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HISTORY OF
NORTH ADAMS, MASS
1749==1885.
Eeminiscences of Early Settlers. — Extracts from Old
Town Records. — Its Public Institutioi^s, Industries
AND Prominent Citizens, together with a
Roster of Commissioned Officers in
THE War of the Rebellion.
By W. K. Spkar.
North Adams, Mass.: HoosAO Valley News Printing House.
1885.
r /x
CONTENTS.
4
CHAPTER I.
East Hoosac— First Explored and Surveyed, 1. Incorporation of Adams, 1. First Town Tax, 2. Early Town Meetings, 2-3. Resolves of Early Town Meetings, 3^-5. Credit to South Village, 5. Names of a few Early Settlers, 5-6.
CHAPTER II.
Fort Massachusetts.— Built, 7. Location, 7. The Attack and Capitula- tion of August 20, 1746, 8. Rebuilt During Last French and Indian War, 9. The Site of the Fort, 10. The Burial Gipund, 10. Headstones Found, 11. A Quaint Petition, 12.
CHAPTER III.
The North Village.— Village Proper, 13. First Saw and Grist Mill, 13. Barnes' Mills, 14. Israel Jones, 14. Village Site, 15. Ohver Parker' Mills, 16. Amos Bronson, 17. David Estes. 17. Jeremiah Colgrove's Oil MiU, 18. DwelUngs and Settlers in 1785 and 1795, 19. Josiah Holbrook,20. OHver Parker, Sr., 21. Lack of a Circulating Medium, 22.
CHAPTER IV.
Stores, Trading and Barter. — First Traders, 24. First Store, 24. First for the Sale of Groceries, 25. System of Bartering, 27. Prices Paid for Cahcos, Groceries and Grain in 1803, 27-28. George Whitman as a Trading Man, 28. Wool Carding, Cloth FulUng and Dressmg, 29.
CHAPTER V.
Early Industries. — Blacksmith Shops, 30. Carpenter and Cooper Shops, 31. Brick Yards, 32. Saddle and Harness Makers, 32. Wagon and Sleigh Makers, 33. Cabinet Shops, 33. Water Works, Pumps and Lead Pipes, 34. Stone Cutting and Marble Works, 34. Hat Manufacturers and Hat Stores, 34. Tailor Shops, 35. Forge for Making Wrought Iron, 35. First Cupola Furnace and Machine Shops, 36-39.
CHAPTER VL
Roads and Streets.— Old Road Over Mountain, 40. Highway Taxes, 41. Road Surveys, 41. Wages Paid for Labor on Roads, 43. Laying Out of Streets, 41-43. Early Stage Lines, 43.
SS519990
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CHAPTEB VII.
ScHOOLHOusEs AND Churches. — First Schoolhouse, 4A. Money Baised for Schools, 44. School Districts, 45. School Property, 45. School Books, 45-46. Teachers' Wages, 46. Schedule of Property for Assessment, 47. Dmry Academy, 47-49. Veazie Street and Union Street Schools, 49. The First Churches, 49-51. History of Baptist Church, 51-53. Univer- saUst Church, 53. Methodist Church, 53-55. Congregational Church, 55-56. Episcopal Church, 56. Blackinton Church, 56. Boman Catholic Church, 56. French Catholic Church, 57.
CHAPTEB YlII.
Public Houses. — Old Black Tavern, 58. Berkshire House, 59. North Adams House, 60. Wilson House, 60. Ballou House, 61.
CHAPTEB IX.
PROFESsiONAii. — Lawyers, Date of their Settlement, 62. Acting Justices of the Peace, 63. Practicing Physicians, 64. Bepresentatives to the Gen- eral Court, 64-68. Postoffice and Postmasters, 68-70. Telegraphy, 70.
CHAPTEB X.
Manufacturing.— Arnold Print Works, 71. Old Brick Factory, 71. Eagle Factory, 72. S. Blackinton Woolen Company, 73. The Beaver, 74. Estes Factory, 75. Turning Shops, 76. The Union, 76. Union Woolen Factory, 77. Johnson Manufacturing Company, 77. Gould Mill, 78. Stone Mill, 79. Brooklyn, 79. North Adams Manufacturing Company, 80. Freeman Print Works, 80. Greylock Mill, 82. Wholesale Boot and Shoe Manufacturers — Edwin Childs and David C. Bogers, 82. H. T. Cady's, 83. W. G. Cady & Co., 83. Whitman, Canedy & Co., 83. Sampson Manufacturing Company, 83. North Adams Iron Company, 84. Tanneries, 86.
CHAPTEB XI.
Prominent Citizens.— Captain Jeremiah Colgrove, 88. Protection of a Fugitive Slave, 89. Giles Tinker, 90. Deacon Artemas Crittenden, 92. Bufus WelJs, 93. Harvey and OUver Arnold, 94. Duty S. Tyler, 96. William WaUace Freeman, 96. Caleb B. Turner, 97. William E. Bray- ton, 97. Sylander Johnson, 98. Amasa W. Bichardson, 99. Elisha Kingsley, 99. Orson Wells, 100. Benjamin Chase, 100. Ezra D. Whit- aker, 100. Josiah Quincy Bobinson, 100. Dr. Edward Norman, 100. Dr. Seth N. Briggs,101. Dr. N. S. Babbitt, 101. Dr. E. S. Hawkes, 101.
CHAPTEB XII.
MiscELiiANEOUS.— Division of the Town, 103. Boster of Commissioned OflS- cers, 104. North Adams Fire District, 107. Boston, Hoosac Tunnel & Western Bailroad, 109. North Adams Gas Light Company, 109. Sketch of Hoosac Tunnel, 110. Banks, 111. Newspapers, 112. North Adams Hospital, 112. North Adams Library Association, 114.
EAST HOOSAC.
CHAPTER T.
THE town of Adams, including what is now Adams and Nortb Adams, was originally known as East Hoosac.
This township was first explored and surveyed in 1749, by a committee of the General Court of Massachusetts. They were in- structed to lay it out six miles square. Not believing in the doc- trine of instruction, however, it was laid out seven miles long, from north to south, and five miles broad, from east to west. It is the only town in Berkshire County of a perfectly regular form.
In 1750 Captain Ephraim Williams secured a grant of two hun- dred acres of land in the town, on condition that he would reserve ten acres for a fort, and build and keep in repair for twenty years a grist and saw mill.
In June, 1762, East Hoosac, with nine other townships, was sold at auction, for £3200, to Nathan Jones, who soon after received as partners in this land speculation Colonel Elisha Jones and John Murray.
In October, 1762, forty-eight building lots of one hundred acres were laid out, embracing the very heart of the township, mostly interval land along the Hoosac river and its south branch. In 1776, twenty more lots of similar size were laid out, and Israel Jones, having then become a resident, was authorized to admit sixty set_ tiers, in accordance with the requirements of the General Court. Two years after, the remaining lands were apportioned among the settlers.
The town was incorporated October 15, 1778, with the name of Adams, in honor of Samuel Adams, the illustrious leader in the Revolution, the signer of the declaration of independence, and afterward Governor of Massachusetts. The first annual town meet-
a HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
ing was held March 8, 1779, when Captain Phillip Mason was chosen moderator ; Isaac Arnold, town clerk ; Captain Phillip Mason, Captain Israel Jones and Captain Keuben Hinman, select- men. Captains were plenty in those days of war and commotion, and were naturally looked upon as the leading men in civil as well as military affairs. Captain Reuben Hinman was also chosen town treasurer. The meeting was adjourned till March 22, when Luther Bich, David Jewell and Eleazer Brown were chosen assessors ; Elias Jones, Gideon Smith, Jonathan Husse, Stephen Smith, Phil- lip Mason, Ruluil White, Oliver Parker, Johnathan Hale and Daniel Sherman, surveyors of highways ; Lemuel Levenworth, col- lector, (he was superceded June 17 by Justus Holt) ; William Bar- ker, collector of taxes ; Edmond Jenks, Benjamin Baker, William Smith, Jedediah Hurd and John Kilburn, committee of safety. Their business was to watch and thwart the tories, Indians, British and other enemies of American liberty. Similar officers existed in all the towns, and kept the courage of the people of New England from slumbering.
The first town tax on record was £100, for making and repairing the highways, to be paid in labor at two shillings six pence per day, or Indian corn at two shillings six pence per bushel. The building and support of the roads was then, as now, a heavy bur- •den. A stony soil, rapid running streams, enormous tree stumps and steep hillsides must have made the travelling anything but -desirable in olden times. It was voted to pay the collector of taxes nine pence on the pound for collecting of rates. This was •equal to 3 3-4 per cent. The collector of the present day gets 11-16 of 1 per cent, for his work.
The pay of town officers was not so large as to cause mucli wire- pulling to get offices. For the first year the bills of the selectmen were as follows : Reuben Hinman, one pound, thirteen shillings ; Phillip Mason, nine shillings ; Isreal Jones, eighteen shillings, re- ceiving thirty-six for one. Continental money having depreciated to less than three cents on the dollar. The assessors were each allowed £3 for their services, at the ratio of forty for one. The practice of sinking taxes began in the very first year, nineteen pounds and twelve shillings, due from six different unfortunates, were abated in the collectors' bills.
The number of voters at the time of the town's organization is Tiot ascertainable. An estimate, however, may be formed from the vote cast April 19, 1779, in favor of forming a new state constitu- tion. It was unanimous — 44 present — and a delegate was empow- ered to represent the town in a constitutional convention.
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 3
At a towJn imeeiing held November 5, 1779, the question of an- nexing a part ^of Adams to New Providence — now Cheshire — was put and decided in the negative ; yeas 24, nays 48. This would show 72 votes cast. As such a local question must have been some- what exciting, it may be supposed that special efforts were made to bring out the voters, and that their attendance was full.
A town meeting was held May 1st, 1780, for the purpose of con- sidering the new constitution or frame of government. Two of the •articles were passed by 00 votes. One relative to the judiciary was rejected unanimously, and that the judges mentioned should be elected annually. One relative to the executive power was voted against unanimously, with this objection: That every person liable "to do duty ought to have a voice in choosing the officers to com- mand him. Article 2 of chapter 6 was passed with this addition. That the justice be debarred from holding a seat in the General •Court. A committee, consisting of Nathan Comstock, Justus Holt and John Eaton, was appointed to examine and make amend- ments. The watchful, independent spirit of the people of that time is seen in these votes in favor of an elective judiciary, elective military officers, and the separation of the judicial and legislative •departments of the state.
During the two or three years after the town's organization, iiown meetings were very frequent. They were held every few weeks. In 177-9 there were ten. A great deal of work had to be •done. The critical events of the war raised new questions continu- ally for the voters to act upan ; and it is no disparagement to the early settlers to say that they were inexperienced in the arts of wire-pulling and sly political scheming, and could not ^'fix" things «o they would stay ''fixed" for a whole year. Besides the feeling of the town was very democratic, and the voters would not tolerate encroachments or meddlesomeness by their officers. The votes in regard to the constitution of 1780 show a wholesome distrust of Tulers.
The patriotism of the early settlers is evinced by their liberal contribution toward carrying on the revolution. Probably no com- munity in the state was more deeply imbued with the spirit of '76, or more free in offering her best blood and her hard-earned prop- erty to the cause. Money she had little or none, as is proved by the taxes being paid m produce. Following are some resolves of the various town meetings, copied from the records :
July 5, 1779 — Voted to give the nine months men ten dollars a month, to be paid in grain at the stipulated price, viz : Wheat at •T) shillings, rye at 4 sliilliaigs and Indian corn at 3 shillings per
4 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
bushel, and 100 Continental dollars as a bounty before the march.
July 23, 1779 — Voted that the selectmen make provision for the men that are draughted to the place of rendezvous.
March 20, 1780 — Made choice of David Smith, John Kilburn, Ambros Parker, committee of safety.
May 25, 1780 — Voted to pay William Harrendeen 270 Continen- tal dollars to make good the depreciation of money due to him as wages, for service in the Continental army.
June 20, 1780 — Voted that the town will raise money by a tax to hire their quota of soldiers to serve in the Continental army six months.
Voted to give each man that shall engage in the service for six months a bounty of two pounds ten shillings for each month he shall serve, to be paid in produce at the stipulated price or in money equal thereto.
July 10, 1780 — Voted that Captain Reuben Hinman be refunded the sum of three hundred dollars, which sum he gave a six months man, out of the town treasury.
Voted that the three months men now to be raised have fifty shillings per month in addition to the state wages, to be paid in the same manner and at the same time the six months men are paid.
December 28, 1780 — Voted that a committee be appointed to report what bounty shall be given to the soldiers now to be raised for three years.
Voted that Enos Parker, Levi Brown and Samuel Law be a com- mittee for that purpose.
Report of the committee — That each person who shall engage in the Continental army for three years, or during the present war, shall be entitled to receive the sum of fifty pounds per year for every year he shall serve, including the Continental pay, and each soldier so engaged shall receive the sum of thirteen pounds previous to his marching if he chooses, thirteen pounds niore at the expira- tion of the first year, and the remainder of the money annually.
Voted that the town agree to and will comply with the above re- port.
February 12, 1781 — The question being put whether the town will agree to class its inhabitants in order to raise its quota of men for the Continental service, voted in the negative.
Voted to choose a committee to hire or raise said men. f Voted that Joab Stafford, Solomon Gardner, Giles Barnes, Sam'l. Lowe and Sam'l Day be a committee for the above purpose.
May 15, 1781 — Voted to lay a tax on the town of three hundred pounds hard money for the purpose of procuring a stock of ammu- nition and defraying town charges. Continental currency to be re- ceived at the common exchange.
July 19, 1781 — Voted that each soldier engaging to serve in the Continental army three months shall receive from the town of Adams the sum of four pounds for each month he shall serve, to be
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 5
paid in silver or in grain ; wheat at six shillings, rye at four shil- lings and Indian corn at three shillings per bushel ; the soldier so engaging to sign an order for the selectmen of Adams to draw his state wages ; that three pounds of the four be paid such soldier previous to his marching, if required, and the remainder by the first day of January, 178^.
Voted to assess a tax on the inhabitants of Adams for the sum of two thousand one hundred and eighty pounds state money, to pur- chase 24,000 weight of beef and a quantity of clothing.
August 17, 1781 — The question being put whether the town will make good the wages of the six and three months men, carried in the negative.
February 21, 1782 — The question being put whether the town will do anything toward procuring a man to serve three years in the Continental army for Captain Isaac Hathaway's class, voted in the negative.
It is here very proper to give South Adams her full credit as the principal settlement in the time of the Revolution. The " South End," so called in the records as early as July, 1780, had probably ten times as many inhabitants seventy-five years ago as the ''North End,'^ and the latter could never have caught up and gone ahead but for her more extensive water power on two streams. The land is much better for farming in the vicinity of South Adams, and her sturdy yeomanry were for many years the backbone of the set- tlement. Therefore, the patriotism and self-sacrifice of Eevolu- tionary times were chiefly displayed by our southern friends, and are not cited here as proofs of the early glory of this part of the town. It had little or no glory, because there was scarcely any- body living here to let their light of patriotism shine. On the site of this village there were probably not five houses in 1780.
Following is an exact copy of an antique paper whereby a soldier of this town bound himself to serve in the Revolutionary army three years :
I Benjmin Hazzard of the Common Welth of massachustts County of Berkshire and Town of Adams have Inlisted my Self as A Soldier in the Sarvice of the Uuited Statts of America For the Time of Three years and Promis to Obey and Subject my Self to all the Laws and Regulations of the Army and my Superior Officer in Witness whare of I have Set my hand this Twenty Third Day of march 1781 and For Class No 2 of Whome Mr. Darius Bucklin
^^ ^^^^^' Benjmin x' Hazzard.
Marke.
Among the first settlers of the township of Adams were Abiel Smith and his sons Gideon and Jacob, John Kilborn and John Mc- Neal of Litchfield, Conn. ; Reuben Hinman and Jonathan Smith
6 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
of Woodbury, aud Messrs. Parker, Cook and Lea^^enworth of Wal~ lingford. These settlers, and others who settled with them, did not remain a long time. Most of them sold their land to pur- chasers from Rhode Island, many of them Quakers. Others not belonging to that order soon followed from the same state, until Rhode Islanders occupied nearly the whola town, and Adams still contains many of their descendants..
FORT MASSACHUSETTS.
CHAPTER II.
THE site of this memorable fortress is so near our village, and literally at the extreme north end of the town of Adams, that a brief recapitulation of its history will be most appropriate.
About 1741 Fort Massachusetts was built in a narrrow part of the valley leading toward Williamstown. It was a part of the line of defense erected to protect the northern and western settlements of New England against French and Indian hostilities. The enemy directed their principal movements toward Connecticut river, but some came down the Hudson, and, proceeding eastward up the Hoosac, assailed this fortification in smaller or larger parties, and several bloody skirmishes took place.
The fort was located in a then very exposed position, pushed far out into the wilderness, twenty or thirty miles from any abode ot civilized man. Williams and his hardy companions erected their fort of logs, surrounded with pickets of squared timbers driven into the ground so as to form a continuous fence, mounted with a few iron guns on swivels, and defensible against musketry alone. The garrison at this time numbered about fifty men. After being re- built, in 1747, the fort was garrisoned by one hundred men. Feebly can the present generation conceive of the hardshsps endured by these brave men nearly a century anu a half ago. Besides the regular garrison duty, small scouting parties were continually ranging the woods from one fort on the line of defense to another, penetrating far into the northern wilderness, to dis- cover the Indian trail, intercept and defeat their war parties. Armed with his gun, hatchet and scalping-knife, with provisions and blanket on his back, the hardy soldier scoured the woods in quest of the savage, to meet him with his own weapons and on his
8 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
own ground. Every tangled thicket was the place of ambush, and the tomahawk and scalping-knife ever gleamed before his eyes. The garrison of Fort Massachusetts had its full share of this adventurous service.
June 11th, 1745, the enemy appeared, attacking a number of men who were at a distance from the fort, wounded two, Elisha Nims and Gershom Hawks, and took Benj. Tenter captive. One of the enemy was killed, and the others fled after a short skirmish- May Gth, 1746, as Sargeant John Hawks and John Miles were riding out from the fort they were fired upon and wounded by tlie Indians. Miles escaped to the fort. Hawks, having the spirit of an eagle, fought for some time, and might have made both the Indians prisoners had he understood their language, for they asked for quarter before he took leave of them.
August 20th, 1746, an army of about 000 French and Indians, under General De Vaudreuil, made an attack upon the fort. Colonel Hawks, who was in command at that time, had only twenty-two effective men, and thirty-three persons, including men, women and children. He was also short of ammunition. Yet, under such discouraging circumstances, this Massachusetts colonel defended the fort twenty-eight hours against the Canadian general with more than forty times his number of men, and would proba- bly never have surrendered had liis powder and balls held out. He finally capitulated, upon terms which were violated by the French commander. It was agreed that none of the prisoners should be delivered to the Indians ; but De Vaudreuil gave up half his cap- tives to the savages, on the plea that he could not otherwise pacify them. The Indians immediately killed one of the prisoners, who was sick and unable to travel. In the seige Colonel Hawks lost but one man, while the enemy, as near as could be ascertained, lost forty-five, killed or mortally wounded. The fort was demolished by De Vaudreuil. The prisoners were marched to Canada, where twelve of them sickened and died. The residue, with other pris- oners, were sent in a vessel with a flag of truce to Boston, where they arrived August 16, 1747. Rev. John Norton, chaplain of the fort at the time it was taken, wrote an account of his captivity, which was published. Another of the prisoners was Benjamin Simons, who afterward became a distinguished inhabitant of Wil- liamstown and a colonel of militia.
May 25, 1747, while the fort was being rebuilt by the government of Massachusetts, who sent a large force thither, an army of the enemy came to hinder the undertaking ; but they fled on a sally from the fort and being also frightened by the return of about 100
HISTORY OF TS^ORTH ADAMS. 9
men from Albany with military stores and provisions. There were charges of cowardice in connection with this affair, and ^'bush fighting" has a tendency to beget extreme caution, if not timidity, in many men. In this skirmish three persons were wounded, and a friendly Indian from Stockbridge was killed.
October 1st, 1747, Peter Burvee was taken prisoner near the fort, and went into his second captivity from the same spot, having been one of De VaudreuiFs prisoners two years before.
August 2nd, 1748, the fort was commanded by Captain Ephriam Williams, the founder of Williams College, whose grant of two hundred acres of land in East Hoosac has been already mentioned. Four men were fired upon while outside the fort. Captain Wil- liams sallied out with thirty men, and after driving the enemy about a furlong a party of fifty Indians in ambuscade suddenly fired and endeavored to cut off his retreat. By a quick movement he regained the fort, having one man, a Mr. Abbott, killed, and two, Lieutenant Hawley and Ezekiel Wells, wounded. At once a large body of three hundred Indians and thirty French advanced and opened their fire on the fort. After sustaining a sharp fire from the garrison for two hours, the enemy despair<^d from effecting anything, and drew off with their killed and wounded.
On the cessation of hostilities, in the fall of 1748, the forces on the frontier were reduced, and a small garrison left at Fort Massa- chusetts.
When the last French and Indian war broke out, in 1754, imme- diate measures of defense were adopted by the General Court of this state. Fort Massachusetts was strengthened and the garrison increased, making it the foster mother of the infant settlements in the town, now known as North Adams, Adams and Williamstown. Tlie command was continued to Ephraim Williams, with a coloneFs commission in the provincial army of 3000 men, which undertook the expedition to Crown Point.
At Fort Massachusetts he met his old companions in arms, and gave them his last words of council and encouragement. Tradi- tion informs us that at the parting interview some slight expres- sions fell from his lips of the purpose to leave to them, in the event of his death, more substantial tokens of his regard. This generous purpose was carried out by his bequest of property to open a free school in the west township — now Williamstown ; a handfull of good seed which sprung up in the noble harvest of Williams Col- lege.
After the lamented death of Colonel Williams, in battle with the French and Indians under Dieskau, near the southern extremity
10 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
of Lake George, September 8, 1755, the oversight of Fort Massa- chusetts was committed, it is believed, to Captain Wyman. He is known to have lived in the house within the pickets, and to have occupied the land reserved for the use of the fort.
June 7, 1756, a body of the enemy came again to this fort. Benjamin King and a man named Meacham were killed.
The garrison was probably withdrawn and the fortification began to decay immediately after the conquest of Canada, in 1759. In the time of the revolution it was a ruin, many of the solid old tim- bers having been taken to erect less patriotic structures.
Tradition states that three-quarters of an acre of land was in- closed within the stockade, and that there were five or six block- houses, with families residing therein.
The site of the fort — as everybody knows — is on a slight rise of land in the beautiful meadow now owned by Mrs. Bradford Harri- son. A thrifty elm tree marks the spot. It was planted in the spring of 1858 by Prof. A. L. Perry and some of the students of Williams college.
Captain Clement Harrison, who purchased in 1830 of the ad- ministrators of Isreal Jones, Esq., the farm on which his grandson now resides, discovered in his work of renovating the soil many relics of the fort, and munitions of the old, bloody times of deep significance. Hundreds of bullets, coroded and turned white, Indian arrow-heads curiously carved of flint, a metal tomahawk, the muzzle of a small cannon, several bombshells, pieces of pots and kettles, broken bottles in which the pretended '^good liquor'' of for- mer days was perhaps contained, a silver spoon with a very large and nearly round bowl, strongly-made but badly rusted jackknives and cartloads of brickbats are among these curious and suggestive mementoes. Captain Harrison presented many of them to chance visitors, and a considerable variety to the cabinet at Williams Col- lege, where they attract the reverent gaze of all who have any sen- timent of the hero-worship in their nature.
Captain Harrison, from the indications discovered in clearing up that part of his farm where the fort stood, was of the opinion that there were six different houses, or log cabins, within the inclosure, scattered three or four rods apart ; and that the inclosure may have been double the size mentioned above, or one and a half to two acres. Solid, large beams of pine timber were found in one place, and masses of brick and brickbats where the six chimneys had stood.
