around,
More leaked from the bung-holes than dripped on the ground.
We behold the bleak hillsides still bristling with rocks,
Where the mountain stream murmured with musical sound.
Where we hunted and fished, where we chased the red fox,
With lazy old house dog or loud baying hound ;
And the cold, cheerless woods we delighted to tramp
For the shy, whirring partridge, in snow to our knees,
Where, with neck-yoke and pails, in the old sugar-camp
We gathered the sap from the tall maple trees.
And the fields where our plows danced a furious jig,
While we wearily followed the furrow all day,
Where we stumbled and bounded o'er boulders so big
That it took three yoke of oxen to draw them away;
Where we sowed, where we hoed, where we cradled and mowed,
Where we scattered the swaths that were heavy with dew,
Where we tumbled, we pitched, and behind the tall load,
The broken old bull-rake reluctantly drew.
How we grasped the old sheepskin with feelings of scorn
As we straddled the back of the old sorrel mare,
And rode up and down through the green rows of corn
Like a pin on a clothes-line that sways in the air;
We can hear our stern father reproving us still,
As the careless old creature " comes down on a hill."
We are far from the home of our boyhood to-day,
In the battle of life we are struggling alone;
The weather worn farmhouse has gone to decay,
The chimney has fallen, its swallows have flown,
But Fancy yet brings on her bright golden wings
Her beautiful pictures again from the past,
And Memory fondly and tenderly clings
To pleasures and pastimes, too lovely to last.
118 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
We wander again by the river today ;
We sit in the school-room o'erflo wing with fun,
We whisper, we play, and we scamper away
When our lessons are learned and the spelling is done.
We see the old cellar where apples were kept,
The garret, where all the old rubbish was thrown,
The little back chamber where snugly we slept,
The homely old kitchen, the broad hearth of stone,
Where apples were roasted in many a row,
Where our grandmothers nodded and knit long ago.
Our grandmothers long have reposed in the tomb;
With a strong, healthy race they have peopled the land ;
They worked with the spindle, they toiled at the loom,
Nor lazily brought up their babies by hand.
The old flint lock musket, whose awful recoil
Made many a Nimrod in agony cry,
Once hung on the chimney, a part of the spoil
Our gallant old grandfathers captured at u Ti."
Brave men were our grandfathers, sturdy and strong;
The Kings of the forest they plucked from their lauds;
They were stem in their virtues, they hated all wrong,
And they fought for the right with their hearts and their hands.
Oh! fresh be their memory, cherished the sod
That long has grown green o'er their sacred remains,
And grateful our hearts to a generous God
For the blood and the spirit that flows in our veins.
Our Hallocks, our Whites, and our Warner3 are gone
But our mountains remain with their evergreen crown,
The souls of our fathers are yet " marching on."
The structure they founded shall never go down.
From the weather-worn house on the brow of the hill
We are dwelling afar in our manhood to-day;
But we see the old gables and hollyhocks still,
As they looked when we lef c them to wander away.
But the dear ones we loved in the sweet long ago
In the old village churchyard sleep under the snow."
Ecgbne J. Hall.
SINGING SCHOOLS.
As early as 1794, three choristers were chosen " for the
Church and Congregation," viz. : Capt. James Richards,
Lieut. Joseph Joy and Ensign Thomas Shaw. In 1708
it was voted to raise $30 for the support of a singing
SINGING SCHOOLS. 119
school. An appropiation of $25 was also made in 1804, to
be -expended for the same purpose, under the direction of
Josiah Shaw, Capt. Joseph Joy and John Hamlen. James
Richards led the singing for many years. Later Dea.
Freeman Hamlen and Capt. Reuben Hamlen were chor-
isters; afterward, Wm. J. Shattuck, Horatio A. Shaw and
others. David Shaw and Orson S. "White were the first
to introduce the violin into the choir. Dexter White
brought in the base-viol about the same time. Orson
played the violin in the choir about fifty years in succes-
sion, except a few years when he was living in Springfield.
Joseph L. Campbell and Seth W. Clark each played the
violin with the choir for a few years. Leonard Campbell
played the flute and also the double bass-viol for a time.
These instruments were some years since superseded by
the cabinet organ. This was played by Mrs. L. A. White
for a time, then by Mrs. Wm. C. Smith. After she
removed from town Mrs. A. R. Tirrell filled the place.
Mrs. L. A. White is now the regular organist. An
active interest was taken in sustaining a good choir
and for many years Plainfield excelled in this respect.
Among those who taught singing schools here, were G.
W. Lucas, Col. Asa Barr, Wm. F. Sherwin, Marshall
Q. L. Dickinson, Mr. Harding and Mrs. Sanderson. Mr.
Dickinson has for the third time taught a class here the
past winter. As long ago as the old meeting-house was
standing, as many as 100 were at one time members of
the choir. Wm. C. Whiting and wife, both now living in
town, were for 58 and 53 years, respectively, active mem-
bers. Both retain their voices for singing in a remarkable
degree. One Ford, was the first who taught music here,
with the possible exception of Dea. Richards.
120 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
" THE OLD VILLAGE CHOIR.
" I have fancied, sometimes, the Bethel-bent beam
That trembled to earth in the patriarch's dream,
Was a ladder of song in that wilderness rest,
From the pillow of stone to the blue of the blest,
And the angels descending to dwell with us here,
" Old Hundred" and " Corinth" and " China" and " Mear."
" Let us sing to God's praise," the minister said;
All the psalm-books at once fluttered open at " York,"
Sunned their long dotted wings in the words that he read,
While the leader leaped into the tune just ahead,
And politely picked up the key-note with a fork ;
And the vicious old viol went growling along
At the heels of the girls, in the rear of the song.
All the hearts are not dead, not under the sod,
That those breaths can blow open to heaven and God !
Ah, " Silver Street" flows by a bright shining road, —
Oh, not to the hymns that in harmony flowed, —
But the sweet human psalms of the old-fashioned choir,
To the girl that sang alto, — the girl that sang air!
Oh, I need not a wing — bid no genii come
With a wonderful web from Arabian loom,
To bear me again up the river of Time;
When the world was in rhythm, and life was its rhyme,
When the streams of the years flowed so noiseless and narrow
That across it there floated the song of the sparrow.
For a sprig of green caraway carries me there,
To the old village church, and the old village choir,
Where, clear of ,the floor my feet slowly swung,
And timed the sweet pulse of the praise that they sung,
Till the glory aslant from the afternoon sun
Seemed the rafters of gold in God's temple begun '
You may smile at the nasals of old Deacon Brown
Who followed by scent, till he ran the tune down;
And dear Sister Green, with more goodness than grace,
Rose and fell on the tunes as she stood in her place,
And where " Coronation " exultingly flows.
Tried to reach the high notes on the tips of her toes!
To the land of the leal they have gone with their song,
Where the choir and the chorus together belong;
Oh, be lifted, ye gates ! Let me hear them again —
Blessed song, blessed singers ! forever, Amen !
Benjamin F. Tatlob.
DRAMATIC CLUB — CONTRASTS. 121
DRAMATIC CLUB.
A dramatic club was organized here about 1870. With
the assistance of Stephen Hay ward, Jr., a drop curtain and
stage scenery and fixtures to the value of $300 were pur-
chased. A number of plays were successfully rendered,
among them "Uncle Tom's Cabin," and "Paul Pry," all
the characters being local members of the club. It has
been practically disbanded for several years. The scenery,
still in good condition, remains in the town hall. Frank
Jenks, who went West nearly twenty years since, was an
excellent actor and an enthusiastic member. When "Un-
cle Tom's Cabin " was played, he took the part of " Phin-
eas Fletcher," and also that of " Legree." At one of the
rehearsals, at the point where the escape of Cassy is dis-
covered, he, taking his cue, came on the stage hurriedly
and in an excited manner shouted, " Call out my horse,
Saddle the dogs." I think none who were present will
forget it, or the bursts of unrestrained laughter that fol-
lowed, mingled with applause, from the company.
CONTRASTS.
I can hardly close without contrasting the every day liv-
ing of 100 years ago with that of to-day. The food of our
grandfathers and grandmothers was rye and indian bread,
johnny cake, pork and beans, and potatoes, with other
garden vegetables in their season. Pies and cake were
esteemed luxuries and were only had at Thanksgiving time
or a wedding. Wheat flour in the earlier days was almost
unheard of, but little wheat being raised here. No flour
was brought into town for sale until 1812, when a few bar-
rels were brought from New York State. Once or twice
a week the capacious brick oven at the side of the chimney
122 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
was heated by building a fire in it of "oven wood," fine
and dry. After the fire had burned down, the coals and
ashes were withdrawn, the oven swept with an ""oven
broom," and the bread, pork and beans and whatever arti-
cles were to be baked, placed inside. A "bread peel,"
which was a broad, fla£, long-handled wooden shovel, was
used for placing and removing articles from the back of
the oven, which was some five feet in diameter. This
oven, although it would now be considered very incon-
venient, surpassed all the modern stoves and ranges in its
baking qualities. The table was set with wooden or pew-
ter plates, the parents and older members of the family
only being seated, it being customary at that time for the
children to stand during the meal. The houses were heat-
ed and cooking, except baking, was done at open fire-
places, which consumed fabulous amounts of wood. They
were large enough to take a "back log" 12 or 15 inches in
diameter and at least six feet in length. In front of this,
on huge andirons, was placed the "fore stick," perhaps
one-half as large, with fine wood underneath. The oldest
houses were constructed in such a way that a horse could
be used to draw the immense back log into the house. It
usually lasted two or three days. The fire when once kin-
dled was not allowed to go out from one year's end to the
other, the coals at bedtime and at such other times as the
fire was not needed, being carefully covered with ashes to
keep it. Matches were then unknown, and if by accident
or oversight a family lost their fire, a child was dispatched
to the nearest neighbors with a skillet or small iron kettle
to borrow some live cloals, or if the distance from neigh-
bors was too great, the flint and steel and a little tow were
resorted to. Matches when first introduced were only
CONTRASTS. 123
used in emergencies and cost 25 cents for a small box con-
taining perhaps 50. They were called " Lucifers." Near-
ly everything in the way of clothing was made from cloth
produced at home. Linen and tow cloth from flax raised
on the farm, with home-made flannel, supplied the under-
wear. Men and boys dressed in homespun wool cloth,
either blue or butternut color. This cloth after being wo-
ven at home, was sent to a cloth-dressing machine, where
it was fulled and dressed. The ladies perhaps had a chintz
gown purchased at the store for Sunday wear, and the
" goodman," if well-to-do, had a broadcloth coat, the ma-
terial for which had been imported. The boots and shoes
for the whole family were made by the shoemaker, each
farmer as a rule furnishing his own leather. It was very
common for a shoemaker to travel from house to house
with his kit of tools, stopping long enough to make and
repair what shoes were required for perhaps six months,
for each family. It was also common for a tailoress to
travel in the same way. Such a thing as buying a pair of
shoes at a store was unheard of. Not until as late as 1825
or 1830 were any kept for sale, and then only a few
•'prunell" shoes for ladies. The loom and large and
small spinning wheel were among the most necessary
household furnishings. The plows were made of wood,
covered by a blacksmith with iron plates. Cast iron plows
when first introduced were treated with ridicule, few be-
lieving that they could be used in this stony land without
being broken at once. Only a few cows were kept, enough
to supply butter, milk and cheese for family use, there be-
ing little or no outside market for butter. Every farmer
kept a flock of sheep, the surplus wool selling readily.
Each registered with the town clerk a description of his
124 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
ear-mark for sheep, which must be different from any pre-
viously registered. Much attention was paid to raising,
mating, and "breaking" steers; ox teams being much
more extensively used than now. They were almost the
only team used for all farm purposes. — The usual form of
salutation to a superior in social position, or when it was
desired to show respect, was "Your sarvant, sir," or
" Your sarvant, marm," with a lifting of the hat if by a
gentleman, or a courtesy if by a lady. Spirituous liquors
were at that time made use of by all, even the minister.
They were cheap and unadulterated, and the evil effects
resulting from their use were not as marked as at the pres-
ent day. Not a building could be raised, nor any arduous
work undertaken without an abundant supply of rum. I
am informed by Mr. Levi Clark, who, although 88 years
of age, retains his mental faculties in a remarkable degree,
that about the year 1820 twelve hogsheads of rum and
other liquors were brought into town and sold in a single
year, and probably this did not represent the whole amount
drank, to say nothing of unlimited quantities of cider. It
is not perhaps worth while to present in detail the style
and customs of the present age in contrast with the fore-
going. We live in an age when improvement makes rapid
strides. What is new and wonderful to-day, becomes like
a twice told tale to-morrow. We cease to be surprised at
any wonderful invention. Let us be thankful that we live
in this age, rather than in the so-called " good old days "
of our fathers and grandfathers.
HATFIELD EQUIVALENT.
(The following matter taken from the " History of Hawley," by Wm. G.
Atkins, came to hand too late for insertion in the proper place.)
In 1659, in consideration of some services rendered, the
General Court granted to Mr. Simon Bradstreet (afterward
HatfIeld equivalent. 125
Governor) 500 acres of land, and the same amount to Maj.
Daniel Denison, with the privilege of locating the same
" at any place west of the Connecticut River, provided
that it be full six miles from the place intended for North-
ampton meeting-house, upon a straight line." Gov. Brad-
street had first choice and chose Hatfield north meadows,
beginning at the north end of the street and running north
and west to the ponds. Maj. Denison took his north of the
ponds, extending north on the river one mile, and west
from the river 250 rods. Immediately after this Hatfield
was settled, and the inhabitants began to murmur about
these grants. As they were not then set off from. Hadley,
that town induced Gov. Bradstreet to remove his claim and
accept 1000 acres lying north of Maj. Denison's, and in
addition they were to pay the Governor 200 pounds. So
after the transfer had been made they had a strip three
miles long and 250 rods wide, taking all the meadow land
on that side the river for three miles. After Hatfield
became a separate town she felt uneasy about this possess-
ion of so much of her best farm lands. So she petitioned
the " Great and General Court" for some redress for her
grievance and the legislature in 1744 gave her the lands
lying adjacent to Huntstown, now Ashfield, in all 8064
acres, as an equivalent for the lands originally granted to
Bradstreet and Denison. The basis of this division of the
Hatfield Equivalent was the valuation of estates for taxa-
tion, after the manner of the original division of the town
of Hatfield in 1684. There were 83 recipients of this bounty
which included all the tax-payers of Hatfied at that time.
Their names are given in the records, with the number of
acres and rods given to each. These proprietors met at
Hatfield May 6, 1765, and passed sundry votes in regard
120 HISTORY OF PLAlNFlELt).
to laying out ways through the tract. These ways were
all to be four rods wide aud so laid as not to divide any
proprietor's lot. Only a few of these ways were ever used,
and the vacancies left for that purpose were the occasion
of numerous disputes in after years among the owners of
the abutting lots. The matter was finally settled by a
committee chosen by the town for that purpose, so far as
concerned that portion of the tract lying in Plainfield.
GENEALOGICAL HISTORY OF THE EARLY SET-
TLERS AND THEIR DESCENDANTS, WITH
ANECDOTES AND SKETCHES.
EBENEZER BISBEE.
Ebenezer Bisbee, one of the first settlers of the town,
was born in 1754, probably in Bridgwater, Mass. He
served a short time in the Revolutionary army and settled
here as early as 1779, on the farm now occupied by Wm.
H. Packard, in the southwest part of the town. He was
chosen one of the Selectmen in 1788 and served 15 years.
Died Jan. 12, 1837.
Children : Isaac, born April 2, 1779; Barton, April 3,
1781; James, Aug. 11, 1783; John, July 3, 1785; Nabby,
Aug. 6, 1788; Jennett, Aug. 16, 1790; Arza, Aug. 11, 1792,
died Sept. 3, 1796; Galen, Sept. 1, 1797; Mehitable, May
25, 1800.