Southwest of the fort was the burial ground. Though the graves were long since leveled, in the summer of 1852 a headstone was
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 11
found and carried to Williams College, by Captain Harrison's per- mission. The stone is shaped like a letter V with the bottom cut off ; it is about two feet nine inches in height, four inches thick,, and sloping in width from sixteen inches at the top to six inches at the bottom. It is a common dark stone, and is apparently just as it was found, never having been wrought at all except to cut the- letters and figures upon it. Prof. Perry was fortunate in being the means of saving so interesting a relic. Had it remained on the meadow the letters, already dim, would before now have become? quite illegible. One such inscription as the following is worth more, as authority, than any amount of tradition :
June 12,
1745, E. NIM,
At26y.
This is undoubtedly the Elisha Nims mentioned above as having been wounded June 11, 1745, and his death took place the follow- ing day. In the grave beneath this stone the partially decayed skeleton of a man was found, and lodged in one of the joints or vertebrae of his backbone was the fatal bullet which caused his death. This bone, with the bullet in it, may be seen at Williams College, a sad memento of the marksmanship of those perilous days. The thigh bones are very sound and perfect, and of large' size, indicating that their owner was over six feet tall. The skull was perfect, and the jaw had every tooth sound, excepting one gone. Tradition states that this young man was shot outside the- fort, while obtaining water from the excellent spring on the north bank. There was a well inside the fort, but the preference for spring water is not strange in any one, and especially not in those who toiled as the soldiers of that day did. Tradition also states, that an Indian was shot on the north bank by a soldier named Howland, with a *^^long gun," after he had repeatedly and grossly insulted the men in the fort. Instances occurred in which the- enemy were thus killed at the extraordinary distance of sixty rods,, and they often fell Avhen they supposed themselves in perfect sscLirity. Habituated to sharp-shooting, the garrison signaled out the assailants whenever they exposed themselves, and brought them down at a long shot. The bank west of the Harrison resi- dence, on which this saucy redskin is supposed to liave stood when he received his punishment, is still called the ^'Indian ledge."
In the burial ground were four other small headstones, but they bore no inscriptions. The names of the men whose honored duSt they marked are unknown. They have faded into obscurity,.
12 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
together with a thousand incidents that would interest and astonish the present generation, accustomed as it is to plenty, security and ease.
Some of the first settlers of the town were soldiers located at Fort Massachusetts. One of them, a John Perry, had settled here, built for himself a home and cleared a small farm at the time the prisoners were taken, August 20, 1746, he being one of them. His house and effects it seems were destroyed, and a short time after his release from captivity he petitioned the General Court for com- pensation for his losses. This quaint petition, which is given be- low,, was disregarded by the Court. It is dated November 5, 1747, less than three months after his return from captivity :
*' Whereas, your Honors' humble Petitioner enlisted in the ser- vice of the country, under the command of Captain Ephriam AVil- liams, in the year 1745, and was posted at Fort Massachusetts, in Hoosuck, and upon ye encouragement we had from ye late Colonel John Stoddard, which was that if we went, with our families, he did not doubt but that ye court would grant us land to settle on, whereupon I, your Honors' humble petitioner, carried up my family, with my household goods and other effects, and continued there till we were taken, when we were obliged to surrender to the French and Indian enemy, August 20th, 1746. I would humbly lay before your Honors the losses I sustained then, which are as foUoweth : A house which I built there for my family, £80 ; two feather beds with their furniture, £100 ; two suits of apparel apiece for me and my wife, £150 ; two brass kettles, a pot of pew- ter, with tramel tonge and fire slice, and knives and forks to ye balance of £20 ; one crosscut saw, £20 ; and one new broadax, £6; three new narrow axes, £8 ; two Steele traps, £14 ; two guns, £32 ; one pistol, £5 ; one hundred weight of sugar, £20 ; total, £457, with a great many other things not named. The losses your hum- ble petitioner hath met with, together with my captivity, hath re- duced me to low circumstances, and now humbly prayeth your Honors of your goodness to grant him a grant of land to settle tipon near ye forts, where I fenced, which was about a mile west of the fort, or elsewhere, where your Honors pleaseth, and that your Honors may have a full reward hereafter for all your pious and charitable deeds, your Honors' humble petitioner shall always pray." John Perry.
This date places John Perry as the first settler in the Iloosac Valley, though he never returned here after his captivity. The estimates he made of the property, it must be remembered, were in ^^lawful money," that is, Colonial bills made legal tender, and these, during that very year, were being redeemed by Massachu- setts at the rate of eleven for one silver dollar.
THE NORTH VILLAGE.
CHAPTER III.
THE location of this village proper, by the original survey, was known as part of settling lot No. 24. The great water power — the Hoosac river then being much deeper than now — and the probability of the early erection of mills here, must have attracted the attention of farmers and other settlers to this point, as it will be recollected that in the year 1750 Captain Ephraim Williams was bound, in consideratio nof the grant of 200 acres of land, to "build a grist and saw mill within two years on the Hoosac river, and keep the same in repair for twenty years. '^ These mills were erected at North Adams. The dam was thrown across the river at, or near, where tlie furnace and machine shop of James Hunter & Son now stands, just above the Main street bridge. The grist mill was upon the west and the saw mill upon the east side of the river, about where the machine shop is now located. An old-fashioned trestle bridge, uncovered, with no railing except a huge log on each side, but supported by strong abutments, spanned the river just below the mills, and exactly where the '^Phoenix bridge" now stands.
The dam and mills were erected by a Mr. Hurd, undoubtedly according to some arrangement made by Captain Williams with him. Although no data can be ascertained of the time of erec- tion, yet it is reasonable to suppose that it was as early as 1752, in order to conform to the requirements of the grant. Mr. Hurd, perhaps the Jedediah Hurd who was on the committee of safety in 1779, sold the water power and mills directly to Elisha Jones, or to some one who did sell to him, before or in the early part of the Revolution. Elisha Jones was the father or Captain Isreal Jones, a staunch Whig, and a member of the first board of selectmen in Adams ; but Elisha, his father and several brotliers, it is said, were
14 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
Loyalists, and having left in the year of the battle of Bennington, 1777, probably to avoid the rough Whig discipline of tar and feathers and fence-rail riding, this mill privilege and five acres of land adjoining, principally on the east side, were confiscated to the Commonwealth. Giles Barnes derived his title from a com- mittee of the Massachusetts Legislature, appointed to take care of ■^ ^spoils'" of the Tories,
In 1780 Mr. Barnes had a partner, for at a town meeting held Oct(iber 25th of that year it was voted that '^'the bridge near Day & Barnes' mills be repaired at the town's expense." Mr. Barnes appears to have been a business man of some ability, for he was cho'sen assessor at the March meeting in 1780, and selectman and town clerk in 1781. In 1782 he seems to have become sole owner of the mills again, for a road survey ''was made on the west side of the river at Mr. Barnes' mill," along the very spot from which the iron horse now runs his race with "old Sol" toward the west.
The staunch Whig patriotism of Isreal Jones has been denied. The grounds of denial were that he is believed to absented himself from town in 1777, the year of Burgoyne's capture ; that his family connections were Tories, and fled to the British provinces ; that his chimney tops were painted white, the usual telegraphic signal of Toryism in the days of the Revolution. AVhatever Tumors may have been afloat respecting Mr. Jones' political senti- ments, they did not affect his standing among his townsmen, who w^ere zealous Whigs and sagacious observers. His character as a man, a citizen and a (Christian were never impeached. He was a Tn-ember of the first board of selectmen chosen in 1779, and held town offioes innumerable for years, being very frequently modera- tor in to\VTi meetings. He was chosen representative to the <jreneral Court of Massachusetts in 1785, re-elected in '80, and re- •elected again for six years, from 1792 to 1797, inclusive.
Isreal Jones was the fourth of fifteen children, and was born in Weston, Middlesex County, in this state. His father, Elisha Jones, was one of the three original proprietors of the township of Adams. Isreal first settled in Pittsfield, but removed to East Hoosac in 176*6. H« owned and resided for sixty-three years on the farm now occupied by Eobert Harrison. He was extensively •engaged in settling and dealing in lands. Many of the early deeds were given by him, either as principal or agent. He was by profession and in practice an excellent surveyor, and was con- stantly employed in that capacity-. Most of the roads described in the town records were laid out by him. The federal government, in 1798, appointed him one of the commissioners to adjust the line be-
HJSTOKY OF NORTH ADAMS. 15
tvveen the United States and southeastern Canada. He was a trustee first of the free school and afterward of the college in Williams- town. He was probably one of the first Justices of the Peace appointed in town, and served in that capacity more or less for forty years. He married, in 1707, Alithea, daughter of Rev. Mr. Todd, the first minister settled in this town, and lived with her fifty-nine years. They had nine children. In 1803 he became a member of the church in Williamstown, and regularly attended worship there until he aided in organizing the Congregational church in this village, in 1827. Although a small man in stature, he must have possessed an iron constitution, as he was active, hale and hearty up to the very day of his death, September 11, 1829, when he lacked only ten days of being nihety-one years of age. He rode on horseback to Stamford and returned the forenoon before his death. Laying down to take an after-dinner nap, as was his custom, desiring to be called in an hour, that he might ride to Williamstown before night. When his daughter tried to awaken him the effort was in vain ; his soul had departed without a strug- gle. His death created a profound sensation, for he was truly one of the pillars of the town amid its early difficulties.
The site of this village was formerly a jiine forest, with some white oak intermingled. The principal staple of early traffic was, therefore, pine and other lumber ; and the material of which the fences and many of the early buildings were constructed was such as to give it the name of ^SSlab City.^^ Like those farmers who eat only such produce as they can't sell, many of the men who built took lumber that was not merchantable. The stumps of huge trees remained for a long time in the very streets, and Main street, it is said, was only cleared by a ^*bee" of some fifty men, with teams, headed by that indefatigable roadmaker, Jere Col- grove, Sr. The digging of cellars and the preparation of gardens were very much impeded by these stumps. In times of freshet the lower portion of the village was flooded by the river, rocks of enormous size and gravel by the ton being distributed plentifully across the ''flats." There are evidences of the river having for- merly been much broader than now, and it certainly rose higher and was more ungovernable at the dreaded season of "breaking up" of the ice after the vigorous winters of one hundred years ago. The furious flood has been known to sweep from the point where the lower bridge on Union street is located across the entire village south, to the bank bordering Church and Summer streets. The entire flat where now most of the trade and mercantile busi- ness of the village are transacted, would be washed with an ice-
16 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
cold stream, driving the se'ttlers from their houses, sweeping away or greatly damaging the little property they possessed, and liter- ally drowning the hopes they had cherished of a prosperous season, by obliging them to begin anew. The clearing up of the forests and consequent drying of the springs, as well as the more gradual melting of the snow, has diminished the volume of water in all the streams, and such extraordinary freshets are no longer to be feared. Like other dangers, out of sight, they are out of mind.
The village site and its immediate vicinity was called by early settlers the poorest part of the town of Adams. It was miserable land for farming purposes, like most pine land. The first farmers preferred settling on the mountain slope ; they said the '*flat would hardly bear white beans." The pine lumber, however, was of first rate quality. Tradition states that one tree was felled of the extraordinary height of 114 feet to the first limb. Very little pine timber grew at any other point within a dozen miles or more.
About the year 1756, and during the last French war a saw mill was erected near the site of the cotton mill now owned by the Freeman Manufacturing Company, called the "Estes mill." This saw mill is supposed to have been on the south bank of the river, and the primitive forest extended to the north bank. Tradition further states that an Indian, standing on a rock on the north bank, fired across the river and shot the man who was running the mill while he was at work, and caused his death. This wa^ the Indian method of warfare.
Oliver Parker, Sr., who settled in this town in 1766, and was a conspicuous Whig and a town officer for many years, built two dams and a saw and grist mill at the ''upper union" — the saw mill standing near the southern end of the Eclipse mill and the grist mill near the northern end. These mills were in operation before 1780, and did considerable business. They were carried oif in the terrible freshet in the month of April, 1785, called the ''Parker^s flood" for many years after, on account of the damage it inflicted upon him. He lost about 50,000 feet of sawed lumber by the flood, and the grist mill stones were lodged in the bed of the river, and remained there visible for many years. This flood was one of those which deluged almost the entiro village, as above described. Giles Barnes, whose mill property was in great danger from it, and who was a blunt-spoken man, said " Noah^s flood was the only one that ever equalled it." The only road to Parker's mills was the old clay-bank road, over Church hill, which afterward sunk to the ignoble condition of a foot path, but of late years repaired and made a public highway.
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 17
Daniel Harrington built another saw and grist mill on the site of Parker's mills, probably before 1790. He run these mills for several years ; was reputed a very straightforward man, fair in his dealings, plain and downright in expressing his opinion.
Amos Bronson, familiarly known as **Elder Bronson,'' ran a saw mill near the corner of Union street and the road connecting this street with Eagle, past the Eagle mill, prior to 1790. The only road to this was from Eagle street, up the north fork of the- river, and is to-day a very passable highway, making a short cut, out between Eagle and Union streets. Mr. Bronson lived in an old: house at the corner of River and Eagle streets, which was torn^ down in 1858 to make room for the store now occupying that site.. Elder l^ronson was a remarkable man in many respects. He was a. very ingenious mechanic, a millwright, a carpenter, and, in fact^ handy at anything. He worked by the day at almost any jobs.. He was a sort of doctor and a preacher of the Baptist denomina-- tion. He labored in the latter capacity for many years. Though: plain and rough-cast in his speech and manners, he was a man of" sterling honesty and sincere piety. He removed West before 1815,. and died there at a very advanced age.
In 1792 or '93 David Estes came to this town from Rhode Island. In 1795 he bought settling lot No. 25, embracing all the land north of Centre street almost to Liberty, and extending eastward to the site of the Freeman Print Works. This lot was formerly owned by Murray & Jones, who were among the original grantees of the township. Murray fled in the Revolutionary struggle, being a Tory, and his share of the lot was confiscated. Eli Persons bought it of the Conamonwealth and sold it to Burrall Sutton and Burrall Wells. Theseparties sold it to Jencks Ruttenf ur, and he in turn sold it to David Estes for £150, or about $500 of our money at that time. This lot was in those days a complete wilderness, and valua- ble only for its mill privileges. The garden plats did not thrive.
David Estes was a man of great industry and economy, and had a keen eye for practical utility. He commenced making cut nails by manual labor in 1793 or '94, having procured the tools in Rhode Island, and brought the nail rods from Salisbury, Conn., in a one- horse cart. The nails were cut of proper length by heavy shears,, and headed cold in dies brought together by pressure of the foot on a spring. Most of the early buildings after Mr. Estes came were put up with his nails. They were tough, and would clinch like wrought iron — differing from the deceitful cut nails of modern times. Many of these nails, taken out of old buildings, would last another century, and many yet remain in buildings. Shingle nails
18 HISTORY OF XOllTII ADAMS.
sold for 17 cents per pound, or 50 cents per 1000 ; larger nails at from I'Z 1-2 to 15 cents per pound. Saddle nails were also made by Mr. Estes, and sold in Brattleboro, Greenfield and many other places. The nail business was continued until about the year 1810, when Mr. Estes became absorbed in more extensive enterprises.
In February, 1794, Jere. Colgrove, Sr., with his brother-in-law, Elisha Brown of North Providence, E. I., bought Giles l>arnes' property, heretofore mentioned as doubtless the first mill in North Adams. The estate included an old saw and grist mill, the mill privilege, and about 80 acres of land, 5 acres being west of the river and a part of the confiscated lot No. 26. The remaining 75 acres were east of the river, and is now the most thickly settled part of the village. It included a 1 1-2 story frame house, stand- ing near the corner of Main and Marshall streets, having a large garden. The price paid Mr. Barnes was about $1200. Most of the pine timber had been cut off. The mills, being probably forty years old, were much dilapidated. The grist mill was never run by Mr. Colgrove, and the saw mill was only run to prepare lumber for building new mills. The following year he built a new dam where the present dam of M. D. & A. W. Hodge now is, and a grist mill on the present site of their grist mill, thus obtaining a greater head of water than Barnes' mills enjoyed. The new saw mill was directly opposite, on the west side of the river. These mills stood until about the year 1820. They enjoyed a steady run of custom. Wheat was a staple crop on new land, one farmer in the notch raising nearly 700 bushels in one year. Lumber for building purposes was also furnished on contracts by Mr. Colgrove. After the first year he operated the mills alone, having purchased the interest of Mr. Brown.
About the year 1800 Jeremiah Colgrove built an oil-mill on the west side of the river. The process of manufacturing oil by him was quite simple. Flax seed was crushed between iron rollers and under mill stones; it was then mixed with water, heated and steamed in an iron barrel, then pressed with a screw-press of great power, operated by a horizontal wheel that would turn the screw up or down as might be desired. The arms of this press consisted of two oaken logs of the utmost solidity and strength that could be obtained. They squeezed out the oil in a pure state. It was sold in Troy, Albany and elsewhere. The oil cake being an excel- lent article of food for cattle and sheep, met with a quick sale in the vicinity of the mill. Flax being extensively raised in this sec- tion and made into domestic linen, the seed was plentifully obtained -and the oil business paid well. The introduction of cotton cloth,
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 19
and the rapidity with which it superceded home-made linen, blighted the culture of flax and the seed could not be obtained cheaply enough to render the business a lucrative one. It gradu- <ally declined after the year 1828 and the oil of this mill ceased to lubricate the wheels of the machinery here about 1830. The mill was run by various parties, among them being E. D. Whitaker, who in 1827 advertised in the first newspaper printed in the vil- lage for -' 500 bushels flax seed." Portions of this mill were after- wards used in the construction of a grist and saw mill run by wat- er and steam power, and which was burned in 1854.
Prior to 1785 there were only five dwellings in the village. Giles Barnes resided in one standing on the west side of Mar- shall street near the corner of Main. The cellar afterwards formed ^a part of the ditch for the old Brick Factory. This is believed to have been the first house erected in North Adams. It was a low, •one-story structure.
Josiah Wright resided in a house on Marshall street, just south •of the Arnold Print Works property.
Eli Colton, from Wilbraham, built and resided in a house on the present site of the old part of the Berkshire house.
Samuel Day resided in a house near the corner of Main and 'State streets, which was afterwards part of the Old Black Tavern 'building, most likely the eastern part of that famous structure.
Wm. Farrand purchased and lived in a house on the site of the large square house on the hill at the foot of Main street and west
• of the Main street bridge.
The principal land holders in the village in the year 1795, were •Jeremiah Colgrove Sr., Israel Jones, David Estes and David Dar- ling. In the year 1794 when Mr. Colgrove moved here there were less than a dozen dwellings in the whole village. Their locations
• and the occupants names were as follows:
A small house occupied by Mr. Rose, stood on the site of the dwelling on Robinson's hill at the foot of Main street,
Asa Doty resided in a house located under the hill, a little west and north of Main street bridge. The same was many years after- wards occupied by Hodge & Dean, tanners, in part for finishing •off leather, etc.
Mr. Corliss lived in a house just in the rear of where now stands Hie Berkshire house.
Amos Bronson had a dwelling on ground where Freeman's store is located, north of Eagle bridge and corner of River and Eagle ^streets.
David Darling owned and resided in a low structure and kitchen
20 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
attached to same, which afterwards formed the east wing of what is familiarly known as the "Black Tavern," on the corner of Main and State streets. In 1795 Mr. Darling opened and kept a public house in this small structure, the first and for a long time the on- ly hotel in North Adams., and to be particularly described here- after.
Ebeneezer Slocum resided in a house on Church street.
Elisha Houghton had a dwelling about 25 rods north of the one above mentioned, believed to be on the site of house at south corner of Liberty and Eagle streets.
David Estes owned and occupied the house now standing on Centre street, west of J. A. Bond & Bros.' stable. No street was then laid out and only a foot path or lane lead from his house to Eagle street.
Captain Geo. Ray lived in a dwelling near the river bank a little north of the site of Hodge's grist mill.
Josiah Holbrook lived in a log house near the residence of Iv- ory Witt on State street.
Jeremiah Colgrove Sr. resided in a small frame house near the corner of Marshall and Main streets until 1810.
Total number of dwellings in 1704, eleven.
Josiah Holbrook, mentioned above, was a man of giant stature, almost as large boned as the horse he bestrode. He had a voice like thunder, and was remarkably bold and determined in spirit. He was one of the American volunteers at the battle of Benning- ton in 1777, and tradition states that he made prisoners of thirteen of the Hessian soldiers who had wandered from the battle field. He caught them drinking at a spring, seized all their guns and pointing one at them while he shouldered the others, bawled in terrible tones to his imaginary comrads to " Come on, boys ! here they are," drove the whole baker's dozen of mercenaries, like unresisting sheep, into the camp. On being questioned by Gen- eral Stark as to the manner in which such a herd was captured, he replied "I surrounded them, sir." Mr. Holbrook was one of the rebels under Shays in 1786, and marched eastward with several others. After the defeat of that movement and his return home, a party of four troopers tried in vain to arrest him, but he fright- ening them away. He was only captured by a company sur- rounding his house at night, breaking in the door, seizing him and binding him to the bed. He submitted because he could not help it. Gave up all his arms, took the oath of alliegance to the common- wealth, and was released. His name with junior appended, his father being of the same name, appears in the town records
IIISTOKY OF NORTH ADAMS. 21
as one of the rebels who was pardoned by General Lincoln when he marched into this county in 1787. Mr. Holbrook resided in this house for many years, and though it is some 80 rods south of Main street, it was a standing joke among the villagers that Hol- brook's whisper could be distinctly heard by everybody when he was out of doors, while his voice resounded to the top of Hoosac mountain. He had one of those heroic souls set in an iron con- stitution that were well fitted to grapple with the difficulties of a new settlement in a country like this.
The obstacles in the way of conducting business successfully, for want of a circulating medium, were such as to be beyond the com- prehension of the present generation. There was a constant money pressure, equal to that of hydraulic power. There was neither money nor property enough in town to pay the taxes and leave a fair support behind. The rates were abated to a large ex- tent every year. The old Continental money had depreciated so as to be almost worthless. At the close of the war it required $20 of this money to buy a dinner, and $1000 or more to buy a suit of clothes, while the condition of the poor discharged soldiers who were paid off in the miserable shinplasters at their normal value was pitiful indeed.
Oliver Parker, Sr., in 1777 '^got his name up*" for tavern keej)- ing, on the Isreal Jones (now Harrison) place. Soldiers from the east and southeast passed through the town on their way to take Burgoyne in such numbers that Landlord Parker had -almost a captain's company to dinner every day for a while, and they con- sumed four or five beeves per week. Every nook and cranny of the house was filled at night, the barrooms and other floors were pilei thickly with weary soldiers, and even the barn and sheds were appropriated for their use. Hardship and fatigue made sleep sweet on the roughest couch. A large share of these customers would leave no pay for their entertainment, but the Parkers were too staunch Whigs to act penuriously toward the defenders of American liberty. Hotel keeping under these circumstances could not have been a very lucrative business, and the Continental or *^card money"' that was paid in had a sort of imaginary fluctuating value that might make a man the poorer the more he possessed of it. While Oliver Parker sustained the bodies of the soldiers with good fare, whether he made or lost by it, his brothers, Didimus and Ezra, with his nephew Giles, marched to Bennington and shared in the glory of winning that memorable victory. Didimus Parker was a Captain at Bennington.
At a town meeting held January 17, 1786, it was ^^voted that it
22 HISTOEY OF N^ORTH ADAMS.
be recommended to the General Court to pass a law making both real and personal estate a tender." Voted ''that it also be recom- mended to the General Court to strike a paper currency in this, state."