1. Isaac mar. Martha Robinson, Nov. 6, 1801.
2. Barton mar. Lovina Bird, Oct. 26, 1803.
3. James mar. Polly Packard, Jan. 28, 1807.
4. John mar. Mary Lyon of Goshen, Feb., 1810. He
spent most of his life in Plainfield. Died Jan. 10, 1879 in
consequence of injuries received by falling down a flight
of stairs. He spent his last years with his daughter, Mrs.
L. Campbell, his wife having deceased Feb. 25, 1860, at
. (127)
128 HISTORY OP PLAINFIELD.
the. age of 72. Children : Eliza M., born Dec. 10, 1810;
Jared, Nov. 25, 1812 ; Lovisa, April 18, 1815; Uzal, April
13, 1818; John Foster, April 5, 1821; Cyrus L., June 14,
1828, died Oct. 17, 1838; James D., May 7. 1829.
Eliza mar. Sylvester Higgins of No. Adams, June, 1834.
Jared mar. Hannah Fowler, April 19, 1837. Children :
Almon D., born Jan. 8, 1838; Martha H., Oct. 5, 1844;
Eliza, Jan. 14, 1846; James D., May 29, 1847; John F.,
Feb. 15, 1850; Flora E., Jan. 27, 1852.
Lovisa mar. Leonard Campbell, April 15, 1835.
Uzal mar. Olivia Longley of Hawley. Children : Har-
riet, Alice, Julia and Carrie.
Nabby, daughter of Ebenezer, mar. Rufus P. Bates,
Nov. 29, 1804.
Jennett, daughter of Ebenezer, mar. Stephen Hayward,
Sept. 11, 1812, died Feb. 2, 1838.
Galen, son of Ebenezer, mar. Penelope Patch, Jan. 1,
1824. Children, born in Plainfield, Lucinda, Nov. 27, 1824.
Mehitable, daughter of Ebenezer, mar. Joel Lyon,
March 8, 1821.
JOSEPH BEALS.
Joseph Beals was born in Bridgwater, Mass., in 1752.
He came here with his family in 1779, when this town was
still a part of Cummington. In 1789, a year of great
scarcity, he suffered the loss of his house and nearly all
his provisions by fire. His religious experience, dating
from this calamity, was the subject of the tract, "The
Mountain Miller," by Wm. A. Hallock. It has been print-
ed in the French and German, as well as the English lan-
guage, and its circulation has reached several hundred
thousand copies. The second house which he built is the
JOSEPH BEALS. 129
same now occupied by Nelson W. Cook, though it has
been considerably altered. His grist-mill was a few rods
above the present mill of J. A. Nash. Served as selectman
in 1795. Was chosen deacon of the Plainfield church in
1803. Died July 20, 1813, aged 01. His children were
Samuel, born in Bridgwater, Sept. 20, 1775 ; Joseph, Jr.,
also born in Bridgwater, July 3, 1778 ; Robert, born Dec.
7, 1780: Lydia L., May 19, 1787, died Dec. 4, 1804; Polly,
April 13, 1789; Lovisa, Jan. 4, 1792.
1. Samuel mar. Sally Chamberlain, July 31, 1798. Their
children were Dennis, born May 14, 1799; Otis, Dec. 10,
1801; Lydia L., Feb. 10, 1800, mar. Lemuel Allis (second
wife) May 18, 1825. — Samuel died June 30, 1851. — Dennis
mar. Almira Hadlock in 1821. Their children were Sam-
uel, 2d, born Aug. S, 1824; Dennis A., Oct. 13, 1827 ; Laura
A., March 30, 1831; John C, Jan. 1, 1834 ; Flora E., Nov.
4, 1844, and two who died in infancy. — Samuel, 2d, mar.
Miss Bushnell of Cheshire and removed to Michigan,
where he died. — Dennis A. mar. Ruth T. Hunt of Haw-
ley, March, 1847. Lives in North Adams. — Laura mar.
Lewis Longley, May, 1855; died Jan., 1891. — John C. mar.
Lorinda H. Fuller of Hawley, Oct. 1855. — Flora E. mar.
Harvey L. Hadlock, June 11, 1868; died Nov. 19, 1808.
Almira, wife of Dennis, was for many years insane, but
was not so violent as to make it necessary to confine her.
Dennis died March 29, 1879. — Otis mar. Roxana Lazell.
March 20, 1820. They settled in Hawley. Otis died in
Plainfield, June 10, 1882. Children : Edmund, born Dec.
2, 1827, died in Plainfield, Oct. 13, 1802 ; Roxana, Nov. 21,
1830, mar. James Murray, 1857. live in Iowa; H. Harri-
son, Nov. 5, 1838; H. Wesley, July 20, 1830, mar. Harriet
Landon, June, 1859 — one son, Fred W., born Oct. 23, 1801,
9
130 HISTORY OP PLAINFIELD.
He mar. Cora H. Hinckley, April 11, 1886 — one son,
Darwin L., born Dec. 23, 1888.
2. Joseph Beals, Jr. mar. Betsey Reed, May 13, 1802; died
Aug. 7, 1847. Children: Harriet, born April 9, 1803; Loren
Dec. 6, 1805; Dexter, Oct. 28, 1807; Annis, Jan. 23, 1811, died
May 6, 1841; Betsey, Feb. 17, 1814, died June 23, 1839; Lydia
P., Feb. 5, 1818; Joseph 3d, Aug. 6, 1821. — Harriet mar.
Lorin White, March 31, 1823. — Loren mar. Sarah Davison,
Nov. 29, 1832. — Dexter mar. Julia Packard of Goshen. —
Joseph 3d married and settled in Greenfield, Mass., as a
dentist.
3. Robert mar. Nabby Vining, Jan. 10, 1805. Was
chosen one of the Selectmen in 1819 and served four years.
Was chosen Town Clerk in 1821, and served seven years.
Died July 2, 1844. Children : Fordyce, born Oct. 21, 180(5;
Vesta, Sept. 29, 1808; Eli V., Jan 25, 1810; Mary, April 12,
1812; Abigail, June 24, 1810; Robert P., Aug. 24, 1819;
Alden Porter, May 30, 1825. — Fordyce mar. Mary H. Green,
died in New Haven, Ct. in 1870. — Vesta mar. Samuel Snell
of Cummington, Dec. 14, 1831. He deceased, and she mar.
Philo Packard of Cummington (second wife). â €” Eli V. died
in Pittsfield in 1854.— Mary mar. Albert Dyer, Dec. 3, 1835.
— Abigail mar. Granville B. Hall of Ashfield, April 11,
1843. — Robert P. mar. for second wife Margaret Burt, died
in Springfield, Oct. 7, 1885. — Alden P. mar. for second
wife Augusta Waite of Hatfield, died at Stamford, Ct.,
April 12, 1889.
4. Polly, daughter of Joseph 1st, mar. Ebenezer Lovell,
March 2, 1809, died July 30, 1810.
5. Lovisa, mar. Wm. Reed of Albany, N. Y., Jan. 11,
1814.
JOHN CAMPBELL. i31
JOHN CAMPBELL.
John Campbell was born Nov. 2, 1752. Served in the
war of the Revolution, and witnessed Burgoyne's surrender
to Gates in 1777. Mar. Lydia Kent, June 25, 1783, and
settled here as early as 1784. They lived in a small house
on the exact site of the old Campbell house, torn down
in 1890. His wife Lydia died Sept. 6, 1806, aged 51. He
mar. for a second wife, Betsey Hunt of Hawley, Jan. 18,
1809. She died Sept. 7, 1818, aged 38. For a third wife
he mar. Mrs. Asenath Claghorn of Hawley, Nov. 1819.
Her daughter by her first husband, Mrs. Temperance At-
kins, is still living in town. He died April 25, 1833.
Children of John and his wife Lydia were Ebenezer,
born July 13, 1784; Levi, March 5, 1786; Edmund, Feb. 19.
1788; Sally, Dec. 8, 1789; Amasa, May 30, 1791; Betsey,
July 15, 1797.
1. Ebenezer is not further mentioned in the records.
He married and had at least one son, Ebenezer, Jr.
2. Levi mar. Clarissa Joy, daughter of Joseph, June 14,
1S10, died Nov. 6, 1874. Children : Leonard, born April
15, 1811,; Levi N., Nov. 13,- 1812. Clarissa M., Sept. 16,
1821; Joseph Lyman, Dec. 19, 1824; also a daughter who
died in 1818, aged 3, and another in 1828, aged 11. — Leon-
ard mar. Lovisa Bisbee, April 15, 1835. Held the office of
Deputy Sheriff for 28 years, and Postmaster over 30 years.
Has served as moderator of town meetings more times
than any other citizen. Had one son, Fred E., born May
17, 1836. He mar. Amanda L. Pratt, Oct. 30, 1860. They
had one child, Kate L., born Sept. 16, 1862; mar. Merritt
O. Wallace. Reside in Florence, Mass. Fred E. died in
Florence, Mass., Oct. 29, 1886. The following resolutions
132 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
were passed by " Florence Lodge, No. 1207, Knights of
Honor," ou his decease :
" Whereas, it has pleased the Supreme Dictator of the
Universe, to again invade our circle, and call from the
fraternity before to that beyond, Brother Frederick E.
Campbell, and
Whereas, in his death our lodge has sustained the loss of
a valued and efficient member, the community an honest,
upright citizen, his family a kind, loving and faithful
husband and father, therefore,
Resolved, that while we bow in humble submission to
the Divine Will, we desire to express the deep sense of
personal loss we feel, and extend to the afflicted family our
earnest and heartfelt sympathy in their great bereavement
and sorrow, and say that while we shall see his face no
more, his life and example will ever remain to stimulate
and bind us more closely together in the ties of our com-
mon brotherhood.
Resolved, that our lodge be draped in mourning for thirty
days, and that a copy of these resolutions be placed on our
records, and a copy be sent to the family of the deceased."
Levi N. mar. Ruth W. Hall of Hawley, May, 1841. Was
chosen one of the Selectmen in 1849, and held the office
twenty-two years; longer that any other person in the his-
tory of the town. He was for the greater part of the time,
Chairman of the board. Was chosen a member of the
School Committee in 1841, and held the office nineteen
years. Represented the town in the legislature in 1854,
and the district in 1864. Has for the last ten years resided
in Florence, Mass. Children of Levi N. and Ruth were
George L., born July 28, 1846; Ruth Florence, Dec. 25,
1850. Ruth, wife of Levi N., deceased Feb. 3, 1851. For
a second wife, mar. Rachel Whitmarsh, Nov. 24, 1852.
Children. Herbert S., born Nov. 3, 1857; Louis L., Aug.
30, 1859; Addie C, Feb. 29, 1864.
George L. mar. Laura E. Warner, daughter of William,
Nov. 27, 1867. Reside in Northampton. Florence cares
-^r
JOHN CAMPBELL. 133
for her father, his wife having deceased in January, 1887.
Herbert S. mar. Minnie B. Howes, June 10, 1879. Re-
side in Northampton. Children: Harry N., born June
8, 1880; Cherie M., Sept. 4, 1889.
Louis L. mar. Margie W. Stockwell of Northampton. She
deceased in a year or two after their marriage, and in 1890
he mar. Alice S. Spear, also of Northampton. In February,
1877, he became clerk in the Northampton Post Office,
under Postmaster Joy. He remained as clerk and Asst.
P. M. for about five years, when he was appointed to a
position in the railway mail service, and April 1, 1882,
went on duty on the route from Palmer, Mass. to Brattle-
boro', Vt. In Jan., 1883, he was transferred to the line
between Boston and New York, via Springfield. Was
gradually promoted to higher grades and in May, 1889,
was appointed "clerk in charge" of a crew of twelve
clerks. This line is considered one of the heaviest in the
country, and three postal cars are required on the night
trains. He resigned this position in August, 1890, to ac-
cept the appointment of Postmaster of Northampton,
which office he now holds. During his service as railway
postal clerk, he was called upon for twenty-four examina-
tions, each consisting of from 500 to 1000 questions. In
fifteen of these he passed 100 per cent., and in the other
nine he stood above 99 per cent. As postmaster, he is
most thorough and efficient, and has made several import-
ant improvements in the service.
Addie C. mar. Chas. Huxley of Florence, in 1888, in
which place they now reside.
Clarissa M., daughter of Levi, mar. Thos. D. Clark of
Hawley, June 29, 1842.
Joseph L. mar. Adeline C. Eldridge of Hawley, May,
134 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
1851. They had one or two children who died in infancy.
She deceased, and he married for a second wife, Augusta
Eldridge, a sister of the first. They have one daughter,
Mary. Reside in Florence, Mass. He was for several
years, while in Easthampton, a Deputy Sheriff under Maj.
Longley.
3. Edmund, son of John, mar. Nancy Shaw, daughter
of Josiah 1st, May 23, 1817. Had one son, Josiah Dwight,
born Oct. 30, 1818, and two who died in infancy. He mar.
Lucy Adams of Chicopee. Had one daughter, Lizzie S.,
born Dec. 23, 1844, died Oct. 24, 18(51. J. Dwight died
Feb. 17, 1849.
4. Sally, daughter of John, mar. William Joy, March,
1810.
5. Amasa mar. Sally Bester, Oct. 14, 1813. Children:
Emily B., born Sept. 26, 1815; John T., Feb. 12, 1818;
Betsey P., June 1820; Sally M., May 23, 1822.
6. Betsey, daughter of John, mar. Watson Pool of
South Hadley, Dec. 5, 1822.
ABRAM CLARK.
Abram Clark was born in Attleboro', Mass., in 1751.
Settled in Plainfield not far from 1783, on the farm where
L. K. Thayer now lives. His wife was Silence Gloyd, from
Abington. He died Nov. 24, 1834. Children : Susanna,
born Oct. 19, 1782; Polly, Aug. 5, 1784; Betsey, April 15,
1786; James, Nov. 29, 1787; Lydia, Sept. 4, 1789, died June
7, 1S90; Elijah, May 4, 1791; Samuel, Nov. 28, 1792; Abram,
Jr., Feb. 22, 1796; Silence, July 2, 1801, died Jan. 13, 1808.
1. Susanna mar. Asa Thayer, Dec. 2, 1804, died March
5, 1870.
ABRAM CLARK. 135
2. Polly mar. John Shaw, Jr., Oct. 24, 1802, died April
20, 1808.
3. Betsey mar. Reuben Kingman of Goshen, March 18,
1808.
4. James mar. Zeruah Bigelow of Cummington, March,
1S08. Children: Mary Ann, born July 17, 1810, and prob-
ably others. He removed from town soon after his marri-
age and became a minister of the Baptist denomination.
His wife deceased and he returned to Plainfield when over
70 years old. At the age of 74 he married Hannah Gur-
ney, (widow of Joseph Gurney and previously of Beza
Reed, maiden name Stockwell.) He preached for the
Baptist Society for a short time, being their last regular
minister, and died July 5, 18(58.
5. Elijah mar. Waity Jenks of Cheshire. She died
Jan. 17, 1850, and he married for a second wife, Lucretia
Lyman of Hadley. July, 1851. He represented the town
in the legislature in 1835 and 1836, and was for many years
a Justice of the Peace. Died in West Cummington about
1884. Children of Elijah and Waity were John, born Dec.
26, 1813; Minerva, Feb. 4, 1816; Samantha, Oct. 7, 1818;
Lewis, Dec. 13, 1822; Elijah Alden, May 12, 1827; James
Dwight, July 6, 1830. John mar. Hannah Jones, Dec.
1834, and removed from town.
Samantha mar. Alden W. Mason, Nov. 30, 1837.
Elijah A. mar. Loraine F. Warner, Oct. 30, 1840. Chil-
dren: Willis A., born Nov., 1850; George W., Aug. 1,
1854. — Loraine F., wife of Elijah A., died Oct. 18, 1854.
He married for a second wife, Hannah L. Lyman, Dec. 3,
1856. Their children were Chas. L., born Oct. 2, 1857:
Alice L., Oct. 25, 1861.
James Dwight mar. Flora Stevens. Sept. 26, 1851, died
136 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
Feb. 1, 185G. They had one child, Flora Ellen, born May
28, 1853.
6. Samuel mar. Lucy Sheldon. Children: Lorinda,
born Nov. 17, 1816; Parthena R., Nov. 16, 1819; Polly,
Dec. 11, 1821; Samuel Sheldon, Dec. 22, 1823; Eliza Ann,
Sept. 19, 1826.
JACOB CLARK.
Jacob Clark was born in Abington, Mass., in 1755.
Served in the Revolutionary war and came to Plainfield
in 17S3. He mar. Susanna Jones, sister of Jacob. They
lived on the farm since occupied by his son Chester, where
H. H. Fenton now lives. Died July 16, 1832. Children:
Hannah, born March 1, 1783: Sarah, Nov. 27, 1784 ; Re-
bekah, Jan. 17, 1787; Mary, July 9, 1789; David, March
13, 1792, died March 13, 1796; Jacob, Jr., Sept. 22, 1794;
Lucy, Sept. 22, 1797: Nancy, Oct. 4, 1799; Levi, Dec. 30,
1802; Chester, May 4, 1805; Alanson, May 14, 1807.
1. Hannah died Nov. 27, 1830.
2. Sarah died March 7, 1813.
3. Rebekah mar. Daniel Coe of Durham, N. Y., Feb.
17, 1822.
4. Mary mar. Rev. James Jewell of Durham, N. Y.,
July 1, 1816.
5. Jacob, Jr., remained in town and was engaged in
woolen manufacturing and trade. He never married.
Was chosen Town Clerk in 1841, and served three years.
Died Feb. 16, 1848.
6. Lucy died May 12, 1828.
7. Nancy died July 7, 1803.
8. Levi mar. Electa Joy, daughter of Joseph, Oct. 2,
1828. Both are still living in town. He kept store for
JACOB CLARK. 137
some years in company with his brother Jacob, until his
death, when he conducted the business alone for seven or
eight years. He was Postmaster some four years, and had
charge of the office about eight years. Was chosen Town
Clerk in 1848, and held the office five years. Children:
Mary J., born May 9, 1830, mar. Win. H. Dyer, May 18,
1854; Charles C, born Dec. 12, 1836. He has not married
yet.
9. Chester mar. Minerva Jones, daughter of Jacob,
Dec. 1, 1831, and remained on the old homestead, died
March 18, 1885. Children: Seth W., born Sept. 22, 1833;
Elizabeth S., Sept. 19, 1842. Seth W. mar. Nancy W.
Jones, Sept. 3, 1855. They lived for some years after their
marriage in Brooklyn, N. Y., but returned to Plainfield
about 1862, where they have since resided. He was chosen
one of the Selectmen in 1873, and has served six years in
all, being Chairman for several years. Has served 13
years as one of the School Committee, being elected to that
office in 1863. He is at present, president of the Cumming-
ton Creamery Association, an office which he has held
since the formation of company. Was chosen deacon of
the Cong. Church, March 3, 1877. Children : Nellie M. ,
born in 1857; Fred D., 1860, both born in Brooklyn, N. Y. ;
Henry D., born Oct. 26, 1865; Alice C, May 8, 1868; Ma-
rian N., June 2, 1870 ; Frank S., June 27, 1873, died Jan.
28, 1875.
Nellie M. mar. Arthur R. Tirrell, Nov. 27, 1879.
Fred D. mar. C. Helen Gurney of Cummington, June
23, 1885. Children: Etha Helen, born June 23, 1886.
10. Alanson never married. Was by trade a tailor,
and lived in the family of his brother Chester. Died Oct.
10, 1883.
138 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
ANDREW COOK.
Andrew Cook was born in 1737. Was one of tlie very
earliest settlers, having come here previous to 1774. He
lived on the place since occupied by Horace Daniels, east
of Dea. S. W. Clark's; died March 6, 1814 Children:
Hannah, born Oct. 6, 1771; John, Oct. 18, 1770. These
two were, so far as known, the first of each sex born in the
present town limits. They both died in infancy or early
childhood. His other children were John 2d, born Oct.
27, 1778; Joseph, Feb. 1, 1781: Hannah 2d, Nov. 13, 1783.
He also had daughters, Sarah, Lois and Amy, whose names
do not a.ppear on the town records.
1. John mar. Susanna Gurney, Sept. 15, 1796. He was
by trade a carpenter and builder and many of the oldest
houses now standing were built by him, as well as others
of later construction. Children: Thomas, born May 23,
1801; Edson, May 27, 1803; James, March 29, 1805; Ros-
well, July 9, 1811; Benjamin F., March 25, 1815; John
Jackson, Sept. 2-4, 1817, besides three daughters who died
in childhood. — Thomas mar. Rachel Gurney of Ashfield,
Jan. 1824, and settled in Cummington. Died April 10,
1850. Children: Elmira and Elvira, twins, mar. John
Snow and Alonzo Eldridge; Henry W., mar. Selina Shaw;
Sarah D. ; Rachel, mar. Ansel B. Cole, Feb., 1S50; Lovina
and Martin L. Martin was a member of the 52d Mass.
Reg't in the late war, and died Sept. 8, 1803, aged 27. — Ed-
son mar. Esther Abel of Goshen, Feb., 1824. Died sud-
denly while crossing the field between Jared Dyer's house
and the village, Feb. 5, 1858. He had been dead some
hours when discovered. Children: Maria E., born Feb.
15, 1825; James Edward, Sept. 9, 1820; Edson, Jr., April
8, 1831; Alfred E., May 10, 1839; Susan E., May 27, 1844.
ANDREW COOK. 139
James Cook mar. Susan Joy, daughter of Isaac, Jr. , Jan.
24, 1833. They lived on the homestead formerly occupied
by Joseph Beals, the " Mountain Miller." Died Oct. 21,
1881. Children: Harriet, born Oct. 27, 1833; Andrew S.,
July 31, 1837; Nelson W., March 29, 1840; Franklin, June
30, 1843.— Harriet mar. C. Wells Smith of Worthington,
June 18, 1851. — Andrew S. mar. Addie M. Livermore of
Peru, Dec. 18(52. They reside in Springfield, Mass. — Nel-
son W. mar. Mary E. Davison, Nov. 2, 18G4. They live
on the old homestead, which he has greatly improved; his
mother, aged 88, living with them. Was a member of the
37th Mass. Reg't in the late war. — Franklin entered the
army and died in the service at Beaufort, N. C, June
20, 18G3. James and his son Nelson W. were both carpen-
ters. It was the family trade.
Roswell mar. Elsie Thayer, Aug. 19, 1830, died March
27, 1881. Children: Laura A., born Feb. 10, 1831; John
F., June 12, 1835; Royal, Dec. 25, 1837; and Flora.
Benj. F. mar. Abigail Bates, Oct. 11, 183(5, died Aug. 31,
1842. Children: Martha and Jared Allen.
John Jackson mar. Irene Rice of Hawley. Children:
Mary, Joseph, William and Adrian. — The wife of John,
son of Andrew, died Sept. 18, 1836. For a second wife he
married Hannah Packard, daughter of Caleb Packard of
Ashfield, May 30, 1838. He died July 9, 1849.
2. Joseph mar. Sally Joy, Sept. 19, 1799. Children:
Levi, Jason, Laura, Clarissa, Electa and Bennett.
3. Hannah, daughter of Andrew, mar. Jacob Gardner,
Jr., Feb. 20, 180(5.
JESSE DYER.
We quote the following from Hobart's History of Ab-
ington : — "The name Dyer was doubtless originally given
140 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
to designate some individual by his occupation. It occurs
in English records as early as 1436, and I know not how
much earlier. The Dyers were of English origin: the
name occurs in the Yorkshire pedigrees. George Dyer of
Dorchester came over in the " Mary and John," May, 1630.
William Dyer petitioned to be made a freeman, in Wey-
mouth, in 1635 or 1636. He removed to Rhode Island in
1638. From him the Dyers of that state are descended.
The Dyers of Connecticut sprung from John and Thomas,
who settled in Windham county. They were sons of
Thomas Dyer of Weymouth, who is supposed to have set-
tled there about 1632. The coat-of-arms of the Dyer family
was a plain shield, surmounted by a wolf's head, as appears
from a tombstone in the burying ground on Copp's Hill,
Boston. I find the name very often occurs among the
tradesmen and mechanics of England, and is abundant in
the Post Office Directory of London. There are many of
the name in Maine, descendants of Asa (brother of Jesse)
and also on the Cape, descended from the same original
stock."
Although Jesse Dyer lived just over the line in Ashfield,
quite a portion of his farm was in Plainfield, he attended
church there, his sons all settled there, and he himself in
his last years removed there. He was born in Abington,
Mass., in 1769. His father and grandfather were named
Christopher. He came to Ashfield soon after 1790, and
settled on the farm where Benjamin M. Dyer now lives.
This, like the rest of the town, was heavily covered with
woods. He cleared a few acres, built a small house and a
barn, and married Sally Pool, daughter of Dea. Samuel
Pool, Oct. 4, 1795. Children: Jared, born Nov. 1, 1796;
Oakes, Feb. 22, 1799; Bela, May 24, 1S02; Albert, June 25,
JESSE DYER. 141
1807; Sarah, about 1810; Samuel, July 23, 1813; Newell,
Jan. 23, 1818, and one who died in infancy in 1805.
1. Jared mar. Olive Pool, daughter of Benjamin, Oct.
14, 1824. Lived where O. C. Burt now lives; died Feb.
25, 1874. Children: Wm. H., born Sept. 13, 1825; Betsey
Ann, June 21, 1827, died Aug. 22, 1828; Edwin J., June 3,
1829; Emily G., Oct. 14, 1834; Alfred T., July 19, 1839.
Wm. H. mar. Mary J. Clark, May 18, 1854.— Edwin J.
mar. Marion Cole, May 4, 1853; died Jan. 2, 1882.— Emily
G. mar. J. Morton Barber, Oct. 11, 1857. Have for many
years lived in Pittsfield, Mass., Mr. Barber having been
employed for more than 25 years by Rice, Robbins & Co.
— Alfred T. mar. Emily M. Stowell of Hinsdale, Mass..
July 3, 1864. She deceased Aug. 21, 1866, and he married
for a second wife Emily C. Wentworth of Hinsdale, March
20, 1867. Has been for a number of years overseer of the
extensive farm of W. H. Milton at Pittsfield, Mass.
2. Oakes mar. Electa Stoddard Nov., 1824. They lived
on the place originally occupied by Thomas Shaw, just
below the Jared Dyer place. About 1855 he bought the
Dr. Porter house, which stood on the corner south of the
" Brick store," and removed it to his place. As soon as it
was ready to occupy, the brick house in which he at first
lived, was torn down. No buildings now remain on the
place except a barn. Children: Electa S., born Jan. 26,
1826; Spencer O., Oct. 4, 1827; Lewis S., Jan. 4, 1829; An-
geline M., Oct. 4. 1831; Julia M., Feb. 19, 1842.— Electa
mar. Francis K. Cottrell, Oct. 20, 1852, died Oct. 11, 1862.
— Spencer O. mar. Elizabeth A. Ely of Westfield, Mass.,
Aug., 1855. Studied for the ministry and after preaching
for Congregational churches for a few years, he joined the
Methodist denomination, under which he preached until
142 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELt).
quite recently. He is now, or has quite recently been
teaching in the High schools near Boston. — Lewis S. mar.
Mary L. Porter of Hatfield, March, 1853. Has resided in
Hatfield, Mass., since his marriage. — Angeline mar. Geo.
W. Cottrell of Worthington, May, 1854. Went to live in
Middlefield.— Julia died in Middlefield, Dec. 5, 1883. She
was unmarried. Electa, first wife of Oakes, died March
4, 1842, aged 41. For a second wife he married Mrs. Nabby
V. Taylor of Hawley, widow of Zebulon Taylor, March,
1844. She died Nov. 27, 1846, aged 48. For a third wife
he married Mary Ford of Windsor, Aug., 1850. She died
April 8, 1858, aged 56. He died in Middlefield, Jan. 28,
1877.
3. Bela mar. Deborah White, daughter of Samuel,
in 1824. They settled on the farm where John F.
Cook lives. Children: Mary Ann, born Feb. 28, 1825;
Marantha, May 28, 1827. His wife died Nov. 16, 1828.
For a second wife he married Ruth Ranney of Ashfield,
Dec. 22, 1830. Children: Charles B., born 1832, died
March 8, 1834, being choked by a piece of apple lodged in
his windpipe; Newell 2d, born Feb. 27, 1835; Newcomb,
Jan. 15, 1837. Both served in the Union army in the late
war, Newell in the 31st Mass., Newcomb in the 46th. — Mary
Ann mar. Jonathan Brackett, Feb. 29, 1850. They lived
in Searsburg, Vt. for some years, where Mr. Brackett con-
ducted a tannery. They removed toSchroon Lake, N. Y.,
where he died Feb. 2, 1884. She married Wm. Henry
Packard of this town Oct. 26, 1887, and now resides here.
Marantha mar. Sylvester S. Hall, Nov. 18, 1847. They
lived in Hawley and Conway and finally in Williamsburg,
where he died, July 5, 1868. She married Rev. Wakefield
Gale of Easthampton, Aug. 31, 1879. He deceased Oct.
2, 1881. She now resides with her son in Iowa.
JESSE DYEfl. 143
Newell 2d, mar. Marion Granger Jan. 1, 1863. She died
Oct. 8, the same year. Had one daughter, Nettie A., born
Sept. 30, 1863; deceased. For a second wife he married
Ellen Joy of Peru, Oct., 1866. She died Nov. 14, 1881.
Children: Frank B., born Feb. 17, 1868; Adelbert N.,
April 13, 1877. For a third wife he married Rose Thayer
of Hawley, in which town they now reside. Frank B.,
son of Newell 2d, while laboring under a fit of temporary
insanity, shot himself through the head with a revolver,
near Amity, Mo., in 1889, at which place he had just ar-
rived on a visit to relatives. He died instantly.
Newcomb mar. Julia A. Thayer, Feb. 4, 1864. She died
Aug. 1, 1867. Children: Fordyce N., born April 28, 1865;
Alden M., July 30, 1867. He married for a second wife,
Harriet E. Thayer, Aug. 30, 1868. They removed to
DeKalb Co. (near Amity) Missouri, where they have rear-
ed a large family and still reside.
Ruth, second wife of Bela, died Sept. (i, 1863, aged 57.
He for a third wife married Mary Nash of Madison, Ohio,
widow of Vinson Nash, and sister of his first wife, June 2,
1865. In the spring of 186!) he removed to North Madison,
O., where he died, Aug. 19, 1878. While most of the Dyer
brothers were what might be called " original characters,"
Bela was perhaps the most widely known, and will be more
generally remembered than any other. He was a very
fluent talker, and a great story teller. Although a man of
truth in all ordinary matters, he had a well known habit
of exaggerating a story, which was highly amusing to his
listeners. Rev. Moses Hallock once mildly remonstrated
with him. " I know it," said Uncle Bela, with tears in his
eyes, touched by the kind reproof, " I know it, and I've
shed hogsheads of tears over it." His stories must have
144 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
been heard from his Hps in order to be fully appreciated.
The roll of his eye, the clip of one hand over the other, his
solemn manner at the close, as though he was testifying
in court under oath, and his gestures, can not be re-pro-
duced. A few of his stories I will endeavor to write out.
A GREAT SLAUGHTER.
The house where he lived soon after his first marri-
age was infested with rats. A room in the second story
was used for storing corn. The rats had effected an en-
trance at one corner, and were making sad havoc with it.
their excursions being of course mainly at night. Uncle
Bela determined to have their blood: so he arranged a
swinging cover to the rat hole with strings connected
which he carried through small holes in the ceiling over
the head of his bed in the room underneath, so that he
could grasp them and open or close the hole as he wished.