The heavy burden of debt in which most of the towns were in- volved by their aid to the Revolution, the suspension of industrial enterprises and loss of profit therefrom by drawing off so many of the best men for the army, and especially the lack of a uniform circulating medium in which payments of all kinds could be made^. maddened men into violent and lawless demonstrations. Shay's- rebellion was mainly kindled by the oppressive load of taxation and the impossibilities of casting of the load through the courts or Legislature. The state tax imposed on this town was felt to be peculiarly onerous. In one instance it was not paid under four years. At a town meeting held January 0, 1792, Israel Jones was chosen an ''agent to go to the General Court and obtain an abate- ment of the tax laid on the inhabitants of the town in 1788."
Oliver Parker, Sr., was ruined pecuniarily, sent to jail and his bondsmen mulcted, because he could not perform impossibilities — collect the taxes in such hard times. Town meetings without number were held on the great question of "how to raise the wind."" Farmers' produce was accepted for taxes at a stipulated price, the town debts were paid in the same way in 1781, and all the highway taxes were worked out by men and oxen for many years. But even with a general system it was "hard sledding." A great many hon- est, industrious, frugal men were unable to feed their households and satisfy the tax gatherer from the produce of their stony,, stumpy and rudely tilled acres.
At a town meeting held August 2G, 1786, it Avas voted "that the present assessors of this town be a committee to settle with the col-- lectors and make abatements of such taxes as they shall suppose necessary." October 30, 1786, the selectmen were appointed a committee for the same purpose ; but at the same meeting it was^ voted "that the collector collect the town taxes and pay them to the town treasurer immediately, and the town will support him in so doing."
The pressure of poverty was so severe that the town's poor were increasing with undue rapidity, and March 11, 1791, Ezra Parker was instructed by the selectmen "to warn and give notice unto twenty-eight persons," whose names were set down in the warrant,, "the same being laborers or transient persons, as the case may be,, who have lately come to this town for the purpose of abiding there- in, not having obtained the town's consent thereto, that he or she
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 23
depart the limits thereof, with their children and others under their care, if such they have, within fifteen days." The constable makes returns that the warning was given by him in due form to the twenty-eight persons named, and such further legal proceed- ihgs were threatened as will save the town from becoming a pau- pers' nest. The crime of being poor and shiftless was more severely punished in those days than now. No man was allowed to vote unless he owned a freehold estate of the annual income of £3, or some estate to the value of £60.
The river and brooks were nobly stocked with trout at the first settlement here, and before the mills and factories had bewitched the water. The woods afforded considerable game — deer, squirrels, wild fowl, etc. Deer have been shot within the village limits. Bears ranged the mountains, foxes were more numerous than poul- try yards, and wolves were so troublesome that* the town offered a bounty for their heads. Among the early residents there was so much destitution, and yet such a neighborly spirit, that Giles Barnes, who seems to have been a decided wag, said a family would make soup of beef bones one day, pass them to another family next day to be made a second soup of, and so they would go around until the whole settlement had participated.
STORES, TRADING AND BARTER,
CHAPTER IV.
AMONG the meii of this town who were implicated in Shay^s rebellion, in 178G-7, and were pardoned on giving up their arms and taking the oath of allegiance to the Commonwealth, were Joshua Read and Trulove Brewster, traders.
As nearly as can now be ascertained, Joshua Read was a trader at Adams, and probably Trulove Brewster, also. Read was born on a farm in Cheshire. They are alluded to as the only traders men- tioned in the town records prior to 1800, and if they are mentioned as culprits, that only proves their opponents were the strongest. If Shays had succeeded, his movement would have been a * 'glorious Tevolution." There was undoubtedly in this region strong sympa- thy felt for the insurrection, and some of the ''first men" were en- gaged in it.
The first store ever kept within the limits of North Adams, though outside of what are considered village limits, was by Mar* shall Jones. He commenced in 1793, in a shop previously occu- pied by Christopher Penniman as a cabinet shop. Penniman was one of the apprentices who came here from Boston with a Mr. Veazie, before 1789. The shop stood a few rods west of Isreal Jones' house, now Mrs. Harrison's. After a few months Mr. Jones removed to a building which stood near Daniel Wells' present resi- dence, and remained there about two years. His fatlier built the house on Robinson hill, with a store near it, opposite Main street bridge, and the son removed down into the village and continued in trade for several years, until he left town. He had kept store about a year when Chad Brown commenced. The house has un- dergone some alterations since Mr. Jones' time. The store was of a red color, and was torn down some few years ago.
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 25
A couple of men — names and date unknown — came this village and opened the first store for the sale of dry goods near the Main street bridge. They did not keep a large stock nor continue busi- ness more than a month or two. The Williamstown traders kept a better variety and undersold them. In very early times people walked from this place to Williamstown to purchase groceries or teas. Though the roads were terribly rough, and the river had to be forded more than once, the stalwart boys (and frequently the girls) of those days did not shrink from the trip. Indeed, they enjoyed it. Bounding health made severe exercise to our ancestors a pastime. The trade of this town also went to Lanesboro to some extent. Oliver Parker, Sr., brought grain one season from Green- field on horseback, by an Indian path over Hoosac mountain, and a 2^art of it was carried to Williamstown to be ground at the "Krig- ger mills,'" fording the river three times to get there. These mills had a great reputation.
The first store for the sale of groceries in this village was kept by William Farrand, near his house. He hauled the goods from Bos- ton by ox-teams, and therefore kept but a limited stock, perhaps one or two loads. He sold a l)ushel of salt to Captain Shippee of Clarksburg for $10 I To say that a man was *^'not worth the salt for his porridge" could not be considered in those times a very se- vere slur, especially if he ate porridge with a wood-chopper's appe- tite, for the salt was the most expensive ingredient.
Sutton & Wells, in 1 795, opened and kept a store for the sale of merchandise, in a shop-like building near or adjoining the Corliss House, now the site of the Richmond House.
Marshall Jones, in 1800, having returned to town, built the house and store (now standing) on the hill west of Main street bridge. This building is now converted into a tenement house. Mr. Jones kept store there for several years. The building is still substantial looking.
Chad Brown sold goods in a small building located about on the corner of Bank and Main streets. Mr. Brown was a man of fair capacity, and was elected Town Clerk in 1802, which office he held for four years. He finally removed to South Adams, which was then the larger and more thriving settlement, and supposed to afford the best field for Yankee shrewdness in bargaining.
A grocery store was kept where the J. H. Adams block now stands, on Main street.
Dr. James Cummings, in 1803, built a house, with store in front, and sold general merchandise on the site of the building, east of L. W. White's jewelry store. This store was afterward occupictl by
26 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
William E. Brayton as the National Express office and flour and grocery store. The old store on this site was kept after Dr. Cum- mings by Henry Remmington, also by Tinker & Brayton. Dr. Cummings was a man who combined worldly wisdom with religious zeal in such proportions as gave him great influence in the commu- nity. He was a conspicuous member of the Baptist church, or- ganized here in 1808.
Captain Carter kept groceries for sale on Eagle street, in the brick building afterward well known as the ''brick meat market,' which was near the site of the Catholic church.
Dr. Cummings, in 1810, purchased the house and lot on Church street on the site of S. Blackinton's residence, and soon after built a store in front of the house then located there. The store stood very near the corner. About the year 182G the store was removed down Main street, and was afterward owned and occupied by James Brolly as a store, though it was completely remodeled in 1858.
W. E. Brayton, in 1822, built a store and carried on the mercan- tile business. It is the same building now occupied by Dr. H. J. Millard as a drug store on Main street. It is said Mr. Brayton would refuse to take butter into the store at ten cents per pound and pay for the same in goods at a handsome profit, there being no home market for the article and much uncertainty in sending it to the cities.
Edward Richmond, in 1825, erected a store and kept it on the site of where G. & C. W. Billings' store now is on Main street.
Ezra D. Whitaker, in 1825, erected the store, which he stil^ owns, which is occupied by L. Childs, and followed merchandizing therein, opposite the Berkshire House.
J. Q. Robinson & Son, about 1827, built a store on their lot, cor- ner of ^Main and Marshall streets, and carried on trade for many years. They had previously done an extensive business at South Adams.
The tide of enterprise was now beginning to flow a little more strongly in this part of the town.
About 1816 J. Q. Robinson, Esq., then extensively engaged in merchandizing in Adams, opened a store in what is now the middle of State street, between the Richmond House and Martin block. The building was removed to Marshall street and converted into a shoe shop, now forming a barn in rear of B. F. Robinson's house* Nehemiah Allen, afterward Judge Allen, kept this store as a clerk for Mr. Robinson, about one year, with a fair stock of goods.
In 1826, Caleb B. Turner built and occupied a brick store at the
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 27
corner of Eagle and Union streets. This was the first store on Eagle street, and was then the best built one in the village.
From 1778, when Adams was first incorporated, to 1827, nearly half a century, all the stores which had been kept in the village at different times numbered only thirteen. In 1825 there were only five stores, kept by the following persons : Dr. James Cummings, W. E. Brayton, Edward Richmond, Ezra D. Whitaker and Michael Cheesbro.
The early and long-continued scarcity of money necessitated a general system of bartering. The tradesmen and farmers went *^swap, swap, swapping,^' everywhere and in almost everything. Most of the circulation was silver and copper coin, and an old- fashioned *'ninepence," now so rarely seen, but then one of the most common pieces, looked nearly as large in the eyes of many persons as the pewter platters from whicli they ate their frugal meals. Money was most emphatically a ^^cash article.^' No bank of issue was in operation nearer than Troy or Northampton, the first bank in Berkshire county, the Agricultural of Pittsfield, not being chartered until 1818, and the Greenfield bank not until 1822. A man with $25 in his pocket was looked upon as a citizen glori- ously favored by the goddess of fortune. The usual resort for many years of those who were compelled to raise so small a sum as $10 for immediate use was to sell a promissory note to one of their more wealthy neighbors at Williamstown. I'here were no capital- ists here. Every man was actively conducting business and mak- ing each dollar of his profits earn him another dollar as quickly as possible. He had seldom any money to lend, or rather he consid- ered it more advantageous to invest his small funds in his own business than to loan the same to others, and was therefore apt to be '^short.'^ Whether or not it is creditable to own up to such tight squeezes, we are stating nothing but^what our old residents will recognize as facts. They deserve to be told for the benefit of many of the present day, who, as they scatter change and display bank notes with a lavish hand, seem apparently to have not the slightest appreciation of the toils, anxiety and self-denial that weighed down the lives of the early settlers.
Capt. Edward Richmond came to this village in the year 1803. Only two stores were then kept here, one by Marshall Jones, on the hill west of Main street bridge, and the other by Dr. Jas. Cummings, in a building he had just erected on the site of where Dr. H. J. Millard's drug store now is.
English calicos were sold at 50 to 75 cents per yard ; Bohea tea, 75 cents per pound ; molasses, 67 to 75 cents per gallon ; cut nails,
28 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
12 1-2 to 17 cents per pound. Calicos were sold at an earlier date, also during the war of 1812 and 1815, when importation was stopped, for $1 per yard, the quality not being superior to 10 cent goods of the present day. As late as 1825, English calicos sold from 30 to 42 cents per yard. Only six yards of goods were re- quired in those days to make a lady^'s dress.
In 1803, and for a number of years after, the wages of a farm laborer were 180 to $100 per year. Mechanics' wages, including board, II per day. The ten hour system was not in vogue in those days, and carpenters were obliged to work during the long summer days from as early in the morning as they could see the head of a hammer Aintil as late at night as they could see the head of a nail.
Corn and rye sold from 42 to 50 cents per bushel ; oats from 20 to 25 ; pork from $3.a0 to $4; beef, $2.50 to $4 per cwt. ; prime cows, in spring, 115 to ^20 ; the best horses, $80. Mountain land adjacent to the village was not salable ; $1 per acre was the highest price asked. About the year 1828 or '30, William Bradford bought .200 acres of valuable wood land on Bald, mountain, northwest of the village, for $1 per acre- There were but few owners of real estate in the early settlement of the village, and no particular inducement for speculation either in the fertility of the soil or the rapid development of business. This was a narrow field for speculators or trading men. The scarcity of cash made swapping, bartering or credit necessary in almost every kind of large transaction, and when real estate •changed hands, it was generally by bargains of the above charac- ter. As an illustration of this Yankee characteristic may be men- tioned George Whitman, an excellent citizen, a kind neighbor, and a man of honor and integrity in his dealings. He was one of our most conspicuous ^'trading men." Being of rather infirm bodily health, he had to rely on his brains rather than his muscles for a livelihood. His widow related the following curious facts .relative to her husband's buying, selling and oftimes removing :
From 1807 to 1829 he owned eleven different dwellings and lots, and removed fifteen timas. Sometimes she would move into a liouse, and before getting her gjoods in and fairly unpacked and settled her husband would make another trade, and the summons would come to remove again I Mr. Whitman owned at various times four farms, the entire lot of land now forming the Union, large lots of land in Clarksburg and Florida. He traded a farm for the Mansion House in Williamstown, traded that for a saw mill iind land, and the last trade before his decease was for the valuable
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 29
farm and quarry adjoining this village on the southwest, and now- owned by Ivory Witt.
It is believed that up to the year 1825 no man settled here with as much as $2000 cash capital ; consequently! the growth of the place was exceedingly slow, and even that slow growth was inter- fered with by the fluctuating tariff policy of the federal govern- ment, which knocked about our early manufacturing enterprises like shuttlecocks.
WOOL CARDING, CLOTH FULLINO ANDJdRESSING.
About the year 1798-9, the first cloth dressing was done in North Adams by one Eoger Wing from Connecticut. The fulling mill was put into Captain Colgrove's grist mill, and the finishing was done in a small building near where Burlingame & Darby's store now is. About 1801 a carding machine was also put into Captain Colgrove's grist mill.
In 1801 David Estes, having constructed a dam across the north branch, erected the first buildings in town for carding wool and dressing cloth. They stood on the site of the Estes factory. Roger Wing carried on the clothier's business successfully in the above named buildings five or six years. He also kept a hotel in the old portion of the ^^Blaek tavern.'* About 1804 he sold the tavern stand to Bethuel Finney, Esq., and removed with his clothier's machinery to Granville, N. Y.
In 1804 Captain J. Colgrove, like a true man of business, not liking to see a vacancy unimproved, erected, for the purpose of w^ool carding, cloth fulling and dressing, a two-story building — now standing on the east bank of the Hoosac river, the first dwelling north of Hodges' grist mill. He procured new machinery, and a large share of Wing's custom flowed to the establishment. About half of each season, from May to November, was devoted to card- ing * 'rolls" for the active, strong-armed housewives to spin, while in the remainder, or winter months of the year, the cloth dressing was fully performed. The business was carried on by Captain Colgrove for fifteen years at this mill. He was subjected to the disadvantage of no previous knowledge of the business. He also had an untiring, close-calculating competitor in David Estes.
EARLY INDUSTRIES.
CHAPTER Y.
BLACKSMITH SHOPS.
IN 1794 Joseph Darby built a blacksmith shop and set u]) a trip-hammer, probably the first in North Adams. It was lo- cated on the notch road, above Daniel Wells' residence, about two rods from the stream that flows down the notch. Mr. Darby made scythes, saws, axes, hoes, steelyards, etc. The iron was brought from Sailsbury, Conn. Emigrant parties passed through here fre- quently bound for the " Great West," which was then western New York, and Mr. Darby did many jobs for them in iron work, such as traps, cow bells, etc., besides repairing their vehicles and shoe- ing their horses. It was then a more dreadful undertaking to move to the shores of Lake Erie than it now is to move to the shores of the Pacific. Adventurous men, who in those days went 300 or 400 miles into the wilderness to settle, where war parties of Indians still roamed, were regarded with the same admiration for their bravery that Captain John Brown and the heroes of freedom were who emigrated to Kansas to save that lovely territory from the foul curse of slavery.
Captain Colgrove built the first blacksmith shop within our vil- lage limits in 1795. It stood near the corner of Pearl and Main streets.
David Darling built the second blacksmith shop in 1802, where the Wilson House now stands. Mr. Darling was a kind neighbor, a man of decision, with a strong sense of justice, though plain and unassuming in his ways. On a certain occasion, the use of the vil- lage church having been denied by two or three of its self-consti- tuted guardians to a Universalist preacher, though it was built by the contributions of men of different religious beliefs, Mr. Darling
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 31
(who kept the key) declared tl^at it was the agreement and under- standing that the church should be opened to any respectable preacher whom the people ^wished to hear, when not occupied by the Baptist society, and hq would open it to the Universalist. He was as good as his w^ord, and the Word according to Universalism was preached perhaps for the first time in our village.
Joseph Darby, having .previously moved to this village, in 1810 built the third shop, near the corner of Main and Eagle streets, which site is now occupied by the Baptist church. Mr. Darby sold this stand to George Darling, who carried on ah extensive business until his death, in 1839.
CARPENTER SHOPS.
During the early years of this village no carpenter shops existed. The most imp':*rtant class of mechanics worked by the day or month, as they now do. They performed their labor either in the building which was being erected or in a shed near by. Carpenters and joiners' labor was then much more laborious than at present, as the tools >ere of English make, coarse and clumsy, and only a few of them. s'The pod auger and gouge were used, the screw auger not having been invented. Circular saws, planing and mor- tising mac^hlnes and all other contrivances for saving the human muscle and rushing jobs through were then unknown.
Gideon; Mixer in 1805 made a venture and built an addition to his house, then standing near where Mrs. Frank Colgrove resides, on Churcli street. This addition Mr. Mixer opened as the first regular carpenter shop in North Adams.
Jonathan Torrey, in 1809, settled here and opened a carpenter shop, which he carried on for years.
Cyrus Burlingame, father of S. Burlingame, commenced busi- ness in the basement of the old brick factory in 1812. He after- ward occupied a part of Captain Colgrove's grist mill.
Esek Paine, about the year 1814, carried on carpentering here.
Stukeley Weaver, about the year 1815, established himself as a carpenter in a building near the grist mill of Captain Colgrove.
COOPER SHOPS.
Cooperage must have become an extensive pursuit here as early as 1815. When orchards had multiplied and bore abundantly cider was pressed on almost every farm, and became the common beverage of almost everybody. Plenty of pine and oak lumber for barrel, c^sk, tub and firkin staves then grew near the village. All the labor was done by hand.
Peter Carver made the first drive in the hoop line by commenc-
32 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
ing cooperage, about the year 1800, in a small building near where the American House now stands on Main street.
Paul Stafford opened a cooper shop about 1803.
Martin Salisbury, in 1809, opened a shop near Ivory Witt's, on State street.
Several other shops were established prior to 1820. About that year Joel Fosket had a shop on Eagle street, which was afterward removed to Main street.
BRICK YARDS.
Among the men who were implicated in Shay's rebellion, in 1786-7, we find recorded the name of * 'George Thresher, brick- maker. '^ He was pardoned and allowed to resume his business having failed in threshing the state government. It cannot be told whether he carried on business in the north or south village. At the March meeting in 1792, Jonathan Remington was chosen ''^sealer of brick moulds'' for the town of Adams, showing that brick were then manufactured to a sufficient amount to require such an officer. The business was also carried on near the residence of Mr. Harrison, as many tokens of that branch of industry have been found there.
About the year 1800 Baker Jones established a brick yard just to the north and east of where the Freeman Print Works now stand. The brick for the old factory on Marshall street were made here. It was carried on by various individuals until the year 1825, when Benjamin F. Hathaway and Evenel Estes assumed the management of the yard. After a few years they were succeed- ed by Benjamin and James Hathaway, who were in turn succeeded by Benjamin Franklin Hathaway, who run the yard alone for a number of years. In 1859 he sold out to the firm of Homer & Hall, who conducted the yard until 1861, when their lease ran out and the property reverted to the owner. After the expiration of the lease in '61 the sheds were destroyed and a building which stood on the eastern side of the property was moved down Union street and converted into a tenement, which is laid down as 32 Union street.
SADDLE AND HARNESS MAKERS.
Henry Evans established himself here in the above business about the year 1800. His shop was on the east side of Eagle street, near the site of Cody & Carpenter's warehouse.
James Damon, about the year 1810, opened a shop on Main street, and afterward removed to Eagle street.
Levi W. Sterns, about 1826, opened a shop on Main street.
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 33
WAGON AND SLEIGH MAKERS.
Thomas Dickinson opened the first regular wagon shop in 1798, about twenty rods north of the Eagle bridge.
Samuel Brown commenced wagon making about 1808 on Eagle street. In 1812 he built a shop on Centre street, which was after- ward altered into a dwelling.
Dudley Loveland occupied a dwelling and had a wagon shop oa the site of J. H. Adams' block, Main street.
From the best information that can be obtained it appears that, no kind of wagon springs were in use in this town until the year 1808, when Shubael Wilmarth, Sr., iiurchased of the New Lebanon. Shakers a two-horse pleasure wagon, paying for it $84, having what was termed * '^spring seats." These springs were of the simplest possible construction, being two pieces of ash timber, one on each, side, bolted to a bed-piece in the wagon box. They run up at an angle of about 30 degrees, the seat being placed on them. Tho spring was imparted by the elasticity of the timber, and two per- sons found them easier riding than one. Similar springs are seea at this day on team wagons, but they are not considered ^'first- class," as they were eighty years ago.
CABINET makers' SHOPS.
The first cabinet maker's shop was established about 1788 by a Mr. Veazie from Boston, and was located where the schoolhouse stands in the Braytonville district.
Christopher Penniman had a shop near the present residence of Mrs. Bradford Harrison.
About 1800 Mr. Isbell had a shop within the village limits.
In 1806 Christopher Penniman had a shop and kept the turnpike gate, located about at the entrance to the fair grounds.
In 1824 Daniel Remington opened a shop in a small building on the south side of Main street, near the corner of Pearl.
In 1827 John Krigger started a shop on the north side of Main street, nearly opposite the one above mentioned.
In 1830 Ezra Ingraham and William Shattuck opened a shop on Eagle street. Mr. Shattuck sold out and moved to Williamstown. E. Ingraham, and the firm of Ingraham, Isbell & Dewey afterward conducted the business. This shop was in a wooden building, now standing, just south of the Catholic church.
In 1847 Cyrus P. Isbell located on Eagle street, where his indus- try and accommodating spirit secured him a liberal patronage.
D. S. «&; J. H. Adams succeeded E. Ingraham in 1852 at the stand on the corner of Eagle and Morth Church streets. Being
34 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
enterprising and trustworthy young men, their business increased, and they became favorably known throughout this region, especial- ly as undertakers. They continued the partnership until the death of D. S. Adams, when J. H. bought his brother's interest- and has since conducted the business alone.
WATER AVORKS, PUMPS AND LEAD PIPE.
Oliver Parker, in 1808, began pump making and the boring and laying of logs for water works. His shop was on the site of the present residence of A. H. Potter, No. 87 Eagle street. The manufacture of lead pipe began here about 1823. Up to 1859-60 Oliver Parker still continued the business on Brooklyn street, and had a machine for making lead pipe. Being a reading man, and of mechanical skill, he was well posted on all matters pertaining to hydraulic uses. He was as ready to lay a pipe as to make it, solely ior the public benefit, however.
STONE CUTTING AND MARBLE MANUFACTURE.
All the stone cutting done here in early years was for grave- stones and a few facings of underpinnings, mantel pieces, fire jams and hearthstones for the better class of dwellings. All tenements and stores then had fireplaces, stoves being almost unknown. The -stone cutting of olden times was done in rather a coarse, rude ananner, by inexperienced men, who were employed occasionally.
About 1810 Solomon Sherman, a good workman, commenced the business of stone cutting here for home trade. He was suc- <;eeded by Manson Sherman.
About 1830 Elijah Pike, an ingenious workman, followed this calling. As the quality of North Adams marble became known a wider market was secured, and in 1835 Mr. Pike was aided with capital by Dr. E. S. Hawks, and commenced the first regular opera, tions at the quarry below the natural bridge.
In 1848 the North Adams Marble and Lime Company was incor- porated with a capital of 175,000, and it continued for a number of years, turning out a large amount of building stone, chimney pieces, window caps, sills, etc., for the New York and western markets. Mr, L, B. Graves was the resident partner.