At night when he retired he pulled a string and left the
hole open. About midnight he was awakened by the noise
of a small army of rats in the room overhead. He closed
the hole by the string, rose, partially dressed, and taking
a convenient club and a candle ascended to the chamber,
where the rats were holding carnival, and closing the
door he valiantly attacked his foes, nor stayed his hand till
every rat had bit the dust. He then opened the hole and
returned to bed, where, wearied with his efforts, he soon
fell asleep. About 2 A. M. he was again awakened by the
noise of another detachment of rats rolling the ears of
corn overhead. He quickly closed the aperture, rose, again
ascended the stairs, and the first scene was repeated. As
he closed the door and again descended to bed, he was re-
JESSE DYER. 145
minded of Samson's slaughter of the Philistines. " In the
morning," said he. "I thought I'd go and pick up the
dead rats, so I took a bushel basket and went up and as I
was a pickin' on 'em up I thought I'd count 'em. So I
done so, an' ther was four hundred and fifty.'' I have
learned from Mr. Levi Clark who lived neighbor to him
at the time, that the main points in the story are true, but
he had increased the original number at least ten-fold.
A SLIPPERY TIME.
He was often called to serve on a jury and at one time
in the winter when he was attending court there came a
rain storm which froze as it fell, covering everything with
glare ice. Said he, " I came out o' the court house and
down the steps a leetle ahead o' the other jurymen. I had
taken a few steps on the sidewalk when my heels went
Zip ! and I went down. I rolled my eye 'round behind
me to see if anybody had seen me fall, and behold ! every
one of the other eleven jurymen sat flat on the sidewalk in
a row, one behind 'tother. "
HE HAD STRONG LUNGS.
" Talkin' about light snows," said Uncle Bela, taking a
huge chew of fine cut, "one night in the winter about
twenty years ago I went to bed as usual. The stars shone
bright and a clearer night I never saw. When I got up in
the morning it was still clear as a bell, but on going to the
door I found there had four feet of snow fallen in the
night. I see 'twas pretty light, so I put my head down
and blew one puff. It blew a hole clean to the ground.
The whole on't, if 'twas well squeezed down, wouldn't
made a half a 71 inch."
10
140 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
DURABLE TIMBER.
A neighbor was about new-silling his barn. Said Uncle
Bela, " Why don't you get a red beech? It will last five
hundred years. I've tried it twice."
A CORRECT TIMEPIECE.
He had an old-fashioned tall clock which he set great
store by. Said he, "That clock will run nine hundred
years and not vary the thickness of a case knife."
TRULY DEPLORABLE.
In speaking of the deplorable condition of the heathen
in a certain country, he said, " They eat old shoes; don't
know whether they've got a maker above or below."
4. Albert mar. Mary Beals, daughter of Dea. Robert
and grand -daughter of the "Mountain Miller," Dec. 3,
1835. They settled where Sumner Burt now lives in the
east part of the town. About the time of Dea. Robert
Beals' death they removed to his house and cared for his
widow until her death and made their permanent residence
there. He was chosen one of the School Committee in
1840 and served thirteen years. Also chosen Selectman the
same year, and served four years. Was appointed Justice of
the Peace as early as I860, and held the office until his
death, which occurred July 16, 1883. His widow still re-
tains the old homestead which was occupied by her father,
spending the summer there and the remainder of the year
with her daughter in Conway . Their children were Flora
A., born Feb. 26, 1838, died Sept. 7, 1855; Mary F. and
Fordyce A., twins, born Nov. 8, 1840. Mary was a suc-
cessful teacher in this and other towns. Married W. D.
Jesse bYEii. 147
Sanderson of Conway, Dec. 9, 1875. He died a few years
since. She and her children still reside in Conway.
Fordyce entered Williams college in 1861, but left before
graduating to enter the army, where (as related elsewhere)
he died Oct. 26, 1864.
5. Sarah mar. Ebenezer Crosby of Hawley, June 13,
1833. They removed to Wisconsin where she died in 1848,
leaving several children.
6. Samuel mar. Mrs. Martha Hamlen Cole of Worth-
ington, June, 1837. Lived where C. N. Holden now lives.
Served as Selectman in 1855, and School Committee in
1848; died April 9, 1883. Children: Alden H., born June
19, 1839; Augusta M., May 19, 1841; Erne G., July 15,
1850.— Alden mar. Nancy L. Barber, Dec. 29, 1861. He
entered the army in 1862 and died in the service at New-
bern, N. C, Jan. 19, 1863.— Erne mar. Chas. N. Holden of
Hawley, May 4, 1872. They reside on the old homestead
of Samuel Dyer, her sister Augusta living with them.
7. Newell, youngest son of Jesse, mar. Mary Ann
Whitmarsh, May 24, 1842. Remained with his parents
caring for them until their death; his mother dying March
24, 1852, aged 73, and his father July 13, 1854, aged 85.
Lived on the old place until 1847, when he purchased the
Dea. James Richards farm, and removed thither, where
he remained eight years. In 1856 he removed to the vil-
lage. His wife died May 2, 1866. For a second wife
he married Mrs. Lydia L. Sears, widow of Wm. H. Sears
of Ashfield, Oct. 17, 1866. He deceased Feb. 23, 1872.
Had one son, Charles N., born Jan. 7, 1850. Was chosen
Town Clerk and Treasurer in 1876, which offices he has
held until the present time. Was chosen a member of the
School Committee in 1872, served ten years and is at pres-
148 HISTORY OF PLAlNFlELD.
ent a member of the board. Appointed a Justice of the
Peace in 1884, and Postmaster in 1889. Married M. An-
toinette Ford of Peru, Oct. «, 1872. Children: Albert F.,
born Aug. 2, 1873; L. Genevieve, June 7. 1880; Charles
Frederick. Aug. 10. 1882.
JOSEPH GLOYD.
Joseph Gloyd was born in Abington, Mass., in 1703.
Served a short time in the Revolutionary army, and set-
tled here about 1790. Married Abigail Garnett of this
town, Dec. 6, 1792. and settled on the place where his son
Bethuel now lives. Died July 15, 1842. His brothers,
Benjamin and Ephraim, settled here about the same time.
All were physically, large heavy men. Benjamin. Sr. at
his death weighed about 300 lbs. It is related that it was
found necessary to widen the doorway by removing the
casing from one side, in order to take the coffin from the
house decently at the time of his funeral. Children of Jo-
seph were Levi, born Aug. 24, 1793: Betsey, Nov. 27. 1797:
Lovisa. April 29, 1800; Albina, May 3, 1803; Joseph, Jr.,
May 29, 180«; Bethuel, Sept. 13, 1809.
1. Levi mar. Wealthy Bates of Hawley, June, 1810,
died Aug. 29, 1.S19. Had one son, Charles Lewis, born
Dec. 20, 1819.
2. Betsey mar. Ahaz Robbinsof Cummington, June 20,
1817.
3. Lovisa mar. James Snow of Cummington, May,
1821.
4. Albina mar. Norman White, June 20. 1821.
5. Joseph Jr.. mar. Annis Thayer, Sept. 17, 1829, died
Dec. 19, 1880. Children: Albina, born April 7, 1831; Hul-
dah, June 24. 1834, died Oct. 1, 1841; Joseph O., Oct. 14.
MOSES HALLOCK. 149
1840. Albina mar. Samuel F. Bartlett of Cummington,
(second wife) Dec. 7. 1805.— Joseph O. mar. Lucy L. Allen
of Windsor, Dec. 24. 1807. Children: Edwin S., born Nov.
11, 1809; Alida L., Aug. 14, 1871. died in infancy: Lucy
A.. Dec. 8, 1875; Joseph A., Oct. 28, 1877: Mary A.. July
7. 1879; Albert 0., July It;. 1887.— Edwin S. mar. Emma
A. Gardner, Nov. 10, 1890,
0. Bethuel mar. Sarah Stock well, Dec. 8, 1831. Had
one son, Levi W., born Feb. 28. 1833. Married Mary J.
Stowell of Hinsdale, Mass., Sept. 15, 1809. No children.
Was chosen one of the Selectmen in 1883. and served live
years. Sarah, wife of Bethuel, died Nov. 12, 1851. For a
second wife he married Mrs. Julia A. M. Joy, widow of
Charles Joy. May o. 1852. They reside on the homestead
where his father Joseph lived.
MOSES HALLOCK.
Rev. Moses Hallock was a grandson of Noah Hallock,
born 1090, and died 1773. His son William was born 1730,
and died Oct. 21. 1815. He had two sons, Jeremiah and
Moses, and at least six daughters, one of whom, Esther,
married Rev. Josiah Hayden, and was the mother of Jo-
siah Jr. and Hon. Joel Hayden of Williamsburg, Mass.
Moses was born in Brookhaven. L. I., Feb. Hi, 1700. In-
stalled over the Plainfield church in 1702. Married Mar-
garet Allen, who was born at Chilmark, Martha's Vine-
yard, March 22, 1760, and died Dec. 29, 1835. The follow-
ing is an extract from a letter from Mr. Hallock to his ab-
sent sons, informing them of the death of their mother:
" Plainfield, Dec. 30, 1835. My dear sons and daughters:
Yesterday, about half-past eleven, your mother died. But
it seemed more like quiet sleep than death. A fortnight
150 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
ago to-day she suddenly became speechless and helpless.
Martha and I laid her on the bed. Dr. Shaw came very
soon, and said it was a shock of paralysis. He visited her
daily, and Mrs. Arnold Streeter and Mrs. Salem Streeter
kindly assisted day and night in the care of her till she
died. She had her reason almost or quite till the last."
A short time before his death he committed to the flames
all his manuscripts except a few which he might still wish
to use; and when his only daughter, who was the solace of
his declining years, seconding the desire of her brothers,
requested that he would prepare at least an outline of the
facts of his history, he replied, " No, Martha; the absent
sons might wish to see it, but there is nothing remarkable
about me." He died most peacefully, as befitted his peace-
ful life, on the evening of July 17, 1837. On the second
day after his death, his funeral took place, the sermon be-
ing preached by Rev. Dr. Theophilus Packard of Shel-
burne. Of the bereaved church, only one who was a mem-
ber at the time of his installation, survived him, the ven-
erable Deacon James Richards. As the face of the aged
pastor was uncovered that the people might approach and
take their final leave until the resurrection, the aged dea-
con, now entirely blind, was led to the coffin, placed his
hand gently on the forehead of him with whom he had for
forty-five years shared the burden and heat of the gospel
day, and stood, pouring out a flood of tears, till constrained
to retire, he turned away, saying, " Farewell for time."
Mention has already been made of the classical school
taught by Mr. Hallock in his dwelling-house in Chap. IV
of this work. In the records of Williams College it is
said that for a long time in the early struggles of that in-
stitution, the question of how many students were to enter
MOSES HALLOCK. 151
at the beginning of each college year depended in a great
measure upon the number Mr. Hallock could furnish.
Half the class were not infrequently from his school. The
cost of board and tuition in this institution was one dollar
per week. Mrs. Martha J. Lamb, the eminent historian,
is our authority for these statements. It is a well authen-
ticated fact that John Brown of Harper's Ferry notoriety
was at one time a member of this school. Tradition says
that his ancestors lived in the neighboring town of Savoy.
The children of Moses Hallock were William A., born
June 2, 1794; Martha. Feb. 24, 1796; Leavitt, Jan. 21, 1798;
Gerard, March 18, 1800, and Homan.
1. William A. graduated at Williams in 1819, studied
divinity at Andover and while there was chosen agent,
and afterwards assistant secretary of the American Tract
Society, then located at Andover. Assisted in the forma-
tion of the same society at New York in 1825, and was
chosen the first corresponding secretary and general agent.
He held the office of secretary until his death, which oc-
curred some ten years since. He married Fanny Lathrop
and had two daughters, Harriet and Frances.
2. Martha never married. Died in Plainfield, May 22.
1852.
3. Leavitt settled in town, and married Elizabeth Snell
of Cummington, Aug., 1829. At this time, persons intend-
ing marriage, must, according to law, be "cried;" that is,
they must notify the town clerk of their intention at least
three weeks previous to the intended marriage. It was
then his duty to enter the same on the records, and each
Sabbath afterward, for three weeks in succession, when
the people were assembled at church, just before the open-
ing of service, he arose and gravely announced the same
152 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
to the congregation. The year of Leavitt's marriage he
was himself town clerk, and it became his embarrassing
duty to "Try" himself. He proved himself however equal
to the occasion, and when the Sabbath arrived and the
people were assembled, stood up and bravely announced,
•'Marriage intended, between Leavitt Hallock of Plain-
field and Elizabeth Snell of Cummington." He served as
town clerk two years, was commissioned a Justice of the
Peace in 1834, and represented the town in the Legislature
in 1849. He was also for some years Postmaster. He was
a very energetic man, of great business capacity. He
utilized the water privilege and established the settlement
just over Plainfield line in the town of Hawley, which still
bears his name. He erected several dams, commencing
about 1836, and established a large tannery there, saw-
mills, &c. He also erected and operated a store and board-
ing-house, doing a successful business until 184(3. when the
tannery was burned, Feb. 11. This was rebuilt in
1848 but never operated and the place in a few years
went to decay. He was instrumental in obtaining the
laying out and construction of several important new
roads. He was a very persistent man, not easily
daunted by obstacles, and rarely failed in what he un-
dertook. He erected the house and outbuildings and
made many handsome improvements on the place lately
owned by Dea. J. Barber, which he then owned and occu-
pied. About 1854 he removed to Amherst, Mass., where
he did quite a business in real estate. He died at the home
of his son, Leavitt H., in West Winsted, Conn., Oct. 16,
1875. His wife died Dec. 19, 1877, aged 74. Children:
Fanny and Eliza, twins, born May 12, 1830; William A.,
Aug. 27, 1832 ; Sarah, May 3, 1836, died Feb. 16, 1837;
LEAVITT RALLOCK.
AT 60.
MOSES HALLOCK. 153
Moses, born Nov., 1839, died Sept. 3, 1846; Leavitt H.,
Aug. 15, 1842. — Fanny mar. Rev. Henry M. Hazeltine
about 1855. — Eliza mar. • Thos. H. Rouse of Windsor,
Conn., Sept. 16, 1851.
William A. entered the ministry. Was pastor of the
church in Gilead, Conn. Afterwards preached in Kiantone
and other places in Chautauqua Co., N. Y. For twelve
years, from 1875 to 1887, had charge of the Cong. Church
in Bloomfield, Conn. He married Clara M. Hall of James-
town, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1860. Children: Nellie E., lately
graduated at Smith College, Northampton, and William
Hall, a graduate of Amherst- College; at present a member
of Berlin University, Berlin, Germany.
Leavitt H. also entered the ministry. Was for eleven
years pastor of the Cong. Church at West Winsted, Conn.
Six years pastor at Portland, Maine. Now pastor of the
First Cong. Church at Waterville, Me. Married Martie
B. Butler of Brooklyn, N. Y., June 11, 1867. She died
Oct. 2, 1873. Children: Lillian H. and Harry Butler.
Lillian studied at Wellesley College and is now teaching
High School at Hallowell, Me. Harry is in class of '93 at
Amherst College. — Leavitt H. married for a second wife
Nellie M. Webster of Portland, Oct. 3, 1888.
4. Gerard graduated at Williams College in 1819. En-
gaged in teaching for awhile but soon went to Boston
and started a newspaper called the "Boston Telegraph."
This after one year was merged in the Boston Recorder.
He continued to edit the united papers until 1826, when he
sold out his interest to Rev. Asa Rand, and removed to N.
Y. city, where he became one of the editors and proprie-
tors of the N. Y. Observer. He afterwards became editor
and proprietor of the Journal of Commerce, which he con-
154 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
ducted ably for nearly forty years. Later, having removed
his residence to New Haven, Conn., he paid nearly $30,-
000 out of a total expense of $35,000 incurred in building
the South Cong. Church and chapel in that city. — He mar-
ried Eliza Allen of Chilmark. Deceased Jan. 4, 1806. Had
two sons, Wm. Holmes, born Aug. 18, 1820, and Charles,
March 13, 1834.— Wm. H. mar. Julia Mack of Plainfield,
Sept. 3, 1851. Is at present assistant editor of the "Iron
Age." Both sons were connected with the Journal of
Commerce for many years in an editorial capacity. Charles
was connected with The " Forest and Stream " as editor
from 1873 to 1880, and is the author of a number of valu-
able works, among which are the following: " Fishing
Tourist," published in 1873; "Camp Life in Florida,"
1876; "Sportsman's Gazetteer," 1877; " Vacation Rambles
in Michigan," 1877; " Our New Alaska," a very interesting
work, 1886; "Salmon Fisher," 18!)0. He married Amelia
J. Wardell of Newark, N. J. Visits Plainfield nearly
every summer, usually remaining several weeks. He was
the founder of the town of Hallock, county-seat of Kittson
county, Minnesota, at present the most flourishing locality
in the Red River Valley. His portrait was received too
late to be indexed.
5. Homan, youngest son of Moses, in 1826 went as a
missionary printer to the island of Malta, in the Mediter-
ranean, and some years after to Smyrna. When the Ameri-
can Bible Society commenced the publication of the Arabic
Bible in New York, it is said that only two persons in the
world understood ' the manufacture of the Arabic type.
These were an aged German and Homan Hallock. About
this time he returned to Plainfield where with the assist-
ance of his son Samuel he carried on the manufacture of
t H.Wil.Ks HA l.l.i ><K.
JOHN HAMLEN. 155
the Arabic type. When after a few years the work was
transferred to Beyrout, Syria, Samuel went there also and
took the position which his father had occupied, and is
still engaged in that work.
Homan, in the course of his travels, became acquainted
with and married an English lady, Mrs. Elizabeth John-
son, a most estimable woman, who deceased Sept. 18, 1875,
aged seventy-six. They had five sons, Moses, Homan B. , Ge-
rard J., Samuel and Wm. A., and two daughters, Margaret
and Sarah. Margaret married Rev. T. L. Byington, May 30,
1858, and for more than twenty years they were mission-
aries among the Bulgarians and at Constantinople. Sarah
married Chas. C. Streeter, May 11, 1859. They reside in
Cummington. Her father, aged nearly ninety, makes his
home with them.
JOHN HAMLEN.
[The writer has been able by referring to the printed record of the Hamlen family,
compiled by the late Dea. Freeman Hamlen. and kindly loaned for the purpose by
his widow, Mrs. Martha Hamlen, to prepare a more complete history of this family
than of any other which he has attempted.]
The Ham lens are of French origin; they came to Eng-
land about 1080. James Hamblen' and his wife Anne emi-
grated to this country in 1640, and settled in Barnstable,
Mass. He died in 1690.
John 2 , son of James 1 , born in Barnstable, June 30, 1644,
married Sarah Bearse, August, 1667.
Benjamin', son of John' and Sarah, born in Barnstable,
Feb. 11, 1686, settled in Eastham, Mass., in 1716; married
for his second wife, Anna Mayo, great grand-daughter of
Gov. Prince.
Isaac 4 , son of Benjamin 3 and Anna, born in 17*28; mar-
ried Sarah Shaw of Abington.
156 HISTORY OF PLAINFLELD.
John', son of Isaac 4 and Sarah, born in Bridgewater.
Mass., Oct. 22. 1702: married Sally Towne.
The name of Hamlen has been variously written: often
Hamblen, and as often Ham//// and Ham/en.
In the year 1770. John Hamlen. then thirteen years old,
removed with his parents to Cunimington, three years be-
fore its incorporation as a town. At the age of sixteen he
entered the Revolutionary army and served about fix
months. He was at the time of his death the last of the
Revolutionary pensioners in Plainfield. He married Sally
Town (born in Sutton. Mass.) at Windsor. Mass.. 1790, and
settled in Plainfield the same year. He was by trade a
carpenter and several of the first houses were built by him
or under his supervision. The house which he built and
occupied on his homestead where E. A. Atkins now lives,
is still in good condition. In 1800 he was chosen one of
the selectmen and served for nineteen years. He represent-
ed the town in General Court at Boston in 1813, '14 and '15;
also in 1823 and 1820. He made the journey to Boston on
horseback, and during the May sessions turned his horse
out to pasture in the near vicinity, and at the end of the
session rode home again. Two other representatives were
at the time of their election living in the John Hamlen
house, viz. : his son Freeman and Edwin A. Atkins, the
present member from this town. His wife died Oct. 11, 1818,
aged forty-five. For a second wife he married Mrs. Doro-
thy Gove of Worthington, Nov. 10, 1819. She died Sept. 21,
18-47, aged sixty-nine. Although for many years in feeble
health he lacked but a few months of being ninety years of
age at his death, which occurred April 15, 1852. At the age
of seventy-five he publicly professed his faith in Christ as
a Savior, and united with the Plainfield church. He had
JOHN HAMLEN. 157
however for some years previously entertained a Christian
hope. Children of John and Sally Hamlen were John, Jr.,
born July 29, 1791, died Feb. 20, 1792; Orren, born Dec.
2, 1792; Reuben. May 19, 1795; Clarissa. July 5, 1797;
Nabby, Feb. 10, 1800; Lyman. Jan. U, 1803; Freeman,
May 8, 1805; Polly, Sept. 15, 1807; Horace, Aug. 23, 1810;
John, Jr., (2d) Dec. 3, 1814.
2. Orren died Sept. U, 1813.
3. Reuben settled in Plainfield and was five times mar-
ried. His first wife was Rhoda Richards. Married Feb.
15, 1816, died Dec. 29, 1820. — Second, Fanny Warner, mar.
April 17, 1828, died July 22, 1839.— Third, Elizabeth Jones,
mar. Nov. 3, 1839, died Dec. 11, 1851.— Fourth, Mrs. Eu-
nice, widow of Abram S. Tirrell, mar. Jan. 1, 1854, died
Jan. 1, 18U4.— Fifth, Mrs. Pamela Little of Shelburne
Falls, mar. Sept. 23, 1800. She survived him. He died at
Shelburne Falls. Mass., Dec. 28. 1860. Children of Reuben
and Rhoda were Marilla R., born June 4, 1817, died Oct.
7, 1837; Flora A., March 29, 1819, died June 12, 1840; Mar-
tha A., March 28, 1821; Shepard L., Feb. 14, 1823: Laura
B., April, 1825, died Oct. 14, 1820. Children of Reuben
and Fanny W. were Laura B., born April 27, 1829; Rosa-
mond W., June 1, 1831, died Aug. 29, 1844: Alfred W.,
June 17, 1834; Albert Wallace, March 13, 1839.— Martha
A. mar. Wm. C. Bissell of Twinsburg, O., March 19, 1855,
died Sept. 8, 1857. — Shepard L. mar. Elizabeth B. Valen-
tine of Cincinnati, Nov. 19, 1850, died May 0, 1800. — Laura
B. mar. James C. Bellman of Cincinnati, Dec. 22, 1853. —
Alfred W. mar. Harriet N. Stratton of Jeffersonville, Ind.,
Nov. 19, 1803, died June 0, 1872.— Albert Wallace mar.
Rachel Mercer of Princeton, 111., Oct. 27, 1870.— None of
Reuben's children settled in Plainfield.
158 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
4. Clarissa mar. Otis Pratt, Jan. 18, 1817, died Dec. 13,
1831.
5. Nabby mar. John Ford of Cummington, Sept. 3,
1818; died Sept. 29, 1833.
6. Lyman mar. Lucy Flint of West Bloomfield, N. Y.,
1826. Children: Sarah E., born May 20, 1827; Mary M.,
April 3, 1830; Amelia, March 29. 1833; Horace. June 8,
1835, died Feb. 8, 1839; Horatio B., Aug. 1, 1837: William
V., Aug. 29, 1840: Martha A., Feb. 2, 1843; Alice Flora.
June 25, 1846, died Jan. 25, 1854; Edwin C. Jan. 11. 1849,
died Nov. 14, 1865; Frederick B., July 31, 1853.— Sarah E.
mar. John C. Johns of West Bloomfield, N. Y., Sept. 7,
1848.— Mary M. mar. Russell Bradley, Nov. 13, 1854.—
Amelia mar. Wm. D. Quick, March 29, 1854. — Horatio B.
mar. Harriet Brown of Clarkston, Mich., Dec. 17. 1861.
— Martha A. mar. Dennis Collins of Clarkston, Mich., May
2, 1865. — Frederick B. mar. Lizzie Weeks of Pontiac, Mich.
7. Freeman mar. Clarissa Whiting, June 4. 1829. She
deceased Oct. 13, 1847. For a second wife he married Mar-
tha Taylor of Hawley, Nov. 30, 1848. Was chosen one of
the Selectmen in 1846 and served six years. Represented
the town in the Legislature in 1850 and 1851. In 1853 he
was chosen town clerk, an office which he held for twenty-
three years in succession, at the end of which time he de-
clined further service. During his term of service he in-
dexed all the town records of births, marriages, deaths and
intentions of marriage, which had not been done previous
to 1864, adding many that had been omitted, particularly
births, thus rendering the records of far greater value.
For this labor he asked no compensation. Was chosen
deacon of the Congregational church Aug. 30, 1844, serving
most acceptably until his resignation in 1867. He was also
JOHN HAMLEN. 159
for many years clerk of the church and compiled the last
church manual published in 1884. He and his brother
Reuben were for many years leaders of the church choir,
both having excellent voices. Freeman remained on the
old homestead until about 1855, when he removed to the
village. He died on the morning of Jan. 16, 1889, while
seated in the family sitting room. He had been in feeble
health for some time, and his death, though sudden, was
not wholly unexpected. He was a man of thorough hones-
ty and sound judgment, and was worthy of and reeeived
the confidence of the entire community. Humility, sin-
cerity and charity were marked features of his Christian
character. Truly, in many ways, " he being dead yet
speaketh." He had one child only, a son by his first wife,
Edward F, born June 6, 1842. He served as first Sergeant
in Co. I 52d Mass. in the war for the Union. Was for a
number of years after his return from the army in business
in Northampton. Is now employed at the State House,
Boston, as Executive Clerk for the Governor and Council,
a position which he has held for some fifteen years. He
married Helen A. Church of N. Y. City, June 9, 1868.
Franklin Church, son of Edward F. and Helen A., was
born in Boston, Sept. 19, 1876.
8. Polly mar. Mason Ames, May 12, 1830, died in Ches-
ter, Ohio, March 18, 1847.
9. Horace mar. Clarissa Bancroft of Granville, Ohio,
May 1, 1834. She deceased Aug. 8, 1875. For a second
wife he mar. Mrs. Lizzie Gavnen of Gratiot, Ohio, July
6, 1876. One son, Samuel B., born Feb. 20, 1835, mar.
Lydia Clark of Easthampton, Mass., Sept. 16, 1856.
10. John Jr. (2d) died in Granville, Ohio, Oct. 22, 1844.
1*50 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
JACOB JONES.
Jacob Jones, son of John and Ruth, was born in Wey-
mouth, Mass., Nov. 1770. His father died in 1800 and his
mother in 1814, aged seventy-four. He mar. Elizabeth Whi-
ton, sister of Maj. David Whiton, Nov. 27, 1800. They lived
on the farm now occupied by his grandson, William Jones.
Died Aug. 22, 1861. Children: Addison, born 1801, died
Oct. 4. 1832; Jacob Jr., born July ft, 1802; Merritt, Feb.
19, 1804; Elizabeth, Dec. 25, 1805; Nancy, Aug. 20, 1807;
Sarah, April 22, 1809; Minerva, July 15, 1811; Hannah,
Feb. 3, 1815.
2. Jacob Jr. mar. Lucy H. Howes of Ashfield, March,
1828. Died suddenly while at work Dec. 15, 1873. Chil-
dren: Mary Christina, born July 28, 1829; William, May
13, 1832; Nancy W., June 1, 1834; David, July 20, 1838,
died June 18, 1845; Samuel W., born Aug. 20, 1842.— M.
Christina mar. Ansel K. Bradford, Sept. 27, 1849. Reside
in Florence. Mass. — William mar. Caroline M. Field of
Windsor, Mass., March, 1856. One daughter, Anna M.,
born Oct. 9, 1868, mar. Frederic M. Rice of Ashfield,
April 13, 1887.— Nancy W. mar. Seth W. Clark, Sept. 3,
1855. — Samuel W. served in the civil war in the 46th Mass.
After his return from the army he removed to Lockport,
111., where he mar. Eliza Paddock, Dec. 25, 1867.
Children: Hattie, born Oct. 9, 1868, since deceased, and
William, born 1872.
3. Merritt mar. Celia Gardner, June 30, 1825. She
died May 22, 1845. For a second wife he mar. Mrs.
Chloe R. K. Ford, widow of William Ford, July 26, 1846.
Served as one of the Selectmen in 1863, died Dec. 30, 1884.
Children by his first wife, Rozelia M., born Aug. 31, 1830,
ISAAC JOY. 161
died July 24, 1840; Sarah A., born Feb. 22, 1842, died Oct.
7, 1857; also two others who died in infancy.
4. Elizabeth mar. Reuben Hamlen, (third wife) Nov.
3, 1830, died Dec. 11, 1851.
5. Nancy mar. Seth S. Williams of Ashfield, Oct. 5,
1820, and is the only surviving member of this family.
(i. Sarah mar. Samuel Williams of Ashfield, Oct.
24, 1833.
7. Minerva mar. Chester Clark, Dec. 1, 1831, died
July 22, 1885.
8. Hannah mar. John Clark, Dec, 1834.
ISAAC JOY.
Isaac Joy was a pioneer settler from Weymouth, Mass.
Lived a short distance south of where W. E. Shaw now
lives. He had the honor of serving the warrant calling
the first district meeting, it being directed to him as a
" principle inhabitant." Was chosen one of the Selectmen
in 1788, serving two years. His wife, Hannah, died March
4, 1707. For a second wife mar. Mrs. Hannah Hatha-
way of Adams, Oct., 1700. Died July 20, 1801. Chil-
dren: Isaac, Jr., born 1761; Joseph, 1703; Mary, who
mar. Ezekiel Eldred, and Hannah, who mar. John Tay-
lor of Hawley, Nov. 22, 1810. All these children were
born in Weymouth, Mass. — Isaac, Jr., mar. Ruth Tir-
rell, Dec, 1785, died March 5, 1843. Children: William,
born Dec. 23, 1780; Zenas, Jan. 20, 1700; Lucinda, Nov.
20, 1700; Alonzo, May 17, 1801: Susanna, (known as Susan)
Feb. 27, 1803; Harriet, Nov. 2, 1804; Isaac, (3d) June 0,
1815, and one who died in infancy. It is remarkable that
there was a difference of nearly twenty-eight and one-half
years in the ages of the oldest and youngest of this family.
11
162 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
1. William mar. Sally Campbell, March, 1810. Chil-
dren: Fordyce, born Sept. 19, 1811 ; Lydia, Feb. 4,
1814; Horace, Feb. 23, 1816; Rozina, May 22, 1818; Wil-
liam, Jr., Feb. 23, 1821; Edwin, June 7, 1823.
2. Zenas mar. Abigail Everett of Northampton. The
birth of one child only appears on the records, Lewis,
born Jan. 25, 1812.
3. Lucinda mar. Quartus Taylor.
4. Alonzo mar. Lois Kingman of Hawley. Children:
James T., Horatio and Julia A. His wife deceased,
and for a second he mar. Minerva Smith of Hawley.
Children: Caroline A., born Oct. 28, 1846, died Oct. 13,
1850; Emily, born Sept. 20, 1848, died Sept. 2, 1850 ; Wil-
liam F., born April 6, 1853. — James T. mar. Mary J.
Taylor, Feb. 24, 1853.— Julia A. mar. C. Thayer of
Hadley.
5. Susan mar. James Cook, Jan. 24, 1833.
6. Harriet mar. Abishur Nash, Jan. 11, 1827.
7. Isaac (3d) removed to Cambridgeport, Mass., where
he married and now resides.
Joseph Joy, son of Isaac 1st, mar. Molly Porter of Ab-
ington. She died Jan 19, 1826, aged sixty -five. For a second
wife he mar. Mrs. Mehitable Brown of Abington, Sept. 1829.