D. R. Allen and A. B. Hosley commenced the marble business at the quarry in April, 1855. They opened a shop on Eagle street, north of River, in the spring of 1856, and acquired an excellent reputation.
HAT MANUFACTURERS AND HAT STORES.
Charles Peck and Henry Crittenden commenced the business of
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 35
maimfactiiring hats about the year 1804 in a building demolished about the year 1855, and which was located near the residence of H. Clay Bliss, No, 69 Eagle street. Hat making was there carried on quite extensively for many years, and the product was retailed, fur- nished to order, or carried to Troy and Albany to be disposed of to country merchants. Peck & Crittenden were afterward succeeded by Alvin Crittenden and Samuel G. Noyes.
Enoch Chase purchased the premises and succeeded the above named gentlemen in the same business about 1816. He retailed hats and made them to order for many years, until the new inven- tions and cheaper methods of manufacture in the large cities made competition with them out of the question.
About 1816 Solomon Bulkley made and sold hats in a building on Main street.
The first store for the sale of hats in North Adams was opened by D. C. Corey, about 1830, in a small building near the residence of E. D. Whitaker, No. 52 Main street.
William Ferguson built and opened a hat store on Eagle street, about 1835, in a building, since burned, which stood on the lot adjoining E. Ingraham's flour store, or about on the site of the building occupied by Tower & Porter at No. 20 Eagle street.
Theodore Hastings, in 1840, commenced the hat, cap and fur trade in the building now standing on the corner of Main and Bank streets, known as the stone ofRce. He continued the busi- ness in town until his death.
TAILOR SHOPS.
The first regular tailor in North Adams was a Mr. Thomas, a Welchman.
Spaulding Harvey opened a tailor's shop about 1815.
In 1817 James Estes opened a shop on Main street, and carried on an extensive business.
About 18'47 Alexander F. Ashley had a shop in the small front part attached to the Widow Bradford's dwelling on Main street, now the site of Bradford's block.
In 1828 Levi Randall opened a tailor's shop in the second story of a store on Main street, occupying the present site of the Wilson House,
FORGE FOE MAKING WROUGHT IRON.
About 1799 Dickinson & Brown erected a forge for making wrought iron from the ore. This forge was built up the stream from Eagle street bridge, about half way between that and Union street bridge. Benjamin Sibley, one of the early settlers of the
36 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
village, who was quite a trading man in real estate, and one of the original owners and builders of the Eagle factory, was in some way connected with the early operations of this forge. The ore was procured from Cheshire, Adams, some from Stamford, and from various other places. It made a good quality of iron, but owing to some cause — perhaps the cost of transporting the raw ma- terial— -it did not pay very well.
At a later period, about the vear 1801 to 1804, during the opera- tion of the forge by Mr. Brown, he used some ore, mixing it with pig iron brought from Salisbury, Ct., and turned out excellent wrought iron. This was called refining. The business was super- intended by Edward Witherell, practical iron- maker. The wrought iron business at this time paid well, from the fact that the product commanded $140 per ton. Subsequently these works passed into the hands of a Mr. Sprague, who undertook to make iron from the ore ; but owing either to the poor quality of the material, which was hauled in the winter, or a decline in the price of the product, or some depressing cause, it entirely failed.
The town in its history can boast of having had three trip-ham- mer shops. The first opened was that of Joseph Darby's, on the road to the notch, and which has been described on a previous page of this work. The next was erected about the year 1800, on the site of what was afterward the Cupola furnace, on or near the present site of the Freeman Print Works. About 1828 Giles Tinker had a trip-hammer shop near his machine shop, occupying the present site of Hodges' grist mill.
FIRST CUPOLA FURNACE.
About 1817 Loring Darby of this village and Buel Norton of Bennington fitted up for a cupola furnace the building which had previously been erected for a trip-hammer shop, on or near the site of the Freeman Print Works. The building was afterward used in connection with the print works under Caleb Turner.
Darby & Norton made iron castings for mill gearing and machinery, and sold the same from six to eight cents per pound. Iron machinery was then coming into more general use, from the increased skill in its construction and the development of cotton and woolen manufacturing, as confidence began to revive from the effects of the then late war with Great Britain, were made of foreign goods in order to break down our infant efforts at home manufacture. In consequence of this American industry w^s paralyzed to some extent for a certain period.
But very few stoves were then in use or even manufactured,
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 37
and these were principally cooking stoves of inconvenient and clumsy shape. Some kinds were made at the cupola furnace of Darby & Norton, such as box stoves and cooking stoves, nearly square, with two ovens, one above the other, and boiler holes on top. The plates were very thick, and held together by rods and nuts. This cupola furnace, after being in operation a short time, stopped- — it did not pay. Scarcely any branch of manufacturing was permanently profitable then. Capital, labor-saving machinery and ease of transportation were all lacking, and the factory kings of Great Britain spared no effort to crush our republican enter- prises. They were aided in this scheme by narrow-minded legis- lators, as they have often been in more recent days.
About 18^6 Otis Hodge, Jr., purchased the above premises, and, in connection with William E. Brayton, carried on an extensive business for some two years in the manufacture of machine and plow castings — the latter of which was rapidly coming into use. The aggregate value of the castings made the last year was about $5000. The real estate was soon purchased by Caleb B. Turner.
The first regular machine shop in this village, and probably the first in the county, was started by Giles Tinker in 1811, in a por- tion of what was known as the '^old yellow building,^' which stood at about the centre of the Davenport block, on the south side of Main street. This building was enlarged by Mr. Tinker three dif- ferent times. Here all the machinery for the old brick factory was made. Mr. Tinker continued the business for several years in this shop, doing his own forging and brass casting. Most of th6 machinery was of wood, and the iron work was wrought instead of cast. Loring Darby was foreman of the shop for many years. In 1825 the business had become so extended and the need of water so great that Mr. Tinker purchased of Captain Colgrove a lot and mill privilege near the Main street bridge. In 1828 Mr. Tinker erected a brick building for preparing his own castings. It stood east of and near his machine shop, on the present site of Hodges' grist mill.
After Mr. Tinker's decease, in 1832, Alanson Cady and Loring Darby, both practical machinists, hired the furnace and machine shop and carried on the same. Afterwards Mr. Cady rented the furnace alone, and made castings. It was also hired and run four years by William Ilodgkins. Finally the whole property came into the hands of James E. Marshall. In 1847 the furnace building was taken down.
Caleb B. Turner (afterward Turner & Laflin) in 1831 com- menced a machine shop in the building known as the Gould mill.
38 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
which was built and designed for a cotton mill, located on the site of Dickinson & Brown^s forge, previously mentioned. The first considerable lot of machinery built was for the Slater mill at the Union, then being built by Hodges, Sanford & Co., and which forms the east end of the Eclipse mill. The contract to build this machinery by the job was taken of C. B. Turner by William Hall and Samuel Wilson. Mr. Hall was an experienced and very in- genious iron worker, having recently come from Patterson, N. J., and he introduced many important improvements. S. Wilson of Adams executed the wood work. Large quantities of machinery was turned out, until in 1835 the Gould mill was again devoted to manufacturing. About this time most manufacturers found it ad- vantageous to connect a repair shop with their mills, and some of them constructed portions of their own machinery.
In the fall of 1847 James Hunter bought the patterns, tools, etc., of the foundry of Mason B. Green, then located in front of the Phoenix mill. In the spring of 1848 David Temple and Abel Wetherbee bought an interest, and the business was conducted under the firm name of James Hunter & Co. During the summer of that year they started, in connection with this foundry at North Adams, another at Adams. During the winter of 1848-9 Mr. Temple withdrew from the firm, taking the Adams property.
In 1849 James Hunter and Abel Wetherbee purchased the house and lot near Main street bridge. The land where the furnace now stands was then a low marsh ; they filled it up and erected a foundry building 76x40 feet and two stories high. The whole out- lay was about $3500. Mr. Wetherbee sold his interest the same year to Daniel and Stillman M. Thayer. In 1850 Joseph D. Clark purchased a part of James Hunter^s interest, and the firm was known as Hunter, Thayer & Co. They run a grist mill for a short time, then displaced it, putting in a planing machine and made boxes. In 1855 the planing machine was removed, in order that the machine shop might be started. This was started on a small scale, having only one engine and one drilling lathe. In the same year, in connection with the furnace and other business, they erected a store for the sale of merchandise, and kept also a general assortment of bar iron, steel, etc. In 1856 Daniel Thayer sold his interest to the other partners. In 1857 J. D. Clark and S. M. Thayer sold their interest to James E. Hunter and Martin C. Jewett. The firm became James Hunter & Co.
The business has gradually increased until, in 1885, it is the largest foundry in the county, and one of the largest in the state, the firm being known as James Hunter & Son.
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 39^
In 1847 AVilliam Hodgkins purchased 1 1-2 acres of land and erected a brick building near the present site of the Troy & Green- field freight house, on State street. Machine castings and ploughs were manufactured. Mr. Hodgkins carried on business here about five years, when a mortgage which was on the property was fore- closed and he was obliged to retire. When the Troy & Boston Railroad run in here, about 1859, they utilized this building as an engine house, and it continued to be used as such until 1872, when. it was demolished.
ROADS AND STREETS.
CHAPTER VI.
ONE of the oldest roads in the county is that which now comes over Florida mountain, dow^n Church Hill, forming our Main street and on to Willianistown. This must have been a trail or road previous to the year 1744, as Fort Massachusetts was built in that year, and a road of some kind was an actual necessity to the settlers. In the grant of 200 acres of land given Captain Williams in 1750, which grant included the fort, one stipulation was that he shall ''be required to keep an open highway two rods wide, on the northerly side of said fort, leading towards Albany. In 1746 Samuel Rice petitioned for a grant of 200 acres, on condition that he ''build a new and better road over the Hoosac mountain." The almost insurmountable difficulties which attended the making of the first roads in this town have already been alluded to. Such enormous tree stumps, formidable boulders, rapid running streams and up and down hill routes were enough to discourage any men excepting those who did not know of such a word as "impossible." Most of the roads were built over the hills instead of around them for the reason that the early settlements were on the uplands and the roads must run past the houses. The meadows on the Hoosac river were frequently overflowed (especially in South Adams and Cheshire) and it was considered unsafe to settle near the stream. The highways were therefore built and maintained with heavy labors and expense, running as they did on unfavorable routes. Stump machines, like those now in use were not then invented, though some of the ingenius mechanics, like Capt. Colgrove and Charles Peck contrived means for "snaking" out ugly stumps, with a moderate expenditure of muscular strength and at a saving of whisky and hard work.
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 41
At the first regular town meeting in Adams, March 8, 1779, it was voted to raise 100 pounds to make and repair highways. Eight persons were chosen highway surveyors, and they acted in districts, — the village from Furnace hill to the top of Iloosac mountain forming one district. In 1780 the highway tax was 120 pounds and the number of surveyors was increased to 13 ; in 1781 the tax went up to 200 pounds. In 1795, the roads having been built to a convenient extent, the tax for repairing was only £160 and the number of surveyors was 15. Among them was Jeremiah Colegrove, Sr., whose name now appears for the first time in the town records, it being about a year after his arrival in town. He was a most efficient, practical and thorough road worker, and possessed the faculty of inspiring other men with his own industry. In 1806 the road tax had risen to $1200, or nearly four times as much as the first year. This sum was all paid in labor and mater- ials. Eighty-three cents a day was allowed (in 1779 it was just half as much) for the labor of a man, and the same for a span of horses or a yoke of oxen. The town records contain many surveys of the roads, some in almost every year. July 1, 1782, a town meeting was held for the special purpose of considering certain proposed alterations in the road. In 1785, no less than twenty- one surveyors of highways were elected, showing that there must have been an uncommon amount of road making. In 1786 the highway surveyors were done away with, for the town **Voted that the Selectmen See to the Laying out the money Voted on the roads to the best Advantage."
In 1794 the main roads leading into and out of the village wore the same as now, with three exceptions, as follows:
First, The road from Eagle street through the Union to Clarks- burg, which was opened as far as the Union in 1832 and continued to Clarksburg afterwards. Messrs. Burke, Ingalls and Wells, O. and H. Arnold and Gad Smith offered to build the upper Union bridge if the town would lay the road up there and build the lower bridge. This was done against considerable opposition, some persons saying that the scheming manufacturers would build a mill on some stream and then request the town to make roads and bridges for them; and we shall all be ruined if such policy prevail.
Second, The old Clay road was the first road to the Union, and must have been opened as early as 1780 to reach the mills of Oliver Parker.
Third, State street was not laid out from Main south to Ivory Witt^s residence until 1833. Previous to this time the west road to the South village passed over the Main street bridge and along
42 HISTORY OF NORTH ADA31S.
the track of the Troy & Boston railroad, over Hickey hill, joining- the present road near Mr. Witt's.
No buildings were erected on the old road south of the bridge until 1825, excepting a potashery by Marshall Jones, about the year 1800, about where George Billings" house now stands.
The main travelled road north from the village in 1794 was over Church hill and out on to Eagle street through North Church. No street was then open from Main to the north east corner of Centre, comprising what is now the business portion of Eagle: street. About the year 18U0, Captain Colgrove, Avho owned the land, commenced using it as a private way for lumber hauling,., etc., and in tht course of time he presented it to the town for a public highway. The first house in the southern part of Eagle street was built in 1806 by Joseph Darby, on the site of George Millard's residence. The street soared aloft at such a rate that at one time she rivaled Main, but the tide turned and Main is and always will be the street of the town.
In 1806, — about which time ..Iain street was cleared of its un- sightly stumps, excepting one that tormented pedestrians up to 1858, — the whole street south of Main, embracing what is now Summer, Quincy and Chestnut streets, was a pasture very much overgrown with brush and it remained exclusively tilling land from 1814 to 1834.
In 1829 the population of the whole town of Adams, both villages, was about 2500; in 1820 it was 1836. Of North Adams In 1829 the probable population was 1000. This village then con- tained three churches, seven factory buildings, seven stores, two taverns, one printing office, one furnace, two blacksmith shops^ one tin shop, two cabinet makers shops, six shoe makers, one jewelers shop, three milliners, two tailors, one hatter, two saddlers and harness makers, two wagon makers, three carpenters, four physicians, two lawyers, and sundry mechanics without shops.. The number of dwelling houses all told, was 87, occupied by 105 families.
The present road to the Union from Eagle street was laid out in 1832 and in 1833 it was continued through the Beaver to the Clarksburg line. Previous to 1826 there was not a building of any kind in the Union proper. It was a stony, brush pasture.
River street (including Johnson's ground) was laid out in 1832. The first building erected was the stone factory and the dwellings- adjoining on the east.
State street was laid out in 1833, Summer street in 1834, most of the land belonging to the estate of Giles Tinker, Esq., and had
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 43
been used for farming purposes. The land was cut up into one- fourth acre lots, the price paid being from $150 to 8200. L. W. Stearns erected the first house, the same now occupied by E. R. Tinker, which has been twice remodeled since it was first ^erected.
Quincy street was laid out in 1842, the land belonging to Cap- tain Richmond. Lots sold from $125 to $150. George Millard built the first house in 1842, the same one greatly enlarged and improved, now owned and occupied by Wm. Burton,
Hold en street was laid out in 1844, the land formerly belonging^ to the estate of Caleb B. Turner. The portion lying north of (Center street was purchased by Dr. E. S. Hawks and John Hoi- den, in 1842. Mrs. W. M. Mitchell built the first house in 1843, which is still standing on the north west corner of Centre and Holden.
Chestnut street was laid out in 1849, the land belonging to G. W. Bradford. The lots sold from $200 to $300.
Eagle street, from Main to Center, was laid out in 1805, having previous to this been used as a lane.
Center street in 1815, having also been used as a lane by E. Estes, from his residence to Eagle street.
Morris street in 1860, although it had previously been a private way.
EARLY STAGE LINES.
The first stage which passed through this village for the con- veyance of mails and passengers, was established about the year 1814, by a Mr. Phelps of Greenfield, the citizens of this town subscribing for the enterprise. The stage ran once a week from Greenfield and Albany, via Williamstown, Hancock and Sand Lake, bringing our people into direct communication with the trade centers. The first vehicle used was an uncovered two horse wagon,, with the body suspended on leather springs.
The line proving successful several citizens became interested in the enterprise, the line being owned in sections and introducing- better equipages. Col. Wm. Waterman, who for several years, owned and kept the Berkshire House, became a large owner in the line, which ere long made two and finally three trips a week, by which it was intended to carry travellers through from Boston to Albany in forty-eight hours. Many changes in ownership occurred up to the year 1825, and in 1827 Arthur Putney of this village became connected for a short time with the line over Hoosac mountain. Jenks Kimbell bought Mr. Putney's interest and became, eventually, the most extensive and successful stage proprietor and livery stable keeper in Berkshire county.
SCHOOL HOUSES AND CHURCHES.
CHAPTER VII.
THE first schoolhouse opened in this village, according to recol- lections of our oldest inhabitant, was kept in the porch of the old meeting house on Church hill, about the year 1800. Miss Re- becca Morse was the teacher. As the building was not then under- pinned, the tinkling of sheep bells was often heard underneath, and could not have tended to promote the studious habits of the pupils.
A school was afterwards kept, in summer, in a small building on Main street, where Burlingame & Darby's store now stands. The few inhabitants probably felt unable at first to build a school- house in addition to the heavy burdens they were obliged to bear, but they manifested the characteristic New England love of educa- tion and desire to give their children advantages for instruction. This was made apparent by the erection of a very comfortable^ good-sized frame schoolhouse in 1802, on the brink of the hill west of the Baptist church. The entire village, and much adjacent territory, was comprised in one school district for nearly forty years afterwards. Many facts in regard to the school appropria- tions appeared on the old town records. December 31, 1782, it was ''voted to raise the sum of £3 for the support of a grammar school for the ensuing year.'' August 17, 1783, the same amount was voted for a grammar school. At the March meeting, 1785, it was " Voted, that £150 be raised for the support of the schools of the town." This allowance was so liberal, or the people were so economical, that it was not nearly all used ; for at the town meet- ing of April 3, 1786, it was ''Voted, that the money granted last year for the use of schools and not laid out be appropriated to the same use this year."
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 45
The question of school districts now came up, and proved a stumbling block for several years. At the last named meeting it was *^ Voted, that the Selectmen and Assessors of the town divide the town into proper districts." But they were slack or disobedi- ent, for nearly three years afterward, June 13, 1789, it was "Voted, that the Selectmen divide this town into proper districts for schools." May 11, 1789, a committee of thirteen was appointed to advise with the Selectmen *'upon just methods to divide the town into school districts." May 3, 1790, the people getting im- patient at the slow movements of such a large body, the " Select- men and committee appointed on division of the town into school districts were instructed immediately to report." A very liberal construction was put on the word '^immediately" by the public servants, for no record is made of their report until May 9, 1791, upwards of a year. It was then ''Voted, to accept the report of the committee appointed to divide the town into school districts agreeable to their plan." At the town meeting in 1791 £100 was "raised for the support of free schools," to be paid in produce at certain stipulated prices, ani apportioned according to the num- ber of children in each district.
April 1, 1793, it was "Voted, that the interest of. the rent or sale of the school lands in this town be appropriated to the use of schools only." A committee of three was appointed to investigate — Israel Jones, Elijah Sprague and Ephraim Whipple. They re- ported nearly £1000 due of interest and principal.
May 13, 1793, Elijah Sprague, Humfrey Tiffany and Phillip Mason were appointed a committee "to prosecute and obtain the town's property in lands granted to the original proprietors for school and ministerial purposes." This committee was discharged August 22, 1794, and another appointed October 3, 1794. It seems that a considerable sum was realized from these lands, for in 1829 the school fund amounted to $4547, vested in lands which yielded an annual rent of about $270, which was distributed among the districts according to their number of persons under 21 years of age. The school fund, for convenience of management, has now become merged into the general funds of the town, and the school money is raised by direct tax, like the money for roads, bridges and other necessary objects. The amount raised in 1859 was upwards of $3300, of which $800 was for the High School.
The school books of olden times were few in number, and not adapted to the youthful understanding. Much of the matter con- tained in them was "Greek" to the pupils. The leading book in use was Webster's spelling book, which, with the Third Part and
46 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
the New Testament were the principal reading books. So scarce -and high were these books that the pupils loaned to each other, while to purchase them it was necessary to send to Williamstown or Pittsfield. The Young Man's Companion was the first arithme- tic in which federal currency was used. In the town records the earliest mention of federal currency was in 1798 — the Collector was to be paid three cents on the dollar. Previously, in Pike's and other arithmetics, the old British denominations of £, s. d. were followed, and all accounts were so kept and notes so drawn.
The school books in use even so late as 1814 were limited in number and complex in character. There were some excellent reading books for high schools, but wholly inappropriate for the ■common schools — such as the Columbian Orator and American Preceptor. Many of the highflown words in these books could 'Scarcely be pronounced, much less understood by the pupils. The other school books were Morse's Geography, Federal Currency, Pike's Arithmetic and Murray's Grammar, the last two of which would puzzle the brain and try the patience of a Doctor of Laws to fully comprehend them. And, indeed, these were but little used, for the reason that few teachers were competent to elucidate them, and but few parents considered these branches of much practical value. The study of grammar was generally considered a waste of time, and so was that of arithmetic by the misses. Women it was thought needed only to understand housework. The love of learning was a genteel name for laziness.
Most of the scholars of that day graduated at from the ages of 11 to 14 years, — those who could work were taken from the schools joung and made to do so. The schools were kept by men about three months in the winter and by women about three or four months in the summer. The wages of the male teachers was from -$8 to $12 per month and board around; of females, $1 to ■$2 per week and board around. For such pay as this there •can be no doubt but what some ill-educated and ill-mannered pedagoges were necessarilly engaged. It was often the case that teachers lacked either the mental qualifications for imparting knowledge, the powers of good government, or the genialty which won the love and respect of the pupils. There were many noble exceptions, but it is nevertheless a fact that school graduates retained a more lively idea of the imprints upon the palm of their hands with a beech ''ruler" than of any lesson they received. Corporal punishment was the main reliance of the teachers, even of the gentler sex, and instead of blackboards, "black and blue" fipots abounded.
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 47
Owing to the lack of system in instruction and the lack of knowl- edge and skill in many instructors, as well as the scanty time devoted to schooling our grand parents are wholly excusable for any deficiencies in culture. They could not learn more than was taught them, nor progress faster than the way was opened. The rising generation have ample facilities, not only provided, but urged upon them, and neglect or inattention on their part will be followed by lasting sorrow and inferiority. While their grand parents were allowed but a few mouthfulls, as it were, of education, the youth of the present day can enjoy a full and hearty meal.
As has been stated the village remained one district until 1841. A second school house was built on Center street in 182G, another -at the Union in 1831. The school house on State street, now occupied by the Hoosac Valley News, was built in 1841, and the brick school house on Chestnut street in 1849.
Following is a copy of the schedule of property in this village, made out in 1841, for the purpose of assessment. It contrasts strikingly with one of the present day.
Eeal Estate. East District, $32,035
Center " 41,300
AVest '' 20,900
|
Personal. |
Total. |
|
$10,370 |
$42,405 |
|
9,995 |
51,355 |
|
13,213 |
34,123 |
$94,295 $33,578 $127,883
J3RURY ACADEMY.
About the year 1840 the w^ant of better school facilities was T3eginning to be severely felt, and parties interested began looking a,round for a man who would donate enough to erect a suitable building. Dr. E. S. Hawkes took a deep interest in the project ^nd suggested the matter to a Mr. Gore of Monroe, who was one of the wealthiest men in this section in those days, being estimated •at about $50,000. Mr. Gore said he would consider the matter provided he should at all times have the power to dictate the character of teachers to be engaged. He subsequently offered -$3000, but the offer was refused because of the conditions imposed.