She died March 15, 1836, aged sixty-seven. He died Nov. 22,
1839. His children were Clarissa, born Feb. 21, 1788;
Leonard, March 14, 1790; James, Sept. 1, 1793; Polly, May
10, 1796; Merilla, Aug. 20, 1800; Electa, Feb. 11, 1803; and
one who died in infancy.
1. Clarissa mar. Levi Campbell, June 14, 1810, died
Dec. 26, 1856.
2. Leonard mar. Polly Warner, daughter of Abel, Nov.
19, 1811. Died Jan. 15, 1881. For some years kept the
ISAAC JOY. 1G3
hotel known as the "Hampshire House." Children : Lucre-
tia, born Aug 19, 1813, died March 17, 1818; Cordelia, born
May 27, 1815; Sarah M., March 28, 1817; Emeline and
Caroline, (twins) June 15, 1819; Francis W., May 13, 1822;
Charles, Oct. 16, 1824; Electa P., 1827; Lorenzo W., born
in Worthington, 1832. — Cordelia mar. Rush Gurney of
Cummington, second wife, about 1839. — Sarah M. mar.
John M. Crane of Washington, Mass., Sept. 19, 1838.
—Caroline mar. Jonas Holden of Hawley, May 10, 1841. —
Francis W. mar. Rachel Chapel of Washington, Mass.,
April, 1845, died Aug. 17, 1887. — Charles mar. Julia M.
Sanderson, Nov., 1848, died Aug. 12, 1850. — Electa P. mar.
Reuben Scott, Jr., of Hawley, June 3, 1847. — Lorenzo W.
mar. Delia R. Colburn, Jan., 1855.
3. James mar. Mary Whiton, June 10, 1818. Children:
Mary Ann P., born June 23, 1819; Amelia Antoinette,
Nov. 2, 1823; Clara H., May 30, 1830. Mary Ann mar.
Elisha Bassett, now Clerk of the U. S. District Court at
Boston, Sept. 5, 1843. — Antoinette mar. William Bassett,
April 2, 1845. They reside in Heath, Mass. — Clara H.
mar. Benj. F. Hallett of Boston, (second wife) Aug. 4,
1858. He was the senior member of the Hallett & Davis
Piano Company, and deceased several years since. Mrs.
Hallett now resides in Florence, Mass.
4. Polly mar. Verus Patrick, March 27, 1822.
5. Merilla mar. Dura Torrey, Dec. 4, 1821.
6. Electa mar. Levi Clark, Oct. 2, 1828, both of
whom are still living in town.
JACOB NASH.
Jacob Nash was born in Weymouth, Mass., in 17G0.
Served through the entire war of the Revolution, although
at the beginning only fifteen years of age, and came to
164 HISTORY OP PLAINFIELD.
Plainfield directly after the close of the war and settled on
the farm now occupied by Stephen Parsons. In 1788 he
mar. Joan Reade of Abington, whose English ancestors
came to America in the Mayflower. She died Sept. 8, 1849,
aged eighty-six. He died April 14, 1851. Their children
were Sybil, born Aug. 19, 1789; Arvin, Nov. 19, 1790;
Roxana, Aug. 22, 1792, died Jan. 20, 1868; Eunice, April
30, 1795; Mandana, Jan. 19, 1800. Sybil and Roxana never
married. — Arvin mar. Lucinda Vinton in 1813. Chil-
dren : Eunice V., Martha J., Spencer and Maria S. Eu-
nice and Spencer died in childhood.
Martha J. mar. Chas. A. Lamb, Sept. 8, 1852. She
has since become well known in the literary world. Among
her notable productions are "The History of the City of
New York," in two folio volumes, considered in many re-
spects the most remarkable city history ever written; " The
Homes of America," published by the Appletons in 1879;
" Memorial of Dr. J. D. Russ ; " " Wall Street in History,"
thirteen volumes for children, which have gone through
many editions ; "Spicy," a novel, celebrated for contain-
ing the best description extant of the great Chicago fire ;
her work on the coast survey used as a text book in some
of our colleges, and upwards of one hundred and fifty im-
portant historical and other papers in leading magazines.
Early in 1883 Mrs. Lamb was made editor-in-chief of the
" Magazine of American History," a position she still
holds (1891.) It has won the distinction of being one of
the best edited and best conducted magazines of its kind
in the world, and is in all the first-class public libraries of
the English speaking cities of three continents, a valued
authority in all leading literary circles. Mrs. Lamb's work
is of the highest character and is recognized as such among
JACOB NASH. 165
the most eminent scholars in all parts of the world. She
has been elected to membership in twenty-six historical
and learned societies in this country and Europe, — honors
never before conferred on any American woman. Her
residence for the past twenty-five years has been in New
York City.
Maria S. mar. J. S. Whitmarsh, (second wife) April
10, I860. Reside in Florence, Mass.
Arvin's wife having deceased he mar. for a second
Mrs. Dorothy Covell of Buckland. Children : James A.
and Mary L. — James A. mar. Mary A. Torrey, Sept.
16, 1860. He settled in town and has been for about
twenty-five years proprietor of the grist-mill standing near
the site of the old mill formerly owned by Dea. Joseph
Beals, "the Mountain Miller.'' Was chosen one of the
Selectmen in 1874, and served nine years, a part of the
time as chairman. Children : Elmer E.,born in Chicago;
Frank E., bom July 25, 1866; Charles A., Aug. 14, 1870 ;
Lewis S., Sept. 20, 1884. — Mary L. mar. John Baker
of Savoy. He recently deceased in Adams, Mass., where
his widow still resides. — Arvin Nash's second wife died in
1841, and he mar. Lucretia Pixley, Sept. 20, 1842. He
died July 12, 1860. — Eunice, daughter of Jacob, mar.
David Crittenden of Charlemont, Sept. 1, 1813. — Mandana,
daughter of Jacob, mar. Jacob Pratt, May 29, 1828,
and is now living in South Amherst, Mass., at the ad-
vanced age of 91.
BARNABAS PACKARD.
Barnabas Packard was born in Cummington in 1764,
his father's name being also Barnabas. He mar. Mary
Nash of Plainfield, July, 1789, and settled on the farm
1(3(3 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
wliere Thos. K. Wheeler lives, south of Orrin TirrelPs,
died April 30, 1847. Children : Achsah, bom April 2(3,
1790, died June 21, 1791 ; Sally, born July 3, 1792, died
April 25, 18(38, unmarried; Barnabas, Jr., born June 10,
1795; Patty, Aug. 25, 1797; Ruby, Sept. 29, 1799; Norton,
Nov. 22, 1802 ; Milton, Jan. 10, 1805 ; Roswell, Feb. 15,
1808, and one who died in infancy June 14, 1794.
Barnabas, Jr. mar. Ruth Snow, died at Cameron,
Mo., in 1872. Children: Polly N., born July 18, 1819,
died Nov. 10, 18G8, unmarried ; Cynthia, born Nov. 27,
1820 ; Wm. H., Oct. 1, 1822 ; Patty (or Martha) Aug. 18,
1824; Irene, Sept. 20, 1820 ; Mary Jane, Oct. 22, 1828 ;
Roswell Clifford, Feb. 4, 1831; Chalmer O., July, 1834 ;
Charles Edwin, March 19, 1838 ; H. Clark, Feb. 20, 1840.
Cynthia mar. Aaron G. Ayres, Dec, 1841.
William H. mar. Rachel B. Tillson of Cummington,
April, 1847, and settled in Windsor. Children: Cornelia,
Joseph, Tillson, Luther W., Cyrus W., B. Franklin,
Fred, Mary and Henry C. Rachel, wife of Wm. H., died
Jan. 30, 1881. For a second wife he mar. Mrs. Mary
Ann (Dyer) Brackett, Oct. 26, 1887. Of the children of
Wm. H., Cornelia, Joseph and Tillson (deceased) settled
in Canada. — Luther mar. Lucy O. Stetson, Oct. 18,
1882. Children : Minnie R., Annie E. and Mary E.— Cy-
rus W. mar. Nellie Mason, April 14, 1878. She deceased,
and for a second wife he mar. Dora A. Mills. Their
children are John H., Maggie A., Joseph W., Charles,
Marion E. and Robert B. — B. Franklin mar. Julia E. Beals,
of Goshen, June 25, 1890, one son, Joseph A. Fred died
Aug. 12, 1884, aged twenty-four. Mary died July 13, 1887,
aged twenty-five. — Henry C. mar. Bertha B. Gurney, Dec.
14, 1890. — Martha, daughter of Barnabas, Jr., mar. Charles
BARNABAS PACKARD. 167
T. Ford of Windsor, Dec, 1843. — Irene mar. Horatio
Lyon, April, 1847. — Mary Jane mar. Zebedee H. Ran-
dall of Cummington, March, 1852. — Clifford mar. El-
nora J. Vining of Cummington, Feb. 25, 1869, and settled
in Missouri. Children: Emma E., born March 9, 1870 ;
Geo. C, March 13, 1873 ; Leonard C, Dec. 8, 1875; Etta
B.. Dec. 13, 1877; E. Edwin, Feb. 1, 1880; Jennie S., Aug.
5, 1882. — Chalmer mar. Sophia Dean of Savoy, April 1,
1863 ; settled in Missouri. Have one son, Herbert M., born
July, 1867. — Chas. Edwin mar. Araminta Utter of Ohio
in 1867, settled in Missouri. Children : Wni. B., born
Sept. 19, 1870; Clark S., Dec. 29, 1873; Eva L., Aug. 10,
1876 ; Martha P., Feb. 5, 1880 ; Bessie D., 1884 ; Laura E.,
Aug. 10, 1886, and an infant daughter who died in 1870.
— These three brothers all reside at Cameron, Mo., Edwin
being cashier of the Farmers' Bank at that place. — H.
Clark mar. Melona C. Dawes, June 4, 1865. One daugh-
ter, Vesta D., born Aug. 28, 1866, mar. Arthur B. Rich-
ards of Cummington, June 29, 1890.
Patty, daughter of Barnabas, mar. Nathan Beals,
July 13, 1815.
Norton, son of Barnabas, mar. Mary Ann Thompson,
182S. Children : George W., born Jan. 30, 1829 ; Philena
M., Nov. 27, 1834; Marilla B., April 25, 1837 : John K.,
Aug. 16, 1839.
Milton, son of Barnabas, mar. Charlotte Parker. Jan.
7, 1828. Children : Lurinda, born Aug. 30, 1830 ; Lyman,
April 15, 1833 ; Leavitt, Oct. 19. 1835 ; Laura, Jan. 23,
1843; Lozene E., Jan. 18, 1845 ; Franklin, Dec. 12, 1852;
Lyman and Leavitt went West and died there. — Lozene
mar. Mina Wheeler. They reside in Windsor. Have
several children. — Franklin mar. Nellie Whitman.
Reside in Cummington and have quite a family.
1G8 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
Roswell, son of Barnabas, mar. Susan Bird of Wil-
liamstown, July, 1832. They had one daughter born in
Plainfield, Vesta, Oct. 9, 1833.
JAMES RICHARDS.
James Richards was the son of Joseph and Sarah (Whit-
marsh) Richards, the fourth of a family of four sons
and three daughters. He was born in Eastern Massachu-
setts, May 31, 1757. Was one of the earliest settlers and
had seen service in the Revolutionary army. He was an
educated man, of versatile talents, and throughout his ac-
tive life was prominent in church and town affairs. Was
one of the first two deacons chosen Nov. 15, 1792. Taught
school in winter for many years. Was a fine singer and
organized and led the first choir ; also taught singing
schools in early times in this and adjoining towns. He
was held in high esteem by the towns-people, and his
opinion on any public question had the effect of law. One
Sunday morning a new minister had preached, and as
the congregation were passing out one asked another how
he liked the sermon, " Oh, I don't know," he replied, " I
haven't seen Deacon Richards yet." He was chosen one
of the Selectmen in 1790 and served in that capacity
twenty-one years. Only one has served the town in that
office longer, the exception being Levi N. Campbell, who
served twenty-two years. In 1797 he was chosen Town
Clerk and served four years. Represented the District
and Cummington in General Court in 1793, '98, and 1801,
3 and 5, and after its incorporation as a town he was sent
as its representative in 1811, '12 and '10. He was also a
delegate to the Convention for Revising the Constitution
in Nov., 1820. Was commissioned a Justice of the Peace
JAMES RICHARDS. 169
in 1802, an office at that time attended with far greater
responsibilities than now, which office he held twenty-
eight years. He was totally blind for some years previous
to his death, which occurred Mch. 1, 1842. Mar. Lydia Shaw
of Abington, sister of Josiah Shaw, May 1, 1780. She died
Aug. 20, 1828, aged seventy-one. She is spoken of by those
who remember her as a most excellent woman. The home-
stead on which they settled and where they lived and died
is that now occupied by A. B. Cole, the house now stand-
ing being the same occupied by them. This was built be-
fore 1800, probably, and was the birth-place of the writer.
Their children were a daughter, born May 1, 1781, who
died in infancy: Lydia, born May 1, 1782; James, Jr.,
Feb. 23, 1784: Joseph, Nov. 6, 1785; Sarah, Aug. 15, 1787;
Nancy Shaw, Jan. 5, 1790, died Dec. 20, 1794; William,
Aug. 22, 1793; Jason, June 27, 1790, died May 1, 1798;
Jason (2d) Aug. 31, 1798: Austin, Feb. 9, 1800. Of these,
the first five were born before their settlement in Plain-
field. — Lydia mar. Ebenezer Snell, Esq., of Cumming-
ton, (second wife) Oct. 27, 1825, died June 2(5, 184(3.
James, Jr. graduated at Williams College in 1809. Stud-
ied theology at Andover, graduating in 1812. While at col-
lege he with four others, of whom Samuel J . Mills was the
leader, became greatly interested in the subject of foreign
missions and prayed into existence the American Board
of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. In September,
1811, he offered his services to the Board as a missionary.
After completing his theological studies he devoted con-
siderable time to the study of medicine and surgery, with
a view to increased usefulness among the heathen. He
mar. Sarah Bardwell, May 31, 1815, and Oct. 23, 1815,
they sailed for Ceylon, where they arrived after a voyage,
170 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
considered a prosperous oue, but which required five
months. After over six years of faithful labor, part of
which time, however, Mr. Richards was greatly hindered
by sickness, he died at Tillapilly, Ceylon, Aug. 3, 1822.
A monument bearing suitable inscriptions in English and
Tamul, marks his last resting place. His widow died
April 26, 1825.
Joseph mar. Mehitable Allen, April 4, 1809. He was
a physician and located at Hillsdale, N. Y. Had one son,
William, also a physician, for several years located in
Cummington. Married Martha Brown of Peru.
Sarah mar. John Mack, Oct. 27, 1808, died Jan. 25,
18GG.
William studied for the ministry, graduated at Williams
College in 1819, studied divinity at Andover, offered his
services as a missionary, and was ordained at New Haven,
Sept. 12, 1822. He mar. Clarissa Lyman, and they
sailed for the Sandwich Islands, Nov. 19, 1822, arriving
there in April, 1823. He became an influential adviser of
the King of the islands, and after fifteen years at the work
of civilizing and christianizing the people and aiding in
translating the Bible into their language, he entered the
service of their government and gave shape and direction
to their politics. His first duty was to prepare a constitu-
tion and code of laws for the nation, which remains, a last-
ing monument to his memory. He then sailed for Europe
and the United States as Minister Plenipotentiary of the
King, to obtain from the great powers of the earth an ac-
knowledgment of the Sandwich Islands as an independent
kingdom. His credentials, handsomely engrossed on vel-
lum, bearing the signature and seal of the king, are now
in the possession of his neice, Mrs. Wm. Holmes Hallock.
JAMES RICHARDS. 171
Mr. Richards was accompanied to the United States by
Prince Haalilio, the heir apparent to the Hawaiian throne,
whose visit to Plainfield will be remembered by a few.
The prince died at sea on the return passage. After Mr.
Richards' return to the Sandwich Islands, he was for sev-
eral years Minister of Public Instruction, and his labors
were incessant. The king had perfect confidence in his
judgment and considered him his best friend. His death,
which occurred Nov. 7, 18-47, was by them regarded as a
national bereavement.
Jason received as thorough an education as could be
obtained at the common schools. He spent his life in
Plainfield and cared for his parents until their death. He
taught very successfully for many years in the schools of
this and adjacent towns. Was chosen Town Clerk in 1833
and held the office twelve years. He was a very plain and
careful penman and very exact in making records. He rep-
resented the town in the Legislature in 1841 and '42. About
this time he was appointed a Justice of the Peace, an office
which he held until a short time before his death, which oc-
curred Aug. 7, 1S85. It is somewhat remarkable that he pro-
fessed Christ and united with the church at the advanced
age of seventy-eight years, giving good evidence during
the remainder of his life that he had indeed " passed from
death unto life." He gave much attention to the study of
common law and though he never took any regular course,
was considered excellent authority by the people of the
town in ordinary matters of law, being often consulted on
legal subjects, and his opinions when given were very sel-
dom wrong. Had he received a thorough legal education
he would without doubt have been a shining light in that
profession, for which he had great natural talents. He
172 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
mar. Sophia Forsaith of Deering, N. H., Jan. 5, 1830.
Children: Ann S., born Oct. 22,1830; James Forsaith,
July 16, 1832 ; William Austin, Jan. 27, 1830 ; Laura
Mack, July 18, 1838.
James F. received a college education, studied medicine
and is a successful physician in Andover, Mass. — William
Austin graduated at Amherst College with the intention
of entering the ministry, but while teaching in Williston
Seminary, Easthampton, was attacked by typhoid fever,
which terminated fatally Sept. 8, 1S03. He was ill but a
few days. The daughters, Ann S. and Laura M., were
both successful teachers in the public schools for a number
of years. Laura mar. Josiah H. Hunt, a native of
Hawley, and removed to Gloucester, Mass., where her
husband was for some years principal of one of the High
Schools. Here she died Sept. 24, 1881, and her remains
were brought here and laid beside those of her brother.
The writer has her in grateful remembrance as a teacher
for whom he had great admiration and respect and whom
he firmly believed could not be excelled.
Austin, youngest son of James (1st) was educated for
the ministry, graduating at Amherst College in 1824.
Married Maria C. Odiorne of Boston, Dec. 12, 1827.
Settled in New Hampshire, where he spent a long and
useful life in that work.
JOSIAH SHAW.
Josiah Shaw settled in Plainfield in 1792. He was then
an energetic young man of twenty-nine years. He had
previously prospected and purchased a tract of land, and
in February of that year, he with his wife and three young
children made the journey from Abington. He served in
JOSIAH SHAW. 173
the Revolutionary army and is said to have carried a
musket and fought at the battle of Bunker Hill, and to
have been a sergeant at Saratoga and witnessed the sur-
render of Burgoyne; died Aug. 26. 1844, aged eighty-one.
Children : Josiah, Jr. born in Abington, Nov. 13, 1785 ;
Samuel, also born in Abington, May (5, 1700 ; Nancy, Feb.
4, 1794 ; Dana, April 10, 1708 ; Freeman, Feb. 23, 1803.
1. Josiah, Jr. mar. Lydia Noyes of Abington, died
Dec. 13, 1803. Children : Louisa, born Nov. 27, 1808, died
April 27, 1813 ; Mary Ann, born June 22, 1811 ; Washing-
ton, Jan. 11, 1814 ; Lewis, Nov. 3, 1816 ; Julia Ann, Oct.
25, 1818, died Oct. 3, 1850 ; Josiah, 3d, Oct. 3, 1820 ; Henry
W., March 21, 1825 ; Eliza A., Aug. 29, 1827 ; Helen H.,
Nov. 22, 1829, died June 2, 1834.— Mary Ann mar.
Elijah Warner, Jr., Jan. 11, 1844, died Dec. 24,1888.—
Washington studied medicine, married and settled in Hay-
denville, where he practised his profession until his decease,
some thirty years since. Had one son, Henry W., now
living in Springfield, Mass. — Lewis remained on the farm
and cared for his father and mother. He remained single
until after the death of his parents, when he mar.
Rachel C. Tuller of Haydenville, Nov. 16, 1864. Was
chosen one of the Selectmen in 1854, and served in that
office eighteen years in all, being for a number of years
Chairman of the Board, which position he held at his
death, April 16, 1884. He also served three years on the
School Committee, being elected in 1875. At a town meet-
ing held soon after his decease, the following was adopted:
"Resolved, that as citizens of Plainfield we express our high
appreciation of his wise and faithful management of public
affairs, and tender our sympathy to the widow and her
family under this heavy bereavement." His children are
174 HISTORY OP PLAINFIELD.
Carrie L., born Sept. 18, 1865 ; Mary E., July 3, 1875.—
Carrie mar. Lucian A. White, (second wife) Dec. 24,
1886.
Josiah, 3d, mar. Romina M. Streeter, Jan. 22, 1850.
They removed to Wisconsin, where they now reside.
Henry W. settled in Springfield, Mass., and afterward
in N. Y. City. He was twice married and deceased in
1800. Had one daughter, Sarah.
Eliza A. mar. John G. Sawyer of Albion, N. Y.,
June 27, 1855. He at present has the honor of represent-
ing his district in Congress.
2. Samuel, of whom a history is given under head of
" Physicians," mar. Sarah Snell Bryant, daughter of
Dr. Peter Bryant of Cummington, in 1821. She died Dec.
12, 1824, at the age of twenty-two. They had one daugh-
ter, Ellen T. Married Clark W. Mitchell, now of Dalton,
Mass., Aug. 3, 1842; died March 12, 1891, aged sixty-eight.
Samuel mar. for a second wife Elizabeth O. Clarke of
Northampton, Oct., 1830. Children : Samuel Francis,
born Sept. 7, 1833; Stella A., Dec. 13, 1835; Sarah G., Dec.
17, 1836; Charles Lyman, Feb. 7, 1842; Laura A., June
27, 1846. — Samuel F., of whom a brief history is given else-
where, mar. Adelaide Roberts of Philadelphia, Oct. 27,
1877, died Dec. 7, 1884. — Laura A. mar. Dr. E. Darwin
Hudson, Jr., a physician of N. Y. City, Sept. 7, 1871. He
deceased two or three years since. The surviving mem-
bers of the family reside in Astoria, N. Y., excepting dur-
ing the summer, when they occupy the old homestead, the
ownership of which they still retain.
3. Nancy mar. Edmund Campbell, May 23, 1817,
died Nov., 1820.
4. Dana mar. Elizabeth Whiton, April 2, 1829. He
SAMUEL STREETER. 175
was also a physician and practiced for more than twenty-
five years in Barre, N. Y. ; deceased many years since.
5. Freeman remained on the old homestead where his
father first settled. Married Harriet Whiton, Aug. 28,
1828, died Jan. 6, 1876. Children : Ann Zeruiah, born
March 14, 1832 ; F. Eugene, Aug. 2, 1834, died Dec. 30,
1854; Harriet Augusta, Feb. 11, 1837; Theodore W.,
June 14, 1830; Chauncey C, May 20, 1841; Diantha H.,
March 25, 1843; Elna L, Sept. 6, 1849.— Zeruiah mar.
Alden F. Pettengill of Cummington, Nov. 10, 1853. — Au-
gusta mar. Ira W. Hamlen, July 7, 1858. — Theodore
mar. Martha E. White, Oct. 12, 1802. Has for many
years been employed at the U. S. Armory at Springfield.
Children : Anna, born Sept. 1, 1872, died May 22, 1879;
Etta and Harry. — Chauncey married, and died a few years
since at Brooklyn, N. Y. Theodore and Chauncey both
served in the war of the Rebellion, Chauncey being the
first volunteer from Plainfield. — Diantha mar. Joseph
Woodward, Feb. 27, 1866.— Elna I. mar. Chas. C. Hall
of Springfield, Oct. 1, 1868.
SAMUEL STREETER.
Samuel Streeter was a pioneer settler having come here
while the town was a part of Cummington. He was born
in Sturbridge, Mass., in 1754. After serving in the war of
the Revolution he married Bathsheba Barton of Charlton
in 1778, and settled where S. H. Sears now lives. Died
Sept. 7, 1844, his wife having deceased six years before.
Children : Hannah, born June 16, 1780; Joanna, Oct. 30,
1781, died Aug. 13, 1787; Jacob, Feb. 21, 1783; Susanna,
July 30, 1785 ; Auselm, Oct. 4, 1787 ; Lucena, Jan. 4,
1789; Arnold, Oct. 14, 1790; Truman, Jan. 20, 1793; Samuel,
Jr., Aug. 17, 1795 ; Nahum, Feb. 9, 1797.
176 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
1. Hannah mar. Timothy Barker of Heath, Aug.
19, 1802.
2. Jacob mar. Hannah Shaw Erskine, April 12, 1802.
Children : Horace, born April 9, 1804, Almira, Jan. 30,
1806; Reed Erskine, Nov. 7, 1807 ; Betsey, June 25, 1809;
Anna, Dec. 16, 1810, died Aug. 29, 1815; Jacob, Jr., April
2, 1812. This family removed to Ohio.
3. Susanna mar. Joel Carr, April 19, 1804.
5. Lucena mar. Ezra Beals, Jan. 29, 1807.
6. Arnold mar. Ruth Butler of Buckland, Nov., 1809,
died May 8, 1872. Children : Romina, born 1810, died
Oct. 2, 1812; Sereno, March 11, 1812, died Nov. 2,
1812; Sereno C, born in Pittsfield, Mass., April 22,
1814; Edwin P., June 3, 1816; Theron L., Aug. 17, 1818;
Romina M., May 10, 1823; Ruth Ann, Feb. 6, 1828.— Sere-
no C. mar. Mercy Stetson. Children : Carrie A., born July
17, 1839; Belle G., April 11, 1843; Hiram C, May 8, 1849,
died Sept. 9, 1850; George A., Sept. 15, 1852; MaryE.,
Nov. 22, 1854. — Carrie mar. J. Nelson Benjamin,
Nov. 24, 1864.— Belle mar. Charles T. Estes of Ad-
ams, Dec. 13, 1874. — George mar. Vesta E. Whit-
marsh, Dec. 24, 1873: Children: Cora M., born March 1,
1878; Edith L., Sept. 6, 1879 ; Herbert G., April 5, 1881.
— Mary E. mar. Clarence Tower of Cummington, Oct.
29, 1878.
Edwin P. mar. Elsie Gloyd; died Nov. 18. 1888.
Theron L. mar. Maria B. Belding of Ashfield, Oct.,
1845. Children : Clara M., born Oct. 4, 1846; Darwin E.,
March 27, 1848; William and Fred.
Romina M. mar. Josiah Shaw, 3d, Jan. 22, 1850.
Ruth Ann mar. George G. Keyes. Now reside in
Delton, Wisconsin.
JOSIAH TORREY. 177
7. Truman, son of Samuel, mar. Nancy Hitchcock
of Hawley, Sept. 1, 1817.
8. Samuel, Jr. mar. Anna Copeland, Aug. 30, 1820.
9. Nahum mar. Anna Butler, died Sept. 1, 1881.
Children : Louisa, born July 19, 1824 ; Fred, Aug.
18, 1828 ; Lorenzo, Jan. 7, 1832 ; Julia Ann and Mary
Ann, twins, Oct. 29, 1836. — Louisa mar. Solomon H.
Deming, March 1, 1849. — Fred died in Greenfield, Mass.,
some years since.— Lorenzo served in the war of the Rebel-
lion in the 37th Mass. , and is now living in Vermont. — Julia
A. mar. Chas. W. Bogart, Feb. 7, 1866. Live in Williams-
burg, Mass. — Mary A. died Jan. 29, 1842.
JOSIAH TORREY.
Josiah Torrey was born in 1756, probably in Abington,
Mass., and was without doubt a descendant of Capt. Wm.
Torrey of Combe, St. Nicholas, County of Somerset, Eng-
land, who came to this country in 1640 or '41 and settled
in North Weymouth. This Capt. William was many
times chosen representative to General Court. Was for
about thirty years Clerk of the Courts of Norfolk County.
He married his second wife after settling in Weymouth.
The genealogy of Josiah is traced back as follows: — Josiah
son of Josiah, of Phillip, of William, 2d, of Capt. William.
His father was born in 1720, and settled in the west part
of Abington. Josiah served in the Revolutionary war
and as early as 1785 settled in Plainfield, on the farm now
owned by C. W. Packard. He was called by the old peo-
ple "Governor" Torrey, but how he obtained the title is
not clear. The hill on which the house stands still bears
his name. His wife died July 15, 1819. For a second he
mar. Olive Segur, March, 1821. Died Aug. 6, 1836.
. 12
178 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
His children were John, Olive, Ruth, Nancy and Josiah,
Jr., all of whom were probably born in Abington.— John
mar. Betsey Colson, Oct., 1812. — Olive mar. Ansel Con-
verse of Windsor, Nov., 1812. — Ruth mar. John Ford of
Cummington, (second wife) May 18, 1834. — Nancy mar.
Ebenezer Shaw, Jr. of Cummington, Jan. 2, 1817. — Josiah,
Jr. mar. Polly Nash, Sept. 21, 1815. She died May 19,
1817. For a second wife he mar. Abigail Tirrell, widow
of Isaac Tirrell, Jan., 1819. Their children were Mary N.,
born Sept. 27, 1819; Edwin T., Feb. 13, 1821; Philena L.,
Feb. 18, 1823; Merritt P., June 8, 1825; Austin W., Aug.
10, 1829; Francis N., Dec. 11, 1831.
1. Mary N. mar. Josiah Perkins. Reside in Pawtucket,
R. I.
2. Edwin mar. Candace D. Stanford of Rowe, April,
1843. Children: Mary A., born 1844; George O., born
Sept. 8, 1850, died Sept. 13, 1852; George A., Nov. 14,
1858. — Mary A. mar. James A. Nash, Sept. 15, 18G0. —
George A. mar. Philibena Stemple of Buckland, Jan. 21,
1883. Have one daughter, Mabel.
3. Philena, mar. William Gurney, (second wife) Jan.,
1844.
4. Merritt mar. Celestia E. Tirrell, April 13, 1848.
Was chosen one of the Selectmen in 1860 and served seven
years. Also represented the town and district in the Leg-
islature in 1877. Children: Flora L., born Sept. 20, 1850;
Alden L., June 6, 1860.
5. Austin mar. Sarah L. J. Wing of Hinsdale, Mass.,
Oct., 1852.
6. Francis mar. Julia M. Remington, Nov. 24, 1853.
Austin and Francis were both teachers or School Super-
intendents in New Jersey for many years, being highly
AMOS TIRRELL. 179
esteemed. Francis died a few years since from injuries
received by being thrown from a wagon. His death was
considered a great loss to the community in which he
lived.
AMOS TIRRELL.
Amos Tirrell was born in Abington (or Weymouth)
Mass., in 1763. Settled here about 1789, on the farm now
occupied by Merritt Torrey. He was known by the name
of "Old Orchard" among the towns-people. Presented
each of his children on their marriage with a farm; died
March 6, 1849. Children: Hannah, born in Abington,
March 11, 1787; Isaac, Dec. 5, 1789; Amos, Jr., Nov. 18,
1792; Orren, June 13, 1795; Arza, Feb. 18, 1799; Abram
Shaw, April 18, 1802; Clarissa, May 25, 1809, died July 12,
1825; James, Aug. 31, 1812.
1. Hannah mar. Samuel Thayer, Jr., March 27, 1806.
Settled where Lemuel Mason now lives and reared a large
family.
2. Isaac mar. Nabby Snow of Windsor, Feb., 1813, died
Dec. 2, 1814; had one son who died in infancy.
3. Amos, Jr. mar. Electa Nash, March, 1813, died Nov.
16, 1825. Children: Russell, born Jan. 22, 1814; Lois J.,
Sept. 20, 1815; Isaac, Oct. 4, 1818; Sophronia, Aug. 13,
1820; Polly N., Aug. 2, 1823. His widow afterward mar.