About this time Mr. Nathan Drury of Florida, was taken quite ;sick, and Dr. Isaac Hodges, a partner of Dr. Hawkes, was called to attend him. In talking the case over with Dr. Hawkes after liis visit to the sick man, it was decided to suggest the matter of a school building to Mr. Drury. This was done and the matter favorably considered, whereupon Drs. Hodges and Hawkes both went without delay to Florida and had writings made out and executed immediately. Dr. Hodges was made the receiver and
48 HISTORY OF Js^ORTH ADAMS.
dispenser of all Mr. Drury^s property, under the direction and assent of his wife, who soon vested all power in the doctor without restriction or limitation. Dr. Hawkes procured and prepared the grounds, while Dr. Hodges superintended the construction of the building. The matter of location was a subject of considerable discussion and controversy, opinion being about evenly divided be- tween the present site on the hill and the lower lands of Main street. The present location was finally decided on, however, be- cause of high ground and commanding position. The hill was lowered about seventeen feet in order to to get a level surface of one hundred and twenty feet. This work occupied about six weeks, at an expense of about $400. In doing this work one im- portant fact was demonstrated. Thirteen feet below the surface, on the summit, a tree about fifteen inches in diameter was found imbedded in the gravel, the body entire, apparently hard wood, lying north and south, showing that the hill was formed by a mighty rush of water from the north, bringing all kinds of rocks and trees with it. The presumption would be that the town of Stamford was once a lake, that the bar was at the Beaver or Glen mill, and that the breaking away of the body of water prepared a location for our academy. Work was pushed rapidly on the build- ing, and it was completed in 1843, the first school being held there in the fall of that year.
The first board of trustees were Isaac Hodges, Josiah Q. Kobin- son, Thomas Tower, Amasa Bixby, E. S. Hawkes, Thomas Robin- son, William E. Bray ton, Alpheus Smith, Edmond B. Penniman, Sanford Blackinton, Harvey Arnold, Stephen B. Brown and Ben- jamin Hathaway, Dr. Hodges was made first president of the board. The will of Mr. Drury gave in trust $3o00 to erect an academy in the village of North Adams, in the county of Berkshire, to be called Drury Academy. The building was to be of brick or marble and said academy and premises should belong to the association or corporation of Drury Academy, so long as it was used for the instruction of youth m the diflierent branches of literature; but when it ceases to be used for that purpose for one year it shall become the property of his heirs.
The first principal of the school was Lyman Thompson, who continued in charge for eight years. At one time the school had a membership of about 100. That the school finally fell into decline under his charge would appear from a record of a meeting of the trustees under date of April 10, 1849. Dr. Isaac Hodges said '*he wished it distinctly understood that it was his opinion that the school could never recover from its low and declining
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 49
condition without a change of principals." In 1851 a free high school was first established, William Pitt Porter succeeding Mr. Thompson and remaining in charge until the fall of 1854. This school was kept but six months a year, the principal conducting a private school during the balance of the time. Jarvis Rockwell succeeded Mr. Porter in the fall of 18.")4, and taught two terms. Then Thomas Gorman taught two terms. In 1856 Frank Shepard assumed the charge and taught with fair success for three years. Other teachers who taught one or two terms were Mr. Robinson,. Mr. Williams, Hoxey Hall and F. P. Brown. In 1865 Mr. A. D^ Miner was placed in charge of the school, and he has continued to- the present, a period of twenty years.
In 1866 the want of more room was so severely felt that the old building was torn down, the hill lowered twenty-one feet and the* main part of the present structure commenced. The building was. finished in the summer of 1867, and the first school held there in. the fall of that year. The cost of the building and furnishing was. about $80,000. The building contained thirteen school rooms, two recitation rooms and the hall. In 1879 the annex was added, and occupied in the spring term of 1880. This contains five school rooms and two recitation rooms. The cost of the annex all furnished was about $15,000.
The Veazie street schoolhouse was built in 1873, and opened in the fall of that year with three schools.
In 1883 the Union street school was opened with eight school and eight recitation rooms. The property was purchased on the 1st of June, 1882, of Messrs. Gallup & Houghton, who became possessors of it on the 20th of April of that year.
In 1884 the town voted to rai.se $12,000 to build a new house, but the building committee appointed for the purpose failed to fiud a suitable site, and so, with the consent of the Selectmen, the School Committee fitted up four additional rooms in this Union street building at an expense of $3928.
THE FIRST CHURCHES.
The early settlers of Adams being mostly Connecticut born and bred, adhered to their religious sentiments and habits. They formed a Congregational church and society and fulfilled the conditions on which the township was granted to them by building a meeting-house and settling a minister. The first meeting-house was built of logs, probably as early as 1760, on a spot afterward oc- cupied by an orchard, near the bridge on the **2 1-2 mile cross roads" between the north and south villages. Rev. Samuel Todd
50 HISTORY OF KORTH ADAMS.
was installed pastor of the church. Its records are lost, and the dates and other particulars of its history can not be learned. Not long after the settlement of Mr. Todd the poverty caused by the Eevolution, and the frequent changes of population, cut down his supj^ort. A vote of the inhabitants taken January 3, 1778, before the incorporation of the town, appears on the clerk's books pro- posing to Eev. Mr. Todd to relinquish his claims on the ministerial lands (to which he was entitled because of being the first settled minister) and take his dismission.
He was dismissed, but held on to the real estate, and for several years there was an uncertainty about the title of these lands. The town, in 1796, petitioned to the General Court to confirm Mr. Todd's title, and so unravel the snarl. The '^'minister's lot'' now constitutes the town farm, on the east road.
An old burying ground is near the site of this log church, and the bones of many of the forefathers of the hamlet repose there. The first burials from the village were doubtless made there.
The Friends society in South Adams was formed in 1781, and worshipped in a log cabin until 1786, when they erected the house now standing about half a mile northwest of the center of that vil- lage. The families of David Anthony, Isaac Killy, Isaac Upton, Joshua Lapham and Adam Harkness constituted the society at its first organization. Robert Nesbit was their first recommended >speaker. He was succeeded by Mary Beatty, and the third was David Aldrdge. These Friends, or Quakers, were principally from Rhode Island, and with their kindly ways, their sound morality, their hatred of aristocracy and humbug generally, and their thrifty habits, were a desirable acquisition to the town. Residing mainly .at Adams, their further history will have to be postponed.
About the year 1782 the inhabitants of this village, of various religious sentiments, raised and covered the frame of a meeting- house, 38 feet long by 30 wide, on the site of the William lUackin- ton house, on Church street. It stood without windows or doors until 1795, when the people subscribed a sufficient sum to remove it into the village and finish it. The job of moving was done by Captain Colgrove, the task occupying three days with a large force of men and thirty-five or forty yoke of oxen. The pine stumps on the east side of Church street were cut down or smoothed off for the rollers to pass over, it being necessary to keep the highway clear. The site selected for the building was the present site of the Baptist church. Here the house was completed after a time. The floor was of loose boards, while the seats were rude benches without backs. The house faced the south, and a porch was
niSTORr OF NORTH ADAMS. 51
placed in front with stairways leading to the galleries. There "were three aisles, fifteen windows, and about four hundred persons t30uld be -seated. The pews were finished off in a large, oblong form, with seats on three sides, one side being reserved for the pew door, so that when the house was very full part of the audience sat with their backs to the speaker. The galleries being wide and rather low, some of those who sat in the pews nearest the wall could not see the preacher. The gallery pews were finished in similar style to those on the flo'^r, and the seats being as ''square •as a brick," and as hard as the good, sound lumber of those days was apt to be, the accommodations for sleeping was not by any means up to the modern fashionable standard. In the winter the women carried foot stoves, while in the summer both boys and girls went barefooted until well into their ''teens." "Old enough to go to meeting barefooted" was not an unmeaning Joke. For thirteen years after the removal of this meeting-house into the vil- lage (or until 1808) there was no regular organized church in North Adams. A Baptist preacher named Dyer Stark was em- ployed to preach a part of the time here and a part of the time in Stamford, Vt. Elder Amos Bronson also preached here, and vari- ous itinerants of different creeds held forth as opportunity offered. The pews having been sold to villagers of no exclusive faith, the house was opened whenever a request came from the proper source.
It is stated that the early settlers held meetings more frequently and exhibited a deeper religious zeal when their provisions became short and their garments ragged. This has been the case with all communities from the Jews of antiquity down to the Americans of the present day. In men's distress they ''call upon the name of the Lord/' and too often forget Him when they are relieved.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
By reference to a previous page of this sketch it will be seen that the old meeting-house, which was the only one in this village, had been moved in 1794 or '95 to the site of the present edifice on Church hill. It was occupied as a house of worship, with occa- sional preaching, but without any organized church, for fourteen years.
On the 30th of October, 1808, a Baptist church, consisting of twenty-two members, was organized by Elder Calvin Keyes. From its first organization until the year 1828 the whole number of per- sons who had belonged to it was 178. In consequence of removals
52 HISTORY OF rilORTH ADAMS.
and deaths the number connected with it at that time was only about 100.
The pastors who have presided are as follows :
George Witherell, from December 1, 1808, to December 1, 1813» Elijah F. Willey, from December 1, 1815, to April 1, 1817. Hosea Wheeler, from the fall of 1817 to the summer of 1818. George Robinson, from the fall of 1819 to the spring of 1820. Samuel Savory, from December 1, 1820, to February 3, 1826. Charles B. Keyes, from June 1, 1827, to April 1, 1834. Asa H. Palmer, from April 1, 1834, to April 1, 1836. Lemuel Covell, from May 1, 1836, to April 1, 1838. Thomas S. Rogers, from April 1, 1838, to April 1, 1840. John Alden, from April 1, 1840, to April 1, 1846. Horace T. Love, from June 15, 1846, to April 1, 1852. Miles Sanford, from June 23, 1853, to March 10, 1871. Cortland W. Annable, from March 17, 1872, to March 25, 1877. Abraham C. Osborn, from September 1, 1877, to Augu&t 20,. 1884. Francis H. Rowley, from December 14, 1884.
In 1829 the old meeting-house, being \exy inconvenient in form and much out of repair, it was deemed advisable to build another house for public worship to meet the wants of the growing society. The old house was therefore moved back, and now is occupied by families, just in the rear of the present edifice. A brick building was erected on the same site, 40x63 feet, at an expense of about $3000. In 1844 the house was remodeled and improved inside at a cost of $1200.
The constant and numerous additions to the church by member- ship, as well as the increased number of attendants, with the aug- menting population of the village, caused the edifice to be extreme- ly crowded. It was found to be too small, in fact, to accommo- date the actual necessities of the denomination.
In 1848 it was deemed advisable to take down the building and erect on the same site a more capacious and convenient building. The new house was commenced May 12, 1848, and com- pleted in a little over one year. It was built of briok and of the following dimensions : Length, 94 feet ; width, 64 feet ; height of ceiling, 40 feet. It contained 120 pews on the first floor, 38 in the galleries, and would comfortably seat 1000 people. There was a large and convenient vestry in the basement, which would seat about 400. The edifice cost $15,000. The organ had thirty- two registers and some 1200 pipes, and cost $2000. The entire property of the society in 1858 or '59 was about $20,000. The
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 53
church was dedicated June 21, 1849, by Rev. Bartholomew Welch, D. D., then of Brooklyn, N. Y.
On October 30, 1858, at the completion of half a century from the date of the organization of this church, special religious ser- vices were held and an appropriate and interesting sermon preached by Rev. Miles Sanford, the pastor.
On the 4th of May, 1875, the church was badly burned, the fire originating in the organ. In August of that year the work of tearing down the ruins was begun, the Wilson Hall being used as a place of worship until the spring of the next year, when the chapel was completed. On the 7th of August, 1880, the church was dedicated. It will comfortably accommodate 1000 persons, and is valued, including other property, at about $100,000, the original cost of the church being $50,000. The society now has nearly 900 members, with Rev. F. H. Rowley as pastor. The home Sunday School has 600 scholars, and the five mission schools about 100 each.
Ui^^TVERSALIST CHURCH.
The Universalist society of this village was organized in 1842, under the ministry of Rev. William Wilcox, formerly of Vermont. Previous to 1840 there was occasional preaching. In that year Rev. Mr. Beckwith preached here every few weeks, the meetings being held in the third story of the Arcade building. Rev. Wil- liam Wilcox preached during 1841 and 1842.
In 1843 Stephen B. Brown purchased for the use of the society the Methodist church building on Centre street, afterward used as a Catholic church, and now by John A. Bond & Bro. as a livery stable, for the sum of $450.
In 1851 the society purchased of S. W^. Brayton, at a cost of $900, the lot on State street which forms the present site of the church, and erected the building now standing at a cost of about $7100, It contains 70 slips, and will seat about 500 people. There is a pleasant and comfortable vestry in the basement, which has been used for a school room,
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In 1784 a considerable body of Methodists made their appear- ance in the south part of this town. Soon after there were a few in the north part, principally in the Notch, where a small class was formed in 1823.
The origin of the Methodist Episcopal church in this village dates back to that year, Mr. Ebenezer Aid en then removed
54 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
here from Pownal, Vt., to take charge of the grist milk About, the same time a young man named Joseph Hayden came to work for Captain Giles Tinker, as a machinist. He had a license to ex- hort, and being anxious to see the work of God advanced, started a prayer meeting at the house of Mr. Alden. The result was a re- vival and the conversion of sixty-four persons and the- formation of a church of these converts. A local preacher of Petersburg, ]N"» Y., who had labored in the revival, formed a class and organized the church in proper form. It was received into the Petersburg circuit, and the circuit preacher delivered a sermon here every two weeks. Among the original members were Ebenezcr Alden and wife, Joseph Hayden, Giles Tinker and wife. Hart Ives and wife, Thomas McClellan and wife.
The society met at Mr. Tinker's shop, also at the schoolhouse and various private dwellings, until the summer of 1824. They then purchased a lot on Centre street, on the site- of J. A. Bond & Bro.'s stable, for S30. The deed bears date of June 21, 1824. They also purchased for a small sum an unfinished frame building which had been erected for a glass house by Daniel Sherman, but never used. This building was removed to the site selected for it and temporarily fitted up. The original trustees were Ebenezer Alden, Edward Holden, Harris Arnold, Giles Tinker and Orson Wells.
The M. E. church continued to worship in this building until 1843, when they sold it to the Universalists for 1450. It afterward passed into the hands of the Eoman Catholics. The society then purchased the lot where the present church stands and built an edifice which was completed in 1844, and dedicated by Rev. John B. Stratton, the presiding elder of the conference. The new church was built at a cost of $4000. In 1847 North Adams became a station, and in that year the church had 237 members. The pastors of the church have been numerous, for the reason that the rules of the church require a change every two years. They are as, follows : Eev. Wright Hazen, appointed Rev. Peter Harrower, 2 years.
in 1833, continued 2 years. Rev. T. W. Pearson, 2 years. Rev. E. G. Hibbard, 2 years. Rev. Thomas Dodgson, 2 years.
Rev. Joseph Eames. Rev. AV. P. Gray, 2 years.
Rev. Reuben Wescott. Rev. Peter R. Stover, 2 years.
Rev. Orrin Pier, 2 years. Rev. Samuel ^[eredith, 2 years.
Rev. Ezra Sprague, 1 year. Rev. B. 0. Meeker,. 2 years.
Rev. Luman A. Sanford, 2 years. Rev. E. H. Foster, 2 years, died Rev. Timothy Benedict, 2 years. February 14, 1861.
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 55
Kev. Chester F. Burdick, filled Rev. Richard Meredith, 1 year.
out his time. Rev. T. A. Griffin, 3 years.
Rev. A. J. Jutkins, 2 years. Rev. H. C. Farrar, 3 years.
Rev. T. Wade, 1 year. Rev. J. W. Eaton, 3 years.
Rev. S. M. Merrill, 3 years. Rev. S. McLaughlin, 1 year.
Rev. Wm. H. Meeker, 2 years. Rev. S. McKean, 3 years. Rev. J. W. Thompson, the present pastor, has been here 1 year. In 1872 their meeting-house was torn down to make room for their present edifice, which cost about $65,000, and is valued, in- cluding the grounds, at $75,000. The society now has a member- ship of 650, and the Sunday School 400.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The first formation of the Congregational society in town has already been described in this work in connection with the old church over which Rev. Samuel Todd presided, situated at the cross roads between the two villages. From the time of the dis- missal of Mr. Todd until the 19th of April, 1827, there was no regular organized church here of this denomination. On that date and year, however, the present church was organized. Rev. J. W. Yeomans being the first pastor. In the following year their first church was built, but September 6, 1865, their present edifice was erected. The society now has a membership of 438, with no set- tled pastor.
Below is a list of the pastors who have been settled over the society :
Rev. John W. Yeomans, D. D., settled November 12, 1828, dis- missed February 16, 1832.
Rev. C. B. Tracy, settled July 10, 1832, dismissed Februa- ry 16, 1834.
Rev. Alva Day, settled May 26, 1835, dismissed May 24, 1836.
Rev. Ezekel Russell, D. D., settled June 22, 1836, dismissed April 24, 1839.
Rev. Robert Crawford, D. D., settled August 24, 1840, dis- missed September 28, 1855.
Rev. Albert Paine, settled December 3, 1856, dismissed April 21, 1862.
Rev. William H. McGifford, settled May 13, 1863, dismissed March 1, 1865.
Rev. AVashington Gladden, settled February 28, 1867, dis- missed 1871.
56 HISTORY OF NORTH ADA:MS.
Rev. Lewelleyan Pratt, 1871 to 1876.
Rev. T. T. Munger, settled December 11, 1877, dismissed No- vember 4, 1885.
The cost of the present edifice was about $33,000. A bell weigh- ing 51^5 pounds, and costing over 13000, hangs in the tower of the church, the gift of Samuel J. Whitton of Coleraine, but after- wards of Perkinsville, Vt.
EPISCOPAL CnURCII.
St. John's Episcopal church, located on Summer street, was organized by William Tatlock, Stephen H. Tyng, Jr., the students of Williams College and others, in 1850, the Rev. Benjamin F. De Costa being the first rector. In 1857 a church building was erected of wood, which was succeeded in 1869 by the present stone structure, which Avill seat about 350 persons, and is valued, in- cluding grounds, at $'26,000. The building was a gift to the society from Mrs. Hiram Sibley, of Rochester, N. Y. The society now has 150 communicants, with Henry I. l^odley as rector. The Sun- day school has 191 scholars and 15 officers and teachers.
UNION" CHURCH.
The Blackinton Union church, located at Blackinton, was or- ganized by Rev. John Alden in 1843, with twenty members. The church building, erected in 1871, will seat 300 persons, and is val- ued, including grounds, at $12,500. There are now about 150 members, the pulpit being supplied by the pastors of the Baptist, Congregational and Methodist churches. The church building was erected by Sanford Blackinton and donated to the village.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
In 1825 several Irish families had settled here, but they had no organized religious services until 1848. In that year Rev. Father Edward Cavanaugh, the pastor in Pittsfield, established a mission and said mass once in three months in some of the Irish houses. The first mass was celebrated in the house of Michael Ryan, in the ^^ Union." The Roman Catholics then numbered about twenty families. Father Patrick Cuddihy succeeded Father Cavanaugh as pastor in Pittsfield, and attended the mission in North Adams. The first church was built on Centre street, about this time. Father Edward H. Purcell succeeded Father Cuddihy in 1860, and Father Charles Lynch was appointed his assistant in the same year. In less than two years the Roman Catholic population had so increased that Father Lynch was appointed pastor here, with missions in South Adams, Williamstown and at the east end of the
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 57
Hoosac Tunnel. From November, 1862, until 1883, Father Lynch labored assiduously for the flock entrusted to his care. He bought a lot of land on Eagle street and began the present church edifice in 1864. The corner-stone was laid in the summer of 1867, and the church was completed and dedicated in July, 1869. At the east end of the tunnel and at the central shaft halls were procured and mass celebrated once each month.
A few years afterward, as Father Lynch saw the debt of the church. diminishing, he placed in the tower of it a large bell and a set of chimes. In this he was liberally assisted by the manufac- turers and citizens of the town. After many years of hard and assiduous labor Father Lynch was stricken with paralysis on the 28th of May, 1883. He was 53 years old at the time of his death. He had been a priest twenty-six years, all but five of which were spent in this town. He was succeeded by Father Charles E. Burke.
The English speaking Roman Catholics in town now number about 3500 people.
FRENCH ROMAN CATHOLICS.
The French Canadian congregation was established in 1870, by the Rt. Rev. P. T. O-'Reilly, Bishop of Springfield, who kindly granted the permission asked by the numerous French families in town of having a pastor of their own nationality. Up to that time the French had worshipped with the Irish Catholics of St. Francis^ church. The first pastor of the French church was Rev. Fr. Crevier of the diocese of Montreal. He took charge of the con- gregation in January, 1871. At that time there were 200 French families in Xorth Adams, and also about 100 in South Adams. Father Crevier found himself at the head of a large congregation and mission. In 1871, there being no French church, the people rented the old Irish chapel on Centre street. After four years this chapel was abandoned for the basement of the new church, which the congregation had commenced building in a sightly location on East Main street. The first service attended in this basement was on December 25th, 1874. Owing to the lack of funds at this time work was suspended on the building, the congregation continuing to worship in the basement. They worked hard and untiringly to reduce a debt of $24,000 on the property, and in 1885 had diminished it to $8,000. Their hopes of completing the church edifice now began to assume shape, for in the summer of this year the walls and spire were raised, and the church w-ill be completed in the spring or summer of 1886, leaving the church about $20,000 in debt.
PUBLIC HOUSES.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE OLD BLACK TAVERN.
This building stood on the east corner of Main and State streets', the site of which is now occupied by Martin's block. For a of about twenty years this was the only public house in town. The rear part was built by Samuel Day, and afterwards occupied by Abiel Smith, one of the early settlers. This was undoubtedly prior to 1780, as the front east wing was erected by David Darling in 1788.
The building derived its name from the color it was painted. In 1795, Mr. Darling opened the same as a public house. It was afterwards sold and occupied by Roger Wing, who has been pre- viously mentioned as a clothier. About 1804, Bethuel Finney purchased the premises of Mr. Wing, and erected the upright or main part of the building. He kept it until about the year 1808, when Richard Knight purchased the building and forty acres of land adjoining, for the sum of $4000. The boundaries included all the then vacant land from a point below the Berkshire House, east on the south side of Main street to about the corner of Bank street, thence south embracing a large share of what are now Sum- mer, Quincy and a part of Chestnut streets, including all of State street to the bridge and the grounds of the Pittsfield & North Adams railroad. Mr. Knight kept the house for several years, and then leased it to George Whitman who kept it during the years of 1812, '13, '14. In 1814, W. E. Brayton succeeded Mr. Whitman as lessee and occupied it until the spring of 1816, when Alpheus Smith, who had formerly kept a public house at Cheshire Corners, leased the premises and occupied the same for a period of nearly twenty years, or until it was closed. There was formerly a long
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 59>
row of Lombardy poplar trees in front of the old black tavern^ outside the sidewalk.
This was the only public house kept in the village until the erection of the Berkshire House in 1815. As a matter of course it, did a large business, especially after the close of the war with Great Britain, when emigration from New England to Genesee county and the Western Reserve in Ohio was at its height. Oxl teams were then the principal motive power for heavy draughts, and two or three yokes were attached to a large canvas covered wagon, labeled '^Ohio" and accompanied by a one or two horse vehicle, with the family. The emigrant party were generally supplied with cooking utensils and provisions, camping out. nights when distant from hotels. The journey occupied from twelve to sixty days.
THE BERKSHIRE HOUSE.
The large and commodious hotel on Main and State street now well known as the Berkshire or Richmond House, was originally a small, two story building, less than two-thirds its present Main street length. It was erected in 1815 by Col. Wm. Waterman and was designed as a stage tavern. Mr. Waterman opened and occupied the house for six years, keeping also the post office. He disposed of the premises to George Whitman, who added twenty- five feet to the east end. In a few years it again changed hands and Rufus Wescott became the proprietor, occupying it with his, sons for about two years. They then leased the house to Henry Jenks who kept it for two years. It was next carried on during 1828 by Nathaniel G. Waterman. In 1829 James Wilbur became- the proprietor and occupant. He greatly improved the premises, added eight feet to the west end, raised the building another story, added a dining room, piazza and pillars, and also repaired the out buildings.
About 1836, Benjamin Howard rented the house and kept it for two years, when George and Jerry AV^ilbur, sons of the proprietor, took possession. They refitted the house, made many needed im- provements and carried it on until the close of 1844. x'^.bout this, time John Holden became, in part or whole, proprietor of the: premises, and afterwards a joint owner with Jenks Kimbell.
During 1846 or '47 Henry W. Brown (afterwards agent for the T. & B. R. R. for many years) was the lessee and occupant of the^ house. In 1848 Gen. E. Bailey leased the house and carried it on for two years. Phineas Cone was the successor of Mr. Bailey,, renting the house during the years 1850 and '51. In 1852 thft
«60 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
Jiouse was closed and remained so until 1856 when it was purchased and reopened by R. D. Hicks.
The old Berkshire House having bided its time was now the only Jiotel in the village, the North Adams House having been closed. Mr. Hicks made many improvements in the house and premises according to the demands of the times. On the first of December 1860, A. E. Eichmond purchased the interest of Mr. Hicks and sold out to D. S. Hicks in February of 1865, who run it about a .year and a half when Mr. Richmond bought it back again in August of 1866.
THE NORTH ADAMS HOUSE.
In 1835, the Old Black Tavern having become too small, incon- yconvenient and dilapitated for public necessity, and the increasing business of its landlord, Alph^us Smith, he, in connection with O. C. Smith and Walter Laflin, purchased the private residence of Capt. Jeremiah Colegrove on Main street, added twenty-one feet front of brick, three stories high, raised the roof of the rear part .to correspond and completed the whole in good shape for a first vclass hotel, with piazzas to each story eight feet in width. This new hotel was open in 1836 and kept by A. & 0. C. Smith. A few years later Alpheus Smith purchased the interest of 0. 0. Smith and soon after Mr. Laflin's interest also. He in turn, in 1847, sold all the property to Jenks Kimbell and Charles I. Tremaine, and retired from business.
Chas. I. Tremaine kept the house in good repute for one year and then sold his interest to Mr. Kimbell. Arthur F. Wilmarth leased the premises and kept the house in 1848. He was suc- ceeded as lessee by Wm. R. Shaw, who kept the house in 1850 and '51. He retired to accept from President Pierce the post of steward of the White House,
Fortunately for the reputation of our village, upon the closing ^of the Berkshire House in 1852, by an agreement between the proprietors of both houses, Phineas Cone leased the North Adams House, and removed into it from the Berkshire House. He kept this house for three years and was succeeded by R. D. Hicks, who kept it very acceptably until it was sold to S. and E. Thayer in 1856. This popular hotel, the resort of the villagers for quiet, social intercourse, and ever the comfortable home of the stranger, ceased its career as it had begun, with a high reputation at home and abroad.
WILSON HOUSE.
This hotel was built in 1866 by A. B. Wilson, the inventor of -the Wheeler and Wilson sewing machine, at a cost of $140,000.
HISTORY OF NORTH A»AMS. 61l
It was opened to the public in 1867. At the end of one year it was leased by the Manufacturers' Association, and re-leased by them to A. E. Richmond of the Berkshire House, he running both hotels. It was soon after re-leased to E. Rogers and H. M.. Streeter, who kept it until the end of the association's five year's, lease. The property was then bought by John F. Arnold for $90,000, and after many improvements had been made was leased to Streeter, Smith & Co., they keeping it about two and one-halt years, during which time the property passed into the hands of the North Adams Savings bank. In 1877 Mr. F. E. Swift became^ the sole proprietor, leasing it of the bank until 1880, when he purchased the entire property by paying off the mortgage of $75,000.
BALLOU HOUSE.
In 1870 Maturin Ballou erected a hotel at a cost of $40,000, on the site of the building now owned by H. W. Clark & Co., near the depot. The house was managed by Mr. Ballou's sons untili 1876, when Edwin Thayer foreclosed a mortgage of $12,000, and took possession. For a year after this it was kept by A. A. Jones and John Thayer, the name being cbang.ed to the Commercial House. Upon the retirement of Mr. Jones in 1878, the premises> were leased by Mr. John Thayer, who was keeping it On the third, of January, 1881, when it was entirely destroyed by fij'c.
PROFESSIONAL
CHAPTER IX.
LAWYERS. — DATE OF THEIR SETTLEMENT.
llOMAS EOBINSOX, 1812. He was the first lawyer who settled in this place, staying about six months and then ^settling at Adams, where he enjoyed an extensive practice for twenty-four 3'ears, returning to this village in 1836. He was Master in chancery several years. When the act providing for commissioners of insolvency was passed in 1848, he received from Ksrov. Briggs the first appointment of commissioner of this county and held the office for five successive years. He was also attorney for the Adams bank.
Nathan Putnam, 1815. He was grandson of Gen. Isreal Put- •nam, the revolutionary hero. He had an extensive practice for several years, there being no other attorney in the village. He married a daughter of Richard Knight and died here in the 52d year of his age.
Daniel Robinson, 1824.
Charles P. Huntington about 1828. He removed to Northamp- ton after a few months.
Daniel Parish about 1830.
Edward Penniman, 1835. He enjoyed a very large and lucra- 'tive practice, and died here in 1844.
Nehemiah Hodge, 1831. He afterwards mostly relinquished the practice of law for the management of his patent railroad brake. He was more fortunate than many inventors, in under- standing how to enforce his rights.
Henry L. Dawes, 1842, He came here a stranger, with dubious iprospects and in debt. He was thrice elected as Representative
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 63
to the General Court, also a delegate to the constitutional conven- tion in 1853. For several years district attorney for the common- wealth, he was afterwards elected as a representative and then as congressman of the United States, which office he now holds.
James T. Robinson, 1844. He was twice elected State Senator from this district; was chosen secretary of the constitutional con- vention in 1853; Register of Insolvency in 1856. Upon the decease of Daniel N. Dewey in 1859 he received from Governor Banks the appointment of Judge of Probate and Insolvency for this county, under the new organization, which did away with the work of Commissioners of Insolvency.
Lyman C. Thayer, 1847.
0. C. B. Duncan, about 1848.
Andrew A. Richmond, 1848. He was twice elected Represen- tative to the General Court, once Senator for Berkshire county, was appointed trial Justice of the Police Court of Adams, and one of the three commissioners to revise the statutes of the common- wealth.
Shepard Thayer, 1852. He was appointed Commissioner of Insolvency by Gov. Washburn in 1853, holding the office for three years. AVas re-elected by the people in 1859. Now holds the office of associate justice of the District Court.
Wm. P. Porter, 1856. Entered into partnership with H. L. Dawes Jan. 1, 1857.
A. W. Preston, 1858.
At present there are twelve lawyers in town.
ACTING JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Only those who acted officially are named. Isreal Jones. He must have been appointed as early as 1800 and transacted the principal business for many years. Others were James Cummings, Jeremiah Colegrove, Ezra D. Whitaker and Abel Wetherbee.
A few lawyers who settled here tried some cases, and so did other justices besides those named, occasionally.
A special act was passed by the Legislature April 12, 1854, estab- lishing a Police Court in this town. Andrew A. Richmond was appointed standing justice and Charles J. Marsh of South Adams special justice. Upon the election of Mr. Richmond to the Sen- ate and his taking a seat therein, June 1, 1855, the office of stand- ing justice became vacant, and Joel Bacon was appointed. Judge Bacon held the office until the District Court was formed, in 1870, with jurisdiction over Adams, North Adams, Clarksburg, Savoy, Florida and Cheshire, when Jarvis Rockwell was put at its head.
64 HISTOKY OF NORTH ADAMS.
where he presided until his death, on the 14th of May, 1885. On the 28th of May, 1885, the vacancy caused by Judge Rockweirs death was filled by the appointment of George P. Lawrence to the justiceship of the district.
PRACTICING PHYSICIANS.
Below is given a list of the early physicians and the dates of their settling here, as nearly as can be ascertained. Previous to 1800 the physicians from Williamstown and Adams were sum- moned to attend patients here :
Dr. AVaters, about 1803.
Dr. James Cummings, 1805.
Dr. Anson Holloway, 1810.
Dr. Robert 0. Robinson, 1812. He left and returned twice, dying here in 1846.
Dr. George Hill, 1822.
Dr. Thomas A. Bray ton, 1824. He gave up practice in 1831 and became engaged in manufacturing.
])r. Isaac Hodges, 1824. Left and returned twice.
Dr. Charles Knowlton, 1826.
Dr. Ambrose Brown, 1828. Died here in 1831.
Dr. Elihu S. Hawkes, 1829. Succeeded Dr. Brayton^s practice. Died May 17, 1879.
Dr. Martin Bryant, 1830.
Dr. Lawson Lang, 1832.
Dr. L. J. Aylsworth, 1835.
Dr. Henry P. Phillips, 1836. Practiced for some time previous in Adams. Died here November 24, 1881.
Dr. William H. Tyler, 1837.
Dr. Thomas Taylor, 1837. Died here in 1854.
Dr. S. N. Briggs, 1840. Still in practice in 1885, and is now senior resident in the profession here.
Dr. N. S. Babbitt, 1845. Practiced ten years previously at Adams.
Dr. Alvah Harvey, 1845.
Dr. George H. Wilson, 1852.
Dr. George C. Lawrence, 1859. Practiced twelve years previ- ously at Adams. Died January 6, 1884.
At the present time, 1885, there are fourteen resident physicians in town.
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT.
It will be seen by the following list that the doctrine of *'rota- tioii in office" was not very strictly observed in early times, and
HlSTOllY OF KORTH ADAMS. 65
probably not appreciated, or else the citizens were not very ambi- tions for office :
1779, Samuel Todd.
1780, Reuben Hinman, at a town meeting on May 25. Enos- Parker, at a meeting of the town October 11. The state constitu. tion was not then in fairly working order, and it required two rep- resentatives a season.
1781-2, Enos Parker.
1783-4 there was no record of a Representative having been chosen. Probably the town did not feel able to afford the expense, as this was a period of excruciating money pressure.
1785-6, Isreal Jones ; the last year with written instructions given by a committee of seven, chosen in town meeting September 30. December 18 it was voted that the town had no further busi- ness for him — a polite hint that he was not a Shays man.
1787-8, Reuben Hinman ; the first year with instructions from a committee of five.
1789, Jonathan Remington.
1790, Reuben Hinman.
1791, Reuben Hinman. Appointed.
1792, Israel Jones. He was re-elected for five years.
1798, Abraham Howland. He received 114 votes to 94 for Israel Jones. In this year the Democratic — then called Republican — party first gained that supremacy in the town which they maintained for over forty years.
1799, Abraham Howland received 94 votes to 4 scattering, and in 1800 he received 70 votes, all that are recorded as having been cast.
Until 1831 the town meeting for the choice of Representatives was held on the first Tuesday in May, and the General Court met on the fourth Wednesday of the same month. As the state and county officers were voted for on different days, and the town was so overwhelmingly Democratic for many years, that a contest was futile. The average vote for Representative was very light, often less than one-quarter as large as for the Governor and Senators.
1801, Abraham Howland, by 52 votes, all that appear to have been cast.
1802, Abraham Howland, by 79 votes to 24 for Shubael AVil- marth.
1803, Abraham Howland, by 74 votes, all that are recorded.
1804, Abraham Howland, by 58 votes to 26 for Stephen Jenckes.
1805, Stephen Jenckes, by 88 votes to 63 for Abraham Howland.
1806, Stephen Jenckes, by 89 votes to 64 for Elisha Wells.
66 HISTORY OF is^ORTH ADAMS.
1807, Elisha Wells, by 99 votes to 64 for Josiah Q. Robinson, 3 scattering.
1808, Elisha Wells, by 57 votes to 25 for Daniel Read, 3 scat- tering.
1809, Elisha Wells and Thomas Farnum, by 83 votes each. The town was now sufficiently large to entitle it to two Representatives.
1810, Thomas Farnum by 62, John Waterman by 52 and James Mason by 55. Another Representative was added this year.
1811, Thomas Farnum by 40, James Mason by 44.
1812, Thomas Farnum by 44, James Mason by 52, 2 scattering.
1813, John Waterman and Daniel Read.
1814, Daniel Read.
1815, John Bucklin, Henry Wilmarth. Nehemiah Field was first elected, but afterward excused.
1816, Henry Wilmarth and William P. Briggs.
1817, Henry Wilmarth by 31, 2 scattering.
1818, Isaac Brown, by 31 to 19 for Elisha Kingsley.
1819, Isaac Brown by 38, 1 scattering. 1820-21, Richmond Brown.
1822, William E. Brayton.
1823, William E. Brayton and Richmond Brown.
1824, Peter Briggs and William Waterman.
1825, Peter Briggs.
1826, James Mason.
1827, Nathan Putnam and James Mason.
1828, Edward Richmond, Richmond Brown and Henry Wil- marth.
1829, William E. Brayton and Thomas Farnum.
1830, William E. Brayton and Thomas Farnum.
1831, William E. Brayton, James Wilbur and Isaac U. Hoxie.
1831, Thomas Farnum, James Wilbur and Elisha Kingsley, at a November meeting.
1832, Alpheus Smith, Sanford Blackinton, David Anthony and James Mason.
1833, E. Kingsley, 206 votes ; George A. Lapham, 209 ; Evenel Estes, 158 ; Daniel Jenks, 162.
1834, Stephen B. Brown, 245 votes ; George A. Latham, 213 ; Evenel Estes, 250 ; Daniel Jenks, 253.
The ballots were taken for one Representative at a time, and therefore some of the defeated candidates had more votes than some who were elected, as follows : Ebenezer Cole, 241 ; Zolotes Richmond, 246 ; Joseph L. White, 233.
1835, Henry Wilmarth, 312 ; Ebenezer Cole, 306 ; Stephen B.
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 67
Brown, 311 on the ballot for first Representative and 294 for sec- ond Representative. This was the famous three days' town meet- ing, held at the Town House, about midway between the two vil- lages. It was hotly contested, and there were charges of double voting and illegality on both sides, the particulars of which would occupy too much space. Messrs. Wilmarth and Cole took their seats in the House, but a petition adverse to them was presented, and after a full consideration by the Committee on Elections they were declared to be illegally chosen, inasmuch as the Selectmen adjourned the meeting without authority from the voters. A pre- cept for a new election was issued, and on the 10th of March, 1836, Messrs. Wilmarth and Cole were again elected, with very few op- posing votes. An eifort to unseat them again was made, on the grounds that the chairman refused to put a motion to adjourn which had been properly made and seconded. The effort failed, however, though Mr. Cole did not appear to take his seat.
1836, Henry Wilmarth, 273 ; Daniel A. Wells, 140 ; Alanson Cady, 144 ; Isaac Dean, 159. Ebenezer Cole was re-elected and excused.
1837, Joseph L. White, 130 ; Shubel Wilmarth, 130 : John Hall, 130.
1838, Joseph L. White, 313 ; Shubel Wilmarth, 312 ; John Hall, 311. John Brown had 248, Daniel A. Wells 244, and Reu- ben Whitman 246.
1839, Lorenzo Rice, 262 ; Snell Babbitt, 259. Ezra D. Whita- ker had 234, Evenel Estes 244, Hezekiah Kingsley 247, Reuben Whitman 243, Samuel Gaylord 74. On balloting for a second Representative, Ezra D. Whitaker had 112 votes, and was elected. The Democracy was routed this year.
1840, Lorenzo Rice, 323 ; Snell Babbitt, 330. Orson Wells had 274, Joshua Anthony 275, and there were 8 scattering.
1841, Edward Badger by 264, William Jenks by 267. Salmon Burlingame had 242, Thomas A. Brown 241, and there were 13 scattering.
1842, William Jenks, Edmund Badger.
1843, The town records contained no mention of any vote cast for Representatives. It is said there was a tie between Rodman H. Wells and Jenks Kimbell, each having about 345 votes, and there were 12 '' Liberty" party votes.
1844, No choice for Representatives. The Liberty party num- bered about 58 votes, and held the balance of power between the Whigs and Democrats.
1845, No choice again. Amasa W. Richardson had 241 votes;
68 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
Sylvander Johnson, 241 ; Joel P. Cady, 172 ; Dallas J. Dean, 181; John F. Arnold, 62 ; Simeon M. Dean, 61 ; scattering, 8. A sec« end trial on the fourth Monday in Noyember resulted in no choice^ the four principal candidates being nearly tied.
1846, Syivander Johnson by 367, George Millard by 357, Dallas. J. Dean had 211; Isaac Holman, 142; A. W. Eichardson, 70;. Nehemiah Hodge, 63 ; T. P. Goodrich, 65 ; scattering, 3.
1847, Henry L. Dawes by 282, Dallas J. Dean by 300. This, year the town meeting was held at the south village, next year at the north village, and since that time until the town was divided the meetings were held alternately at each village. From 1778 ta 1826 the meetings were held at the Wilmarth place ; from 1826 ta 1847 at the Town House. There was a long controversy over the erection of this Town House, which was located on what is known as the Howland farm, between the two villages on the west road.
1848, Charles Marsh by 467, Henry L. Dawes by 459.
1849, Charles Marsh, Salmon Burlingame.
1850, Stephen L. Arnold by 454, John H. Orr by 448.
1851, Stephen L. Arnold by 446, H. L. Dawes by 446.
1852, Andrew A. Richmond by 467, Henry Tyler by 464.
1853, Andrew A. Richmond by 458, and was the only person elected.
1854, Lansing Allen by 623, Edwin F. Jenks by 624. This waa the year of the grand " Know-Nothing sweep,'' and all parties were nearly wiped out.
1855, E. S. Hawkes by 323, Daniel Upton by 317. This year the plurality rule was adopted in the election of all officers.
1856, S. r>urlingame by 457, Henry Tyler by 447.
1857, Sylvander Johnson, under the new district system, which apportioned to this town every year one Representative, and moro when she can get them.
1858, S. Johnson, William H. Tyler, 2nd.
1859, George W. Nottingham.
POSTOFFICE AND POSTMASTERS.
Following is a list of Postmasters^ with the date of their ap- pointment :
Nathan Putnam, 1814. William Waterman, 1815. William E. Brayton, 1826. Edward R. Tinker, 1849. Henry Wilmarth, 1852. Abel Wetherbee, 1853.
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 69
Edwin Kogers, 1861.
John B. Tyler, 1879.
The first Postoffice in this town was established at the south village, which still retains the name of Adams. The communica- tions to people residing here were brought up by private hands. In 1814 the North Adams Postoffice was established, and the first Postmaster appointed was Nathan Putnam, grandson of Gen. Israel Putnam, who was then a practising lawyer here. The office was kept in Mr. Putnam's office, in the upper part of Giles Tink- •er's ^'yellow building" on Main street, on the site of the Daven- port block. The gross receipts for postoge the first quarter was ^1.50.
In 1815 William Waterman was appointed Postmaster, and the office was removed to the hotel (now Berkshire House) owned and kept by him. He afterward removed it to his dwelling, near the •corner of Pearl street.
In 1826 William E. Brayton received the appointment. The ^ross receipts for the first quarter under the new Postmaster were about 150. Mr. Brayton kept the office in the store now occupied by Dr. H. J. Millard as a drug store, at 76 Main street; From 1826 till 1849, a period of twenty-three years, the appointment was held by Mr. Brayton, and he at last resigned.
Edward R. Tinker succeeded Mr. Brayton in 1849, continuing the office as then located. He resigned a short time previous to the incoming administration of Frankin Pierce, and Col. Henry Wilmarth received the appointment. He was suspended in five or isix months by the change in the national administration.
During the summer of 1853 Abel Wetherbee received the ap- pointment, and removed the office to the building now occupied I)y L. L. Scott, at 55 Main street, which building was built pur- posely for the accommodation of the office. Mr. Wetherbee kept the office until his death, which occurred on the 6th of April, 1861, his wife holding the office until the expiration of his term.
In July of 1861 Edwin Eogers received the appointment, con- tinuing the office in the building now occupied by Mr.' Scott for a «hort time when he removed the office to the store now occupied by Robert Tobin, at 70 Main street. Here it was continued for a few years with 500 boxes to rent, which was more than enough to supply the wants of the people. From this store it was removed to No. 4 Holden street, the office occupying the whole room, which lias since been partitioned into several rooms. Here the number of boxes was increased to 1000. From here it was moved directly
70 HISTORY OF KOBTH ADAMS.
across the street into the Blackinton block, where it hassincebeeu located.
In February of 1878 Mr. Rogers resigned and the present Post- master, John B. Tyler, was appointed. He has made repeated ad- ditions to the oflfice, the number of boxes at present b^eing nearly 1500.
TELEGRAPHY.
In 1848 the first telegraph line went through this town, connect- ing it with Boston and New York. The company was called the Vermont and Connecticut Telegraph Company. Local capitalists subscribed for the stock, which was made out in shares of one hun- dred dollars each. The office was located in a room now used by H. D. Ward, the photographer, at 78 Main street, with Hamilton Morris as operator. The business only continued for a few years> the line going rapidly to decay. It was ten years after the first in- troduction, or in 1858, before the Western Union Company con- nected this town by wire with the trade centres. Their first office was located in the building then used as a postoffice, at 55 Main street. Judge Joel Bacon being the operator. During the removals of the Postoffice to 70 Main street^ then to 3 Holden, and after- ward to Xo. 1 Blackinton block, the telegraph office followed, and was considered a part of the Postoffice. In 1878 it was removed ta its old quarters at No. 3 Holden street, remaining there until 1881, when it was removed to its present quarters at 75 Main street. In 1879 Mr. Bacon resigned the management of the business here and William F. Orr was appointed in his stead. In 1885 Mr. Orr re- signed the management and was succeeded by Miss A. F. Bates, who still continues in charge. It is said of W. H. Phillips, for- merly proprietor and editor of the Transcript and Iloosac Valletf NewSy that while learning the printer's trade in Bennington, Vt.,. the telegraph office was located in the same room he was in the habit of occupying. He had acquired a very good knowledge of the art as practiced in those days, that is, reading from marks made on paper. One day there came flashing over the wire, ** Taylor is dead.'' Mr. Phillips caught the message by sound as it passed through, and told his fellow-workmen, who ridiculed the idea of his taking a message by sound. He was firm in his belief, however, and proved to be right. This was the first intimation he had of his gift, and set about perfecting himself in the art of read- ing by sound, and became very proficient. He is supposed to be the first man in the United States who acquired and cultivated the gift.
MANUFACTURING.
CHAPTER X.
ARIfOLD PRINT WORKS.
THESE works were built in 1861 by Oliver, Harvey and John F. Arnold. The firm was known as Harvey Arnold & Co. July 28, 1873, John F. Arnold sold to Edward H. Arnold his in- terest of one-quarter in the works. July 1, 1874, Harvey Arnold sold to Albert C. Houghton one-third of his interest of three- quarters in the Print Works. The business was still being eon- ducted under the name of Harvey Arnold & Co. i)uring the panic of 1874 and ^75 this firm went down with many others. October 10, 1876, the Arnold Print Works Company was organized, with David A. Brayton of Fall River, president, and Albert C. Hough- ton, treasurer. In December of 1882 Mr. Brayton's interests were purchased, A. C. Houghton becoming president and William Ar- thur Gallup treasurer. Under the present management the works have been greatly enlarged, and a new industry, the *^ Blue Dip,'' added. They are running eight printing machines, which turn out 20,000 pieces of prints per week, giving employment to 500 hands in the printing and dying establishment alone. In Decem- ber, 1872, the works were destroyed by fire. Work of reconstruc- tion, however, immediately begun, and the works were started again with the latest improved machinery in the spring of 1874.
OLD BRICK FACTORY.