Benjamin Town. — Russell mar. Mrs. Lucy M. Campbell,
widow of J. Dwight Campbell, April 22, 1852. Children:
Arthur R., born Feb. 10, 1853; Emma L., June 26, 1857.
— Arthur mar. Nellie M. Clark, Nov. 27, 1879.— Emma is
a professional nurse in Hartford, Conn.
Lois J. mar. Daniel Burt of Southampton, Nov., 1834.
Isaac mar. Melissa Sackett of Westtield. She deceased
180 HISTORY OF PLAINPIELD.
and he married his present wife who was Hannah Phipps.
They reside in Holyoke. — Sophronia mar. Sumner Burt,
April 21, 1840.— Polly N. mar. Edmund Burt of Southamp-
ton, June 12, 1850.
4. Orren mar. Lydia Snell of Ware, Aug. 5, 1817, died
Jan. 25, 1880. Children: Sarah S., born 1819; Joseph W.,
Aug. 19, 1822; Orren, Jr., 1823; Mary C, Aug. 4, 1828,
died Feb. 19, 1860; Emeline E., Aug. 9, 1830.— Sarah mar.
Paul H. Cudworth, (second wife) Oct. 21, 1852. — Joseph
W. mar. Huldah Woodard of Ware; has one son, Arthur
W., a clergyman of the Methodist denomination, a prom-
ising young man. His wife deceased and for a second
he mar. Antoinette C. Bryant of Chesterfield. — Orren, Jr.
mar. Octavia Ford of Cummington, June 27, 1852. — Eme-
line mar. Edward Thayer of Chesterfield, Oct. 27, 1853.
5. Arza mar. Electa Snow. Children; Lydia P., born
July 13, 1823; Artemas R., June 24, 1828; Susan G., Nov.
6, 1830; Elizabeth C, July 28, 1834; Spencer N., Jan. 27,
1838, and two who died in infancy. — Lydia mar. Justus
Mason of Cummington, March 10, 1842; Artemas mar.
Nancy Olds of Peru.— Susan mar. Brigham C. Streeter of
Cummington, Oct., 1850. — Elizabeth mar. Spencer Tower
of Chesterfield, Nov., 1852. — Spencer mar. for a second
wife Samantha Haskins, April 7, 1864, who was a sister of
his first.
6. Abram S. mar. Eunice Fuller, March 24, 1825, died
Jan. 15, 1843. Children: Celestia E., born Jan. 25, 1828;
Harriet A., Aug. 31, 1830; Elisha F., May 5, 1834, and one
older daughter, who died in infancy. — Celestia mar. Mer-
ritt Torrey, April 13, 1848. — Harriet mar. Albert Ford of
Windsor, May 9, 1850.
ELIJAH WARNER. 181
7. James mar. Clarissa Bird of Windsor, June, 1835;
had two children who died in childhood, and adopted three.
ELIJAH WARNER.
Elijah Warner was born in Hard wick, Mass., in 1707.
Mar. Betsey Mitchell of Cummington and settled on the
farm afterwards occupied by his sons, Cushing and Wells.
Was chosen one of the Selectmen in 1804 and served eigh-
teen years. Represented the town in General Court at
Boston in 1821 and 1827; was appointed a Justice of the
Peace in 1828, and held the office until his death, which
occurred Dec. 29, 1844. Children: Betsey, born Aug. 27,
1796; James, July 23, 1798; Melancia, July 8, 1800; Cush-
ing, Sept. 16, 1802; William, Aug. 9, 1804; Elijah, Jr.,
Sept. 21, 1806; Wells, Dec. 12, 1808; Roswell H., Jan. 30,
1812; Janette, Sept. 20, 1819.
1. Betsey mar. Simeon Streeter of Cummington, (second
wife) Dec. 23, 1830.
2. James mar. Fidelia Whiton, Sept. 23, 1824, died
April 7, 1890. Children: James Emerson, born Sept. 24,
1825; Fidelia Loraine, Sept. 4, 1827; Florilla D., Feb. 11,
1830; Elizabeth R., April 3, 1832, died Dec. 8, 1834; Sarah
W., Sept. 8, 1834; Almon M., March 6, 1843. J. Emerson
became a physician and was for some years in California.
At present resides in Sterling, Va. — F. Loraine mar. E.
Alden Clark, Oct. 30, 1849, died Oct. 18, 1854.— Florilla D.
mar. Alberto C. Shattuck, Jan. 1, 1852; he died Oct. 15
the same year. She afterwards mar. Rev. S. D. Taylor.
They are now living at So. New Lyme, Ohio. — Sarah W. has
been a teacher in the public schools of this and neighbor-
ing towns, having taught over fifty terms. She remained
with her parents caring for them through their last years.
182 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
— Almon M. served three years in the war of the Rebellion
in the 37th Mass., and was promoted to the rank of Lieut.
Studied law and is now practising in Cincinnati, Ohio.
3. Melancia mar. Lemuel Howlett of Hartford, Ct.
(third wife), April 26, 1853. Died in Plainfield, Nov. 3,
1884.
5. William mar. Annis Crittenden, April 23, 1835.
Children : Wm. Edwards, born April 1, 1836 ; Eliza A.,
Sept. 11, 1837 ; Flora C, Jan. 29, 1840, died Dec. 14, 1841 ;
Mary Flora, Sept. 24, 1842 ; Laura E., March 15, 1848.
His wife died Oct. 30, 1852, and he mar. Mrs Polly
P. Latham, widow of Robert A. Latham, Jan. 23, 1855.
They had two children, twins, Frank A. and Fannie A.,
born Oct. 22, 1855. Frank died April 26, 1803. Wm.
Edwards enlisted in the army in the fall of 1802, and
served in the 46th Mass., which was stationed near New-
bern, N. C, at which place he died while in the service,
June 28, 1863, of typhoid fever. He was to have been
married to Miss Augusta M. Dyer in the fall of 1862,
had he not enlisted. It was thought best to postpone the
marriage, which on, account of his death never took place.
Eliza A. mar. Wm. J. Shattuck (second wife). Reside in
Covert, Mich. — Flora M. mar. Edward A. Rood, Oct. 25,
1863. They also reside at Covert, Mich. — Laura E. mar.
George L. Campbell, Nov. 27, 1867. Reside in North-
ampton. — Fannie mar. Hiram Rood. Also live in North-
ampton. — William died Oct. 6, 1865.
6. Elijah, Jr. mar. Mary Ann Shaw, Jan. 11, 1844.
Died Aug. 11, 1889. No children.
8. Roswell H. married and lived in Dalton, Mass.
Died in 1890. Neither wife or children survive him.
Cushing, Wells and Janette never married, but remained
CALEB WHITE. 183
on the old homestead. Cushing died May 2, 1882, and
Wells died eight days later. It is a singular fact that
it has been the lot of Janette to care for four of her
brothers during their last sickness, viz. : Cushing, Wells,
Elijah Jr., and Roswell, which she has done with great
patience and faithfulness. She now resides in town with
her nephew, C. W. Streeter.
CALEB WHITE.
Caleb White was one of the pioneer settlers. Came
here while the district was still a part of Cummington,
and lived in a house which stood a few rods south of the
one occupied afterward by his son Samuel. Was born in
Bridgewater, Mass., in 1744. Served in the Revolution-
ary army, being over thirty years old when the war
commenced. A wooden flask or canteen which he carried
in the service, is now in the possession of his great-
granddaughter, Mrs. Theodore W. Shaw of Springfield,
Mass. It bears the name of Caleb White, with date of
May 9, 1775. He was chosen one of the selectmen the
next year after Plainfield was set off, and served four
years. He understood surveying and owned a surveyor's
compass and other instruments, his services being often
in demand. He died on the farm where he orignally
settled, April 8, 1840, at the age of ninety-six. Had two
sons. Ziba, born in Bridgewater, probably in 1771, and
Samuel, born in Cummington, Sept. 16, 1776. Ziba lived
on or near the spot where W. E. Shaw lives. Married
Huldah Gloyd, Feb. 24, 1794, died April 6, 1842. Chil-
dren : Hannah, born Oct. 25, 1797 ; Electa, April 26,
1799, both of whom died in early childhood. Nahum,
Dec. 20, 1800 ; Loren, July 1, 1802 ; Calvin, Aug. 12,
184 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
1804 ; Amy, March 8, 180G ; Newell, Nov. 30, 1807 ; Dex-
ter, Nov. 17, 1809 ; Huldah, 1814. Loreu mar. Harriet
Beals, March 31, 1823.
Newell studied medicine, became a physician and set-
tled in Pennsylvania, where he is still living. — Dexter
mar. Lydia Gurney, Nov., 1837. Children : Dexter Wel-
lington, born Jan. 4, 1839; Shepard L., Dec. 21, 1840;
Mary Ellen, Nov. 3, 1844; Herbert H., Oct. 11, 1852.—
Huldah mar. Wm. Gurney, June 8, 1836, died Aug. 1,
1842.
Samuel, son of Caleb, mar. Polly Norton, Nov. 28,
1799. Was chosen one of the selectmen in 1834 and
served four years. Died March 21, 1871. Children : Nor-
man, born Aug. 31, 1800 ; Mary, March 31, 1802 ; Annis,
Feb. 4, 1804 ; Sally, Aug. 23, 1805 ; Deborah, June 1,
1807 ; William, Aug. 12, 1808 ; John, Jan. 21, 1810 ;
Cynthia, March 19, 1812 ; Oren, Dec. 30, 1814 ; Samuel
Orson, Jan. 12, 1817 ; Henry Kirke, March 31, 1820 ; Ed-
win T., Jan. 16, 1822, died Aug. 9, 1830 ; Armelia, Aug.
12, 1823 ; Brackley C, May 6, 1825, died Aug. 5, 1830.
Three others, two sons and a daughter, died in infancy,
making seventeen children in all, ten sons and seven
daughters. This is believed to be the largest family ever
produced in Plainfield. Norman mar. Albina Gloyd,
June 20, 1821. — Mary mar. Vinson Nash, Dec. 5, 1821.
He having deceased, she mar. Bela Dyer (third wife),
June 2, 1865. — Annis mar. Orren Stetson, Jan. 1, 1828,
Died March 10, 1885. — Sally mar. Levi Stetson, 2d, Feb.
12, 1824.— Deborah mar. Bela Dyer, Sept. 30, 1824, died
Nov. 16, 1828. — William married and died Sept. 2, 1852. —
Oren mar. Esther Wagner of Cummington, May, 1837. —
Samuel O. (or Orson S. as he has always been known),
DAVID WHITON. 185
mar. Louisa B. Shaw, daughter of David, Feb. 14, 1839,
died Feb. 5, 1891. Had one daughter, Martha E., born
Sept. 18, 1843, mar. Theodore W. Shaw, Oct. 12, 1862.—
Also an adopted son, Lucian A. — Henry K. mar. Harriet
N. Hastings of Buckland, Nov., 1841. — Armelia mar. Ab-
ner Gurney, Nov. 14, 1843. Only one of these sons,
Orson S., settled in Plainfield.
DAVID WHITON.
David Whiton (this name has since been' written
Whiting) was one of the early settlers. His house
stood where No. 2 school-house now stands. He was
the son of Abijah and was born in Hingham, Mass.,
Nov. 10, 1769. Mar. Rachel Randall of Hatfield, (who
was through her mother a descendant of Robert Bruce
of Scotland,) Jan. 1795. He was a man of good ex-
ecutive ability and was often moderator of the town meet-
ings. Died Sept. 9, 1849. Children: Mary, born Nov.
28, 1796; Fidelia, Dec. 27, 1799; Betsey, Dec. 22, 1801; Da-
vid Randall, Feb. 6, 1803; Theodore, March 26, 1805; Har-
riet, May 18, 1807; Clarissa, Jan. 21, 1810; Rachel, Oct. 9,
1811; William Chandler. Feb. 10, 1813; Lewis E., March
7, 1815. — Mary mar. James Joy, June 10, 1818, died April
12, 1888.— Fidelia mar. James Warner, Sept. 23, 1824, died
Aug. 11, 1887. — Betsey (or Elizabeth) mar. Dana Shaw,
April 2, 1829. — David R. mar. Harriet Parker of Belcher-
town, Sept., 1832. Children: David Bruce, born Aug.
15, 1833; Theodore P., Jan. 28, 1836. — Harriet mar. Free-
man Shaw, Aug. 28, 1828, died June 5, 1888. — Clarissa mar.
Freeman Hamlen, died Oct. 13, 1847. — Rachel mar. Royal
B. Hibbard of Barre, N. Y., May 27, 1835.— William C.
mar. Lucretia Shaw, daughter of David, Oct. 30, 1836;
186 HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
had one child, Wm. Augustus, born April 14, 1838, died
Oct. 31, 1840. He is the only surviving member of the
family. — Lewis E. mar. Diantha Shaw, and settled at Sara-
toga, N. Y. Died a few years since.
JACOB WHITMARSH.
Jacob Whitmarsh was born in Cummington, Jan. 1,
1789. Mar. Olive Packard, daughter of Adam Packard of
Cummington, Dec. 29, 1814. She was a school-mate of
Wm. Cullen Bryant. He used to say there was no com-
petitor in his spelling class whom he feared except Olive
Packard. They settled in the extreme southwest corner
of the town, about a mile north of West Cummington,
which at that time had no existence as a village. Died
Feb. 9, 1872, his wife having deceased a few years before.
Children: Polly P., born Nov. 19, 1815; Florintha, April
15, 1817; Mary Ann, Jan. 14, 1819; Jacob S., June 9, 1823;
Fordyce, April 29, 1820; Rachel, May 21, 1831; Nahum,
Oct. 16, 1834.
1. Polly mar. Robert A. Latham, May 24, 1838. Lived
on the place lately occupied by Abishur Nash. Mr.
Latham in company with Dea. Elias Giddings owned and
operated a tannery near where Lester Streeter lives. He
died July 23, 1851, leaving four children. For a second
husband she mar. William Warner, Jan. 23, 1855. He
died Oct. 6, 1865, and for a third she mar. Riley Westcott
of Cheshire, about 1870. She died at Florence, Mass.,
Feb. 10, 1885.
2. Florintha mar. Verren Dawes of Cummington, May
24, 1837. He deceased leaving two small children, and
about 1858 she mar. Isaac Bates of Cummington. He died
about 1864, also leaving two small children. In April,
JACOB WHITMARSH. 187
1871, she mar. Lewis Ford of Cleveland, Ohio, where
they now reside.
3. Mary Ann mar. Newell Dyer, May 24, 1842, died
May 2, 1866.
4. Jacob S. mar. Polly Bartlett of Cummington, Nov.
30, 1848. Children: Vesta, born 1851, and Alvah, and two
who died in infancy. — Vesta mar. George A. Streeter,
Dec. 24, 1873. They live on and have charge of the Wm.
Cullen Bryant place in Cummington. — The wife of Jacob
S. died in Worthington, and for a second he mar. Maria
S. Nash, April 10, 1865. Children: Mattie P., born March
20, 1807; Bessie V., Sept. 28, 1872, died 1890.' Reside in
Florence, Mass. He was chosen one of the School Com-
mittee in 1871, serving three years; has also served on the
School Board in other towns.
5. Fordyce mar. Eliza Allen of Windsor, Jan., 1852.
Was chosen one of the Selectmen in 1858, serving two
years. Children: Julia; Fannie A., born Nov. 7, 1857;
Sarah A., Nov. 25, 1861. — Julia mar. J. H. Judd of East-
hampton. Now reside in St. Paul, Minn. — Fannie mar.
Granville Matthews. Reside in Chelsea, Mass. — Fordyce's
wife deceased about 1886. For a second wife he mar. Mrs.
Marion C. Dyer, widow of Edwin J. Dyer, Dec. 5, 1888.
They reside in Easthampton, Mass.
6. Rachel mar. Levi N. Campbell, (second wife) Nov.
24, 1852. Died in Florence, Mass., Jan., 1887.
7. Nahum mar. Mary Lucas of Springfield, Nov. 1,
1871. Reside in Springfield, Mass.
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