The old Brick Factory, so called, stood between Marshall street and the Hoosac river, about on the site of the building known as
72 HISTORY OF KORTH ADAMS.
the Marshall street rink. It was erected in 1811, by an incor- porated joint stock company of twenty persons, each investing $1,000. The water privilege and about six acres of land were pur- chased of Jerre Colgrove. The deed was dated March 7, 1811.
The close of the war and the opening of our ports to European goods in 1815, caused the stoppage of this mill. It lay idle till 1819, when it was leased by David Estes and Oliver Parker, who run it for three years. It again lay idle until about 1825, when' Thomas Higginbotham & Co. purchased the entire property, car- rying on business for several years.
Joseph Marshall was the next owner of this property, then James E. Marshall, Wells, White & Co., and Joseph L. White. A. P. But- ler & Co. purchased it at auction, and in 1858 sold to Jackson, Ray & Co. The old brick was not used for manufacturing after 1857, and the building being in such a worn condition it was soon after this pulled down.
EAGLE FACTORY.
This was the second cotton mill in town and was built in 1813, hy Giles Tinker, W. E. Brayton, Benjamin Sibley, Wm. Bradford and Henry Remmington. It was located on the site of the present Eagle mill on Eagle street. Owing to the dullness of business after the war of 1812, the factory did not pay. The four first named proprietors sold out, and the mill lay idle for years, or until it was hired in 1820 by Caleb B. Turner. He afterwards leased it to Brown, Jenks & Tyler, who for about three years operated that and another mill near by. The next lessee was Dr. Isaac Hodges, who ran the mill two years. About 1838, it was purchased by James E. Marshall, rented to and run by John H. Orr and John N. Chase. The entire mill and its contents were destroyed by fire in 1845, Messrs. Orr and Chase losing about 13,000 in machinery and stock.
Messrs. A. W. Richardson, Joseph L. White, R. H. Wells and JJerome B. Jackson purchased the site of their mill of the Marshalls in 1849. The three last named gentlemen sold to Messrs. Richardson and Samuel Gaylord about 1859. Mr. Gaylord soon died, and in 1862 Mj. Richardson had completed the erection of the present Eagle mill, and ordered machinery for fitting it up. Early in 1863 Messrs. W. W. Freeman, L. L. Brown and Wm. S. Blackinton became partners with Mr. Richardson, and it was in this year the mill was furnished and put in running order. It has since that time constituted a part of the property of the Freeman Manufacturing Company.
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 73
S. BLACKINTON WOOLEN COMPANY.
Messrs. Wells, Blackinton & White commenced business in March, 1822. Their first factory stood near the road in front mt the present mill ; the same building, removed a few rods west of its former position is now used for storing wool. The price paid for sufficient water power for their mill was $300. The first mill cost about $800. The mill was run part of the time on custom work, and part in manufacturing satinet for pantaloon ware, worth about 75 cents per yard. The average quantity produced was about 60 yards per day. The first satinet power looms were used in their mill in 1825 or '2() ; they were manufactured by Giles Tinker.
In 1825 Wells, Blackinton & Co. bought out Aaron Foot, who owned a woolen mill near theirs, of about the same size and char- acter. They paid him $6,000, all in manufactured cloth, he fur- nishing wool. It proved an unfortunate bargain to Mr. Foot, but a correspondingly advantageous one for the *'boys."
In 1838, Wells & Blackinton bought out Joseph L. White. The old Foot mill burned in March, 1842 ; loss $10,000 above the in- surance. A stone mill was erected in 1842, the building, water- wheel and shafting costing about $15,000.
The firm of S. Blackinton & Co. was formed in 1850. It then con- sisted of Sanford, John R., and Wm. S. Blackinton, John B. Tyler and Charles Atkinson. In 1855 Mr. Atkinson retired from the firm, which still continued the name of S. Blackinton & Co. On the 2d of April, 185T, a fire broke out which caused great damage to the interior of the stone mill, the machinery, stock, etc. In 1860, Wm. S. Blackinton purchased of John R. Blackinton and John B. Tyler their interest in the firm, and became an equal part- ner with his father. The firms's name was changed to S. Blackin- ton & Son.
The breaking out of the war in 1861, gave a great impetus to the company, and they commenced to enlarge their plans, extend- ing their buildings and adding machinery. Their last important addition was made in 1872, when a large building was erected and considerable machinery brought from England, making the mill an eighteen-set plant, or double its capacity at commencement of the civil war. During the war the company had large contracts for army goods, finding them quite profitable. On the 4th of Septem- ber, 1875, Mr. Wm. Blackinton died suddenly. His death made it necessary to withdraw his interest from the concern, and in 1870 a stock company was formed by Sanford Blackinton, Lemuel Pom- 'Croy, E. S. Wilkinson and 0. A. Archar as incorporators, under the
74 HISTORY OF XORTH ADAMS.
firm. name of the S. Blackinton Woolen Co., with a paid up capital of $250,000, whose property covered substantially the mill prop- erty of the late firm of S. Blackinton & Son.
THE BEAVER.
This locality doubtless gained its name from traditions handed down by descendants of the early settlers, more especially those of Clarksburg. It seems there was a beaver dam of great strength and duarability, erected by these little animals on the Hudson brook, at the narrow gorge just below the Natural Bridge. That the constant toil of these creatures, together with the floodwood, etc., raised the dam to a great height, and caused the water to flow back, so as to obliterate the falls.
There are plain evidences that the water must at some period have washed the whole surface and worn out the fissuers, chasms and basins. Captain Shippee, who resided above the falls some 90 years ago, has been heard to say that he saw the remains of the beaver dam. Several other families, descendents of the early set- tlers, confirmed his statements.
The now thriving settlement, known as the Beaver, was in its original state a wild, romantic, and sequestered locality. In fact it was scarcely approachable on foot by the fisherman and hunter, owing to the steep and almost perpendicular rocky bluff, just above the Eclipse mill.
In 1832, Major Lorenzo Rice, a carpenter by trade, and George W. Bly, a practical machinist, formed a copartnership under the firm name of Rice & Bly, leasing the basement story of the Slater mill in order to manufacture cotton machinery for their own use. In the same year they purchased of Silas Shippee the " town lot,'* containing 26 acres of land, and all the water power (Beaver mill site), for $500. In 1833 they erected a stone mill 40x80 feet and three stories high, also several dwellings. The first set of machin- ery consisted of some 20 looms and preparations for making print goods. The same year, after much effort, the town of Adams was induced to lay out the road from the Union to Clarksburg line. Rice & Bly rendering important aid in building the highway and bridge. A committee of survey had previously declared it im- practicable to construct this road.
In 1835, Edmund Burk, an extensive manufacturer of Conway, became a resident partner in the concern. The sweeping financial panic of 1837, was weathered in safety by this firm of only five years growth, which had begun to build its mill with scarcely meana enough to lay the foundation.
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 7&
In 1845 Thomas P. Goodrich became an active partner in the concern and business was done as the firm of Rice, Bly & Co. Dur-. ing the preceding year, the firm had manufactured on their own premises more or less machinery, and with what they had purchased they had at the time mentioned sixty looms in operation. In 1845. an L part of fifty feet was added to the mill, and thirty looms and preparation put therein, making a total of ninety looms. A com- modious store had also been built.
In November, 1849, Mr. Bly sold his interests to Major Rice and retired. The firm was continued as L. Rice & Co.
In December, 1850, the mill was wholly consumed by fire, caus- ing a severe loss above the insurance.
In the spring of 1851, Maj. Rice purchased the interest of Burke- & Goodrich and exchanged the whole remaining property with R.. H. Wells for his interest in the firm of Wells, White & Co.
In 1851 Messrs. Rodman H. Wells, Shubael W. Brayton and Henry N. Wells formed a copartnership, with the firm name of' Wells, Brayton & Co., and the two latter became joint owners, with the former, of the property he had purchased of Major Rice. The new company erected on the site of the burned edifice, a spacious, well constructed stone mill 102x40 feet, four stories high, for the manufacture of satinets and cashimeres.
In 1862 R. H. and Henry Wells sold their interests to S. W. Brayton & S. Johnson, the firm being changed to S. W. Brayton & Co. In 1870 the inside of the mill was completely destroyed by fire, causing severe loss to the partners. The mill was immediately rebuilt and enlarged, S. W. Brayton buying his partner's interest in the concern, the firm being S. W. Brayton.
In 1871 Mr. Brayton sold all his real estate in the Beaver, in- cluding the mill, water privilege, tenements, store, etc., to W. AV. Gallup, Chester Baily, A. C. Houghton and Arthur A. Smith. The firm was known as Gallup, Baily & Co. Soon after the other partners bought Mr. Baily 's interest, the firm being changed ta Gallup, Houghton & Smith. In 1877 William Arthur Gallup bought the interest of W. W. Gallup, and in the same year Messrs. Gallup and Houghton bought Mr. Smith's interest. The firm was then changed to Gallup & Houghton. The company now are run- ning 210 looms, employ about 150 hands, and turn out 1,500 pieces, of print cloth each week.
ESTES FACTORY.
In the year '1825, David Estes & Son erected a brick mill 46x31 feet and four stories high. This afterwards formed a part of the-
'76 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
mill near the Eagle street bridge, which was burned in 1845. The machinery at first consisted of 180 spindles and 9 looms. Satinets were manufactured. Connected with the same was a wooden build- ing for cloth dressing, also 150 spindles for making satinet warps.
TURNING SHOPS.
S. Burlingame, in 1824, commenced the turning business in the lower room of the Eagle factory. Previous to this, temporary lathes were fitted up wherever power could be obtained.
Mr. Fuller commenced the business in Tinkers machine shop, -and was succeeded by S. Burlingame.
Homer F. Darby succeeded Mr. Burlingame, his shop was on Kiver street.
Ezra and Alvin Leonard, in 1831, commenced the business of general wood turning, bobbin makers, etc., in the building ad- joining the saw mill on the west bank of the river near Main street bridge. .They afterwards erected a shop on Brooklyn street which they occupied for a number of years.
THE UNION.
This important section of our village was originally known as the ''Gory lot." This name was probably given it as a burlesque, from the fact of a colored man and his family named Gory living there solitary and alone. He was employed in the flax machine, then standing upon the site of the Slater mill. This flax machine was built in the year 1800, by Bethuel Finney, owner of the land •and mill privilege. About 1811 George Whitman purchased of Mr. Finney the whole premises and operated the machine for •some years, when the dam and mill were carried away by a heavy freshet.
In 1816 Mr. Whitman disposed of the whole property to Giles Tinker for the sum of $600. This purchase included the whole tract of land and three water privileges from the upper Union street bridge to the top of the hill above the Eclipse mill. Mr. 'Tinker, in 1826, sold to Artemas Crittenden and Salmon Burlin- game the water-power and one and a half acres of land, afterwards a part of the Ingalls, Tyler & Co.'s property, for $150.
In 1830 Dr. Isaac Hodges purchased of Giles Tinker all the re- maining land and water-power described above for $700. Dr. Hodges, A. Sanford and Joshua B. Hodges, erected the Slater mill jn 1832. Dr. Hodges sold to 0. Arnold & Co. in 1831, a water- power and three acres of land for $300. In 1830 he also sold to Willard Gould and Gad Smith three acres of land and water-power for a saw mill, just above the Eclipse mill.
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 77.
THE UNION WOOLEN FACTORY.
This establishment was commenced in 1826 by Artemas Critten- den and Salmon Burlingame. The reader is referred to the sketch on Mr. Crittenden for the early history of this mill. After the property passed into the hands of W. E. Brayton, he sold his two- thirds of the property to Samuel Ingalls, Edward Burke and Rod- man H. Wells. The entire capital of Wells, Ingalls and Burke amounted to about ^1,000. At this time Mr. Wells was not quite twenty-one years of age.
In the same year, 1829, this firm purchased more land and built an addition to the south end of their factory, renting a part to Arnold, Blinn & Co., for the manufacture of cotton goods.
In 1831 Ingalls and Wells purchased the interest of Mr. Burke and became sole proprietors.
In 1836 a further addition was made to the length of the build- ing, and the machinery increased to eighteen looms. In 1845 Mr.. Wells retired from the firm and Duty S. Tyler became his sue cessor.
On the otli of May, 1852, the factory building, and most of the^ machinery, with a considerable quantity of stock, was destroyed by fire. The loss was heavy above the insurance. The flames had scarcely ceased to smoulder, however, before a new mill was started, which was finished the same year. The mill was filled with new and the latest improved machinery.
In 1854 Sanford Blackinton purchased an interest in the con- cern, the firm being known as Ingalls, Tyler & Co. In 1857 Dea- con Tyler died, after which for three years the mill was run by Messrs. Ingalls and Blackinton with the heirs of Mr. Tyler. lui 1860 the company was reorganized, Mr. Ingalls retaining his inter- est, JohnB. Tyler buying his father's interest of the heirs, and H. Clay Bliss purchasing Mr. Blackinton's interest, the firm retaining the name of Ingalls, Tyler & Co. Upon the death of Mr. Ingalls,. in 1863, Messrs. Tyler and Bliss purchased the entire property, under the firm name of Tyler & Bliss, doing business until 1869,. when the financial crash of that year carried them down. The mill was never run after this, the property falling into the hands, of their creditors. In 1882 Messrs. A. C. Houghton and William A. Gallup purchased the property, and the building was sold to< the town to be converted into a schoolhouse.
JOHNSON MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
In 1831 Stephen B. Brown formed a partnership with Duty S.. Tyler, under the firm name of Brown & Tyler, for the manufac-
'78 HISTORY OF NOEOH ADAMS.
ture of print goods. They purchased of George Whitman for the sum of $800 the water power and about nine acres of land adjoin- ing, now the site of the mill of the Johnson Manufacturing Com- pany. They built a stone mill, the material of which was drawn from near the summit of the mountain north of the premises. The means of the two partners were comparatively small. Mr. Brown had about $8000 and Mr. Tyler 14000. The new establishment commenced printing goods in the spring of 1832, and carried on ^n extensive and prosperous business for about eight years, during which time the plant was increased by the purchase of about 300 -acres of land adjoining the print works.
In 1839 Mr. Brown bought out Mr. Tyler^s interest and received ^as partners Elisha Harris of Providence, R. I., and Arthur F. Wil- marth. The new firm was Brown Harris & Co. An immediate 'heavy outlay was incurred for new machinery, etc. Mr. Brown went to Europe and engaged a large force of hands, paying their ♦expenses htre and giving them high wages for the time. From this cause, in part, and from the importation of low-priced de- laines in competition to the high-priced prints they were making, the company met with indifferent success, and in 1846 were 'obliged to suspend operations. From this time until 1850 the mill remained idle. In this year, however, Sylvander Johnson re- turned from Copake, N. Y., and established a concern for the manufacture of cotton warps, which business he carried on suc- cessfully up to 1872, when his mill was burned to the ground. In the following year the main part of the mill now standing was completed and a stock company formed with ^|^. Johnson at the head. Here he continued until his death, in May, 1882. At i;he annual meeting of the directors in the fall of that year his son, William S. Johnson, was elected president of the concern, which 'office he held in connection with the treasurership. This arrange- ment continued for one year, when he resigned the office of treas- urer, but continued the presidency of the concern. In 1884 Mr. D. D. Parmlee was elected treasurer.
GOULD MILL.
This mill occupied a site just north of Union street, near the first bridge from Eagle street. The main building was erected and ■owned by Caleb B. Turner in 1826, and filled with machinery for the manufacture of cotton goods. From 1831 to 1834 it was used by C. B. Turner and Turner & Laflin. In 1835 they built an ad- •dition to the south end of the mill and rented it to S. Burlingame '& Co., who furnished it with machinery for the manufacture of
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 79
satinets. About 1840 Willard and Samuel Gould rented the building and furnished it with cotton machinery. The building ^nd water power were afterwards owned by James E. Marshall, who made print cloths. The building was afterwards owned by A. W. Eichardson & Co., and was leased to George W. Bly for the manufacture of cotton batting. In 1862, a greater water power being needed for mills down the stream, the dam of this mill was removed and the building demolished.
STONE MILL, RIVER STREET.
This mill was erected in 1831 by Edward Richmond and Gen. Jabez Hall. The water power and three acres of land cost $300. The factory building and three dwelling houses cost $7000. At first twenty looms were put in with a complement of machinery. Print cloths were manufactured. Loring Darby was for a time one of the partners of the concern. Since 1842, when the prop- -erty was sold to Joseph Marshall, it has passed through the same hands and constituted a part of the same property as that now owned by the Freeman Manufacturing Company.
BROOKLYN.
That portion of our village lying north of River street, and known as Brooklyn, was until 1833 a dense forest of valuable pine and oak timber, being a reserve lot of about seventy acres retained by the heirs of the original owner, Elisha Brown, of North Provi- dence, R. I. It was the only pine lot left in this section. About the year mentioned above Joel P. Cada purchased, in connection with his brother, the entire seventy acres of timber land for the low price of $2000. Mr. Cada eventually became sole owner, cut and sawed the timber, and sold the same for building shafts, etc., of water wheels. About 1846 Mr. Cada began selling building lots at from $50 to $100 or more per acre. Messrs. Leon- ards erected the first house and also a turning shop. Liberty street was laid out about the year 1852. Some portions of the land along the line of this street were sold to a Mr. Myers at $42 per acre. In 1868 Mr. A. C. Houghton purchased the entire property of what is now Houghtonville proper, there then being only a few houses on the hill north of North street. He im- mediately commenced clearing off brush and laying out the streets. The building of houses was soon after begun by Mr. Houghton, and were sold at considerable profit to the owner. Although he has sold a large share of the land and houses, he still retains quite a farm and a number of dwellings in this district.
80 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
NORTH ADAMS MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
The manufacturing establishment known as Braytonville is lo- cated one mile west of this village on the road to Williamstown. The water power is one of the most extensive and valuable in town, comprising both branches of the Hoosac. In 1831 William E. and Thomas A. Brayton formed a partnership under the firm name of T. A. Brayton & Co., and purchased of Luke Brown the water power and two and a half acres of land for the sum of $520. The building of a dam and the excavation of a canal for bringing water to the wheels were expensive. In 1832 this company erected a stone mill, 40x74 feet, three stories high, with an attic. The stone for building was drawn from near the summit of the moun- tain north of the premises. The first set of machinery was built by Captain Giles Tinker, consisting of twenty looms and prepara- tion. Print cloths were manufactured, 52 by 52. Most other mills made 44 by 44 at that time. The firm added more land to their first purchase soon after starting. In 1853 William E. sold his interest to Thomas A. Brayton. In 1851 an addition of wood, 40 feet long, was built at the west end of the mill, and in 1859 a further addition of 24 feet. About 1863 a stock company was formed, with S. Blackinton as president and Daniel Dewey treas- urer. The large brick mill was built by this company. Mr. Dewey was the prime mover in the forming of this company, and for a time the name of the factory village was changed to Deweyville. After his retirement from the concern, however, the name was changed back to Braytonville. Upon the retirement of Mr. Dewey, in 1868, Mr. William Blackinton became the active business manager, and held it until his death in 1876. After this Mr. 0. A. Archer was appointed treasurer, Mr. Sanford Blackin- ton still continuing as president of the concern. In 1878 the company was reorganized, with H. G. B. Fisher president and E, B. Penniman treasurer and agent. The works now have fifty looms, employ 275 hands, and turn out about 20,000 yards of six-quarter fancy cassimeres per month.
FREEMAN PRINT WORKS.
These works dates from the year 1828 and are probably the oldest works of the kind in this section. In that year Caleb B. Turner purchased the land of Otis Hodge, Jr., erected a small building, and in the next year commenced the printing of cotton goods. In 1830, part of his works and a large lot of goods were destroyed by fire, causing him a serious loss. In 1831 he took in as a part- ner Walter Laflin, and this firm erected the main brick building
HISTORY OF XORTH ADAMS. 81
of the present works and a part of the outbuildings. In the gen- eral suspension and crash of financial matters in 1837 the firm failed. From this time until 1843 the works remained idle and be- came considerably dilapidated. In that year, however, the prop- erty was purchased by Joseph and James E. Marshall, who repaired and rebuilt in part, leasing the establishment for a term of years to Harvy Arnold and Jerome B. Jackson. In 1847, and before the lease with these gentlemen expired, a print works owned by Messrs. Marshall, in Hudson, N. Y., was burned, and this led to an arrange- ment with Arnold and Jackson, whereby they printed Marshall's goods on joint account. This arrangement was continued about eighteen months, until December 31, 1848, when James E. Mar- shall became sole owner of all the property of Joseph and James E. Marshall. On the first of January, 1S49, he sold his entire manufacturing interest, including the Stone, Estes, Eagle and Gould mills, also the print works, to R. H. Wells, Joseph L. White^ Amasa W. Richardson and Jerome B. Jackson. About 1860 Messrs. A. W. Richardson and Samuel Gaylord purchased the in- terest of all the other partners and did business together until Mr. Gaylord's death in 1862. Mr. Richardson became sole owner of the entire concern.
In 1863 W. W. Freeman, L. L. Brown and William S. Black- inton, purchased an interest in the entire property of A. W. Rich- ardson under the firm name of Richardson, Freeman & Co. In 1864 Mr. Richardson sold his entire interest in the concern^ and the name was changed to W. W. Freeman & Co. The Eagle mill had Just been completed and the machinery placed in which had previously been ordered by Mr. Richardson. The print works was running with two machines. Improvements in the property were constantly made from that time until it reached a capacity of seven machines. In 1874 the name was again changed to the Free- man Manufacturing Company. Upon the death of Mr. Blackinton in 1876, L. L. Brown purchased his interest from the heirs. In 1881 Mr. Freeman, being of ill health, was obliged to retire from business, and on the eighth of February of that year, the interest of W. W. and Wallace Freeman, about one-half the concern, was purchased by L. L. Brown and John Bracewell, who changed the firm name to Freeman Manufacturing Co. The plant now includes all the water privilege, buildings and machinery of Freeman P. W. Eagle, Estes and Stone mills on Union and River streets, together with all the tenements connected with this property. The com- pany run eleven machines, employ 600 hands, paying them about $20,000 every four weeks.
82 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
GREYLOCK FACTORY.
In 1846, Messrs. McLellan, Hunter & Co., purchased of Deacon David Temple, the water-power and ten acres of land for $1,000. They erected a wooden building, put in machinery for cotton manu- facturing and built two dwelling-houses at a cost of about 112,000. The goods made were yard wide sheetings.
In 1848 the proprietors sold the whole premises to Ansel B. Kain, who failed to make proper payments, and the property reverted to the original owners. November 1, 1851, James Hunter sold his interest to his partners. They soon after disposed of one- half the entire property to Mason B. Green, who only remained about six months. In 1851 the entire property was sold to Messrs. Pitt and Snow, the latter soon retiring but the former continuing the business until 1856, when he became insolvent. In 1857 R. R. Andrews purchased the entire property of the assignees. He made some improvements in the mill and tenements, and manufactured yard wide sheetings. In the financial crash succeeding the war, Mr. Andrews made an assignment, although he continued to run for three years after. About 1872 a stock company was formed who built an elegant brick mill, but the company did not exist long enough to finish and furnish it. In 1880 the present company was formed with Theodore Pomero}', of Pittsfield, as president. The company was formed for the manufacture of ging- hams, having a capital stock of $250,000. In 1882, William 0. Plunkett became president of the company, which position he held until his death. William B. Plunkett is at present the business manager. The mills have 325 looms, giving employment to about 400 hands, and turn out about 250,000 yards of goods per month. They have greatly enlarged the works, built new tenements and greatly improved the grounds at the expense of many thousands of dollars. It will be hard to find a more complete factory village in this section of the country than Greylock.
WHOLESALE BOOT AND SHOE MANUFACTURERS.
In 1843 Edwin Ohilds and David C. Rogers commenced manu- facturing boots and shoes in Penniman's row. In 1845, the busi- ness extending, they leased and occupied the building now occupied by Tower & Porter, on Eagle street, and Harvey Ingraham became a partner. In 1847 Mr. Childs retired from the firm. In 1847 Joshua K. Rogers became a partner in the firm of Rogers, Ingra- ham & Co. In 1850 George Millard bought out this firm, taking as partners Harvey Ingraham and W. P. Waterbury. In 1857 Mr. Millard bought out his partners and conducted the business alone.
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 83
In 1848 Edwin S. Rogers became connected with the firm which was known by the name of E. Eogers & Co.. The scarcity of cash in those days is well illustrated by the following : During Mr. Rogers^ connection with the firm the entire product of the factory was sold in adjoining towns within a radious of forty or fifty miles from North Adams, being carted in teams among the farmers and retailers. The pay received for the goods was almost wholly in farmers produce of butter, eggs, etc., while the help in the factory were paid for their labor in the same articles. After two or three years Mr. Rogers severed his connection with the firm which became George Millard & Sons, Alden and Henry Millard becom- ing partners w^ith their father. Alden retired and Henry and his father continued the business.
Upon the death of George Millard, Henry S., bought of the heirs his father's interest and took as a partner, Jerome B. Jackson. The firm of Millard & Jackson only continued for a short time. They, however, built the brick factory on Union street now occu- pied by N". L. Millard, In 1867 Wra. H. Whitman purchased of Mr. Jackson his interest in the concern, and the firm became Mil- lard & Whitman. They conducted the business until 1874, when Norman L, Millard purchased the interest of Henry S. Millard^ when the firm name was changed to Whitman & Millard. In 1882 Mr. Whitman sold out to his partner, and N. L. Millard be- came the sole proprietor, the business being conducted alone by him since that to the present time.
H. T. CADY's
Shoe manufactory was established in 1866 by Wm. G. and H. T. Oady, under the firm name of Oady Bros., who continued the business until 1880, when H. T. became sole owner.
W. G. CADY & CO.
Was established in 1883, by W. G. Oady and S. H. Fairfield, under the above name. They manufacture gents' and ladies' fine sewed shoes.
WHITMAN, CANEDY & CO.
Was established in 1884, by W. H. Whitman, Monroe Canedy and W. J. Wilkinson. They also manufacture gents' sewed shoes.
SAMPSON MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
The foundations of the Sampson Manufacturing Co. were laid in 1850, when George C. Millard bought the odds and ends of a bank- rupt manufacturer's stock of boots and brogans, and 0. T. Samp-
84 HISTORY OF NORTH jLDAMS.
son was invited to look it over and undertake to sell it off. H© took a load in his wagon, made trips through the adjoining towns and in four days had disposed of the load for cash and butter^ making a profit of 125. He made other trips with similar results until he had disposed of the entire lot. He then sold his farm in Stamford, and in 1850 moved his family to this village with the idea of engaging in business, having now saved about $300. April 24, 1851, he obtained three month's credit of Boston parties on a small stock of goods. He carried his goods from house to house in a valise, and in less than ten days had sold them all out. On the 18th of the following November he oj)ened a store which he carried on for a retail trade until 1858, passing successfully through the financial crisis of 1857. He then sold out his retail business and began manufacturing in a small way, jobbing his own goods with those of other manufacturers. Up to the time of the war he had accumulated about $16,000. He lost, however, considerably from Southern debtors and became seriously embarassed, soon,, however, regaining a substantial foothold. Between 18G8 and 1870, began Mr. Sampson's conflict with the labor organization,, known as ^'Knights of St. Crispin." He discharged some of the members whom he knew to be active in the organization, and sent to North Brookfield for other help. He engaged forty-five men on explicit terms, but they were soon prevailed upon by the Cris-^ pins to throw up their contracts. He therefore resorted to the novel expedient of employing Chinese labor in his factory, pro- curing a number from San Francisco. Seventy-five were at first hired, and they arrived here on the 13th of June, 1870, amid con- siderable excitement. The number was afterwards increased tO' 123, who remained here about ten years. This completely broke up the Crispins society in this section, and in fact in the whole country. The firm now turn out about fifty cases of shoes per week, giving employment to 350 hands.
XORTH ADAMS IRON COMPANY.
In 1845 the iron interest being very prosperous and rapidly developing, the whole region of the country around North Adams was prospected in search of iron ore. In the spring of 1846,^ Nelson H. Stevens, of Eichmond obtained leases of several ore beds in Adams and vicinity, and purchased at a cost of $6,000 the Hodge and Dean Tannery near Main street bridge in this village,, and also leased at an annual rent of $200, a ten horse-power of James E. Marshall, who then owned the Phoenix mill. During^ the summer and autumn of 1846, Mr. Stevens,, in connection with
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 85
Seneca Pettee, erected a blast furnace on the above premises at a cost of about $6,000, for the manufacture of the best quality of charcoal pig iron. The business was commenced in December of that year.
During the session of the general court in the winter of 1847, a charter was obtained, and the stockholders were incorporated un- der the name of the North Adams Iron Company, Mr. Stevens having previously sold one-fourth of his interest to Rodman H. Wells, one-fourth to J. N. Chapin, and one-eighth to Charles K. Bingham. The valuation of the whole property was $32,000 for the furnace and fixtures, stock of coal, ore on hand, ore bed leases and the Paul wood lot.
Previous to the formation of this company L. C. Thayer, AVm. Hodgkins and J. Q. Robinson, 2d, had purchased the Kingsley ore bed and ten acres of land, situated on the east road, about one mile south of the village, paying for same $500. A lease was exe- cuted to the company at twenty-five cents per ton for the privilege of taking out the ore, on condition that the furnace should be built north of said ore bed thus securing the iron manufacture to this vicinity.
Owing to the difficulty of smelting the ores, the enterprise did not succeed well for the first year, but afterwards, on procuring different ores, successful blasts were made, averaging from 1,600 to 1,800 pounds per blast, and about five tons of pig iron per day. The iron was sold by the shrewd negotiation of Mr. Wells as high as 135 and $40 per ton.
Abouts 1848 or ^49 the original proprietors disposed of their in- terests and the business passed into other hands, James E. Mar- shall was for several years interested and its chief manager. The principal ore beds failing in their production, however, the price of iron declining to about $20 per ton, and from other causes, the company suspended, and went into insolvency in 1858. The panic of 1857 delt it a mortal blow and the fires were extinguished the year following.
In July, 1858, the furnace and all its fixtures passed by assignee's sale into the hands of Jno. A. Beckley, of Canaan, Ct., a practical iron manufacturer. Under his supervision the furnace yielded from six to eight tons of excellent pig iron per day. Most of the ore being brought from the southern part of the county and from Connecticut.
During the early days of the war this firm secured a government contract to furnish iron for the construction of war ships. The iron clad '* Monitor" was made wholly from iron furnished from
86 HISTORY OF KORTH ADAMS.
this furnace. The product gave such splendid satisfaction that they were at once awarded a larger contract. In the spring of 1862, while they were preparing for a fulfillment of the contract, the works caught fire, were burned to the ground and never rebuilt.
TANNERIES.
The first tannery established in this village was located on the west bank of the south branch of the river nearly opposite Hodge's grist mill. It was first known as the Luther Bartlett, and after- wards as the Hodge and Dean tannery. A large business was done for many years, especially while it was owned by Hodge and Dean» It was discontinued in 1846, when the property passed into the hands of the North Adams Iron Company.
In 1831, Messrs. Merriam, Hatch and W. D. S. Hurlbut, pur- chased of Turner and Laflin for $200 the lot and water privilege on Union street, and erected a building 30x76 feet for a tannery. After carrying on the business for three years, they sold the prop- erty to Captain A. Bixby. It was leased for about three years iu part by Captain Hatch for a batting mill, and in part by Elijah Pike, as a stone cutting shop. In 1837, Liberty Bartlett, formerly of Williamstown, rented the premises for two years, carrying on the tannery in connection with the pelt business, pulling some 16,000 skins. In 1839 A. C. Crandall leased the property and carried on the business about one year. In 1840 Ira Bennett formed a co-partnership with Mr. Crandall, and they continued the busi- ness until 1842. Captain Bixby sold the real estate to Charles Taylor, of Hancock, who carried on the business with Mr. Bennett until the fall of 1843, when Alfred Olds purchased all of Mr. Taylor's interest and continued the business with Mr. Bennett for three years. Mr. B. retired in 1846 and Mr. Olds continued the business until his decease in 1851. In that year the premises were leased of the administrators by Messrs. Crandall & Bennett, and these gentlemen formed a co-partnership with A. P. Butler, who at that time owned the Eagle Bridge tannery. These gentle- men operated both establishments on joint account until 1854 or ^55. At this time Dean & Bellows purchased the Olds tannery and began to enlarge. Bellows retired in 1856, and in the same year Crandall and Bennett purchased equal shares in with Messrs. S. E. & H. N. Dean, at the same time selling them one-half the Eagle Bridge tannery, making a joint interest in both establishments. The business was conducted under their management until 1859, when Crandall and Bennett bought out the interest of Messrs. Dean, and sold one-third the real and personal estate to A. P. But-
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 87
ler. The firmVas known as Crandall, Bennett & Co., their annual product being about $45,000, principally card leather.
Upon the death of Mr. Butler in 1869, Mr. Read bought his interest from the heirs, and also A. C. CrandalFs in- terest. In 1871 Mr. Jonathan Brooks bought in, and later D. J. Barber also purchased an interest. The firm was now known as 0. II. Read & Co. In 1875 Mr. Barber bought Mr. Read's inter- est, firm Brooks & Barber, and when Mr. Brooks died in 1875 Mr» Barber purchased his interest from the heirs. The firm is known now as D. J. Barber.
In 1843 Benjamin Dean bought the house and lot adjoining Eagle bridge for $700, and erected a building 34x40 feet for a tan- nery. In 1844 he sold the premises to S. M. Dean who carried on the business until 1847, when Ira Bennett bought the property. He soon sold it to L. Bartlett and A. P. Butler for $3,000, who conducted the business until 1850. In 1851 Mr. Butler formed a copartnership with Crandall & Bennett, and both tanneries were carried until 1855, when Mr. Butler sold his entire interest to Crandall & Bennett. In 1856 S. E. & H. N. Dean, of South Adams, became part owners and so continued until 1859, when the property passed into the hands of Smith & Amidon, and was dis- continued as a tannery.
PROMINENT CITIZENS.
CHAPTER XI.
CAPTAIIN JEREMIAH COLGROVE was born in Rhode Island in 1758. He learned the trade of a blacksmith. He was drafted into the Revolutionary army at the age of 21, where he served for two or three years as a minute-man or coast guard. Nearly all this time he was employed as an armorer or gunsmith. His father and three brothers were in some hard fights at Newport, and lie burned to be in the thickest of the fray, but duty forbad. He never knew the meaning of the word ''fear." Many stories are related of his iron nerve and presence of mind in times of extreme danger. He was about six feet tall, finely proportioned, athletic, nimble and ready to lead off in any emergency. He employed a ^reat number of men, and some of them were absolute giants. He never asked any one to do more work than liimself. His word of command was ''come on" not "go on," but his personal bearing and the expression of his eyes were in themselves commanding. He was quick in decision, prompt, persevering and thorough in action. Captain Colgrove emigrated to Charlton, Worcester county, in 1784, following his trade as a blacksmith there for ten years. He made a visit to this town in 1793, was struck with its immense water power and moved here in the following year. His business enterprises for several years have already been mentioned; his foresight and keen practical judgment were of more service in developing the resources of the town than in enriching himself. That lie "could see farther into a millstone" than many around him is proven by a remark often made to his wife, who sometimes repined at the frowning mountains and the rough, uncultivated
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 89
^appearance of the country. '*Ah," he would say, ^'don't fret, tliis will be a city yet; such water power wasn't made for nothing.'* €aptain Colgrove gained his military title prior to 1800, and held it until in 1806 his son received the same commission. He was a justice of the peace for more than twenty years, and was a terror to evil-doers. He held several petty town offices, and might have held more but for his unpopular political sentiments. He was an ardent, outspoken Federalist, while the town was very strongly Democratic, giving a majority of over 100 in some 250 votes. He performed the hazardous duty of challenger at the polls and was a great tactician, or ^^wire-puller" as it would now be called. He could fathom all the designs of his opponents, and his council and^ aid were continually sought by the Federalists of this county. His natural penetration and fertility of mind more than supplied the lack of early education. He was, in short, one of nature's truest noblemen, a sincere Christian, though not a church member ; spotless in moral character and integrity, of frank hospitality and great benevolence to the sick and unfortunate. He gave them his personal attention and substantial aid no matter how pressing his private business. In times of trouble his political enemies (he had no other) would go to him sooner than to many of their own partizans, for he was trusty, sympathizing, a man of his word in all things and a whole-souled friend.
PROTECTION TO A FUGITIVE SLAVE.
About the year 1802 a oolored woman, who had fled from slavery in the state of New York, came to this village closely pur- sued by some kidnappers from Hoosick or that vicinity. She was directed to Captain Colgrove, whose warm sympathy with misfor- tune, ready faculty for circumventing rascals, great physical strength and unshrinking courage made him conspicuous. She ran to his door crying : " For God's sake save me I" Her under lip was torn and a large wound was bleeding on the side of her face. Her pursuers were in sight and rapidly approaching over Furnace hill. Captain Colgrove took the poor creature by the hand, led her quickly though his house, across his garden and into the grist mill, then standing where now stands the mill of M. D. & A. W. Hodge. He ordered the mill to be stopped and told his faith- ful miller. Captain Ray, not to allow the gate to be hoisted by anybody till further orders. He then secreted the panting fugitive in the water wheel, which was a kind of undershot. Returning to his house, the kidnappers soon came there and demanded that he •should give up the negro woman, whom they had seen enter there
90 HISTORY OF XORTH ADAMS.
a few moments before. He replied that they might find her if they could. They searched the house from cellar to attic, -then the woodshed, and lastly the mill very thoroughly. Though they looked at the water wheel, they were in such a hurry or in so tipsy a condition that they did not discover the woman. They departed,, blustering and blaspheming furiously, to imbibe at the Black tavern something that would give them '^Dutch courage.'^ Still entertaining suspicions of Captain Colgrove, this ungodly squad again visited his house and attempted to bully him into a confes- sion, threatening to search his house a second time. They wera boldly met and refused, the Captain telling them that one search was sufficient, and if they entered his premises again it would be across his dead body. They looked at his stalwart form, quailed at his flashing eye and ingloriously backed out. In the meantime the hunted fugitive had been taken from the water wheel and secreted in the tool room up stairs. Another search being expected. Cap- tain Ray, in order to ward off the suspicion which might arise by the mill being stopped so long, removed the hopper and busied himself sharpening up the millstones. The miserable slave hunt- ing scamps were scared out of a second search, and after dark the poor fugitive was conveyed to the house of John Waterman (also a warm friend of the unfortunate), a short distance south of the vil- lage, where she lived about three years. The savage wounds on her lip never completely healed, but were speaking testimonials against the heathenish system from which she fled.
Captain Colgrove died in this village August 26th, 1837, aged 79 years. His estimable wife survived him about fourteen years. Her maiden name was AVaterman, and she was an aunt of AVilliam Waterman of Williamstown. Her marriage took place in 1782, and for the last few years of her life she enjoyed a pension from the Federal government for the Revolutionary services of her hus- band.
GILES TINKER.
It is not too much to claim that our village and its present inter- ests are heavily indebted to the energy, skill, industry and indom- itable perseverence of such men as Giles Tinker, Artemas Critten- den, Rufus Wells, Thomas Higgenbottom, Caleb B. Turner, Stephen B. Brown and Duty S. Tyler, as well as others previously mentioned.
Giles Tinker was a mechanic, and one of uncommon ingenuity and power of mind considering the times in which he lived and the circumstances under which he commenced and carried on business..
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 91'
He was born in Lyme, Conn., and in 1802, at the age of 21, he came- to reside in this small village of twenty-five houses.
Mr. Tinker commenced the manufacture of wool carding machines with no previous experience. The first one he con- structed in some portion of the premises of David Estes, on River street. That indispensable mechanic, Joseph Darby, performed, the iron work. All portions of the machine which could be so constructed were made of wood.
Mr. Tinker and Captain E. Eichmond formed a copartnership in 1804 for the manufacture of carding machines, occupying a building on the west side of Bank street, near the corner of Main. Afterwards each worked on his own account in the same shop.
In 1805 Mr. Tinker married the daughter of Richard Knight, a wealthy farmer, w^ho owned and occupied the Daniel Wells place^ in Braytonville.
In 1809 he purchased the house and lot, embracing some two. acres or more, fronting on Main street from Bank to J. H. Adams' block. The price paid was 12000.
In 1811, when the spirit of enterprise in the cotton manufacture had begun to spread from Rhode Island, its first seat in this coun- try, a company was formed by the citizens of this and adjoining towns for the erection of the ^'old brick factory.*' Mr. Tinker and Captain E. Richmond were shareholders, and a contract was. made with them to construct the necessary machinery. The con- tract embraced all the improvements extant for cotton machinery — the spinning frames and mules, but not the picker or power loom, which were then unknown. The usual terms were to build at so much per spindle, including preparation. The job was taken, by Tinker & Richmond at $16 per spindle, amounting to about $7000, and affording a net profit to the contractors of about 12000.
In 1822 Estes & Crittenden, who were engaged in manufacturing satinets in the old mill on River street, paid 10 cents per yard for the hand weaving of satinets. About this time Mr. Tinker, being desirous of testing the power loom, made arrangements to try the operation of one in this mill. He went to North Providence, R. I., and procured a power loom all fitted up. This was the first satinet power loom ever brought into Western Massachusetts.
Soon afterwards he introduced the first cotton power loom for the Eagle factory, which factory in 1813 he, with four other gen- tlemen, had erected and put in operation.
In 1815 he sold his interest in this mill and engaged in the mer- cantile business, as silent partner, with W. E. Brayton. This con- tinued till 1822, Mr. Tinker still carrying on his machine shop..
'92 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
In 1826 he was connected with E. D. Whitaker in merchandizing.
In 1820 he was commissioned as captain of the military company here.
In 1825, the business of his machine shop had so increased, he purchased of Captain J. Colgrove the old grist mill and water privilege and erected a building on the site now owned and occu- pied by M. D. & A. W. Ilodge as a grist mill.
In 1829 he erected for his own residence a building on the east corner of Main and Bank streets, which in later years was known •as the '^Kimbell homestead, '' and is at present the site of the Adams National Bank.
In the fall of 1832 Mr. Tinker's health began to fail from close application to his business and from the effects of a severe cold contracted by exposure in water while making repairs. He showed marked symptoms of consumption. By the advice of physicians -and friends he concluded to winter at St. Augustine, Fla., hoping for improvement, if not restoration, in that genial climate. He left home in good spirits, and was accompanied from Troy by a gentleman going out for the same purpose. Upon the passage he either took cold or the salt air was too bracing for him, as he com- plained of feeling more unwell upon his arrival, which was Christ- mas day. His death was as sudden as it was afflicting to his family •and friends. While leaning back in his chair on the 1st of Janu- ary, 1833, his friend, being absent from the room a moment, heard •a heavy fall upon the floor. On entering he found that Mr. Tinker had fallen over backwards. Being asked if he was hurt, he replied : *^ Not much." He never spoke again. He died the same day, in the 52nd year of his age.
Mrs. Tinker did not survive the sudden shock of her husband's •death but a short time. She died February 27, 1833.
DEACOX ARTEMAS CRITTENDEN
was born in Conway, this state, and at a proper age learned the •^clothier's trade. In 1810 he removed to this village and worked at his trade for Captain Colgrove. In 1813 he erected the first fac- tory at Blackinton. It was a wooden structure 25 by 60 feet, three stories high. It was intended for the manufacture of satinets and ■all-wool cloth, in part by machinery, and is supposed to have been the first mill of the kind erected in this county. Wool carding and cloth dressing was also carried on in this mill. About 1817 Mr. Crittenden sold all his interests to John Willey, who sold the .property to Aaron Foot in 1821. Mr. Crittenden removed to Pownal, Vt., and engaged in the same business on a limited scale.
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 93;
About 1819 he returned to tliis village and rented the clothing works of Captain Colgrove, doing quite a large business. In 1822 he formed a partnership with Evenel Estes, and manufactured satinet in the clothing works of David Estes. In 1824 they dis- solved partnership, and Deacon Crittenden run the mill alone until 1825, when Salmon Burlingame became a partner, this ar- arrangement continuing for three years. In 182G Messrs. Crittenden & Burlingame purchased of Giles Tinker a water power in what was then termed the ^'Gory lot,'' and built a small factory on the site of that in later years owned and run by Ingalls, Tyler & Co. In 1828 Mr. Burlingame sold his interest to his partner and retired from the firm. In 1829 Edmond }^urke purchased an interest in the establishment. In the same year Mr. Crittenden sold his in-. terest to William E. Brayton, who had aided him in building, and Mr. Crittenden removed to Turin, N. Y., where he died about 1839.
The Congregational society of this village is largely indebted ta Mr. Crittenden, one of its first deacons, who was a most active and efficient workingman in the organization of the church, and aided to build their house of worship.
RUFUS WELLS.
Rufus Wells, the senior partner in the ''boys' factory," was born, in Cheshire in 1799, and labored on a farm until 16 years old. He then became an apprentice to Deacon Crittenden and learned the clothier's trade. It was while fellow apprentices that the three young men, Messrs. Wells, Blackinton and White, formed that in- timacy which resulted in their flourishing partnership. In 1823 Mr. Well^ was married to Miss Sylvia Blackinton, daughter of Deacon Otis and sister to Sanford Blackinton, who died in a few years. He then married Harriet B. Richards of Attleboro. In 1844, while Mr. Wells was overseeing some carpenter work, he was standing near one of the workmen, who was hewing logs with a broad-ax. The ax slipped from the hands of the workman, struck Mr. Wells on the head and inflicted a terrible wound. He never- recovered from the efl'ects of this. In 1845 he contracted typhoid fever and died in about ten days, the wound on his head making him a raving maniac during his last sickness. His funeral attracted large crowds from all this section, people coming from as far away as Providence in wagons to attend the ceremony, which, had to be held in the open air because of the crowd. Mr. Wella was a plain, unostentatious man, of great industry and persever- ence, a careful calculator, and his excellent business talents were-
'S4 HISTORY OF NOROH ADAMS.
^combined with high moral integrity, commanding the confidence -and respect of the community. His career was rather uneventful, as he sought not to make a figure in the w^orld, but to act well his .part in the great drama of life.
HARVEY ARNOLD.
Born in Adams June 16, 1806 ; died September 4, 1870. Re- •ceived an academic education at Wesleyan Academy, and began the study of medicine with Dr. Isaac Hodges, to whose daughter he was subsequently married. Compelled by ill health to abandon liis studies, he entered upon his career as a manufacturer in the spring of 1828, when he associated himself with his brother Oliver and Nathan Blinn, under the firm name of Arnold, Blinn & Co. From this time until his death his business interests were so closely connected with his brother Oliver that it would only be a recapitu- lation of that account to write them.
OLIVER ARNOLD
was born in Natick, R. I., October 18, 1801. About 1830 his father moved his family to this town, and Mr. Arnold went into the employ of Alvin Sanford, who made cotton and woolen ma- chinery for Giles Tinker. Here Mr. Arnold remained about two years, and then entered into partnership with Isaac Hodges and Alvin Sanford for the manufacture of cotton goods. The former was a successful ph3^sician, and only invested capital.
The style of the firm was Hodges, Sanford & Co. They hired a part of the factory on the Union privilege, put in fourteen looms •and the requisite machinery for caruing and spinning. Here they continued five years. Mr. Arnold next formed partnership with his brother Harvey and Nathaniel Blinn, under the style of Arnold, Blinn & Co. The new firm bought out the machinery of Hodges, Sanford & Co., and occupied the same premises for three and a half years. In 1831 they purchased the mill privilege immediately ^bove them and erected a stone factory, with two main stories, attic and basement. This mill, which, with alterations and addi- tions, has become a part of the Eclipse mill, was occupied in 1832, and their machinery was increased to twenty-one looms. At the same time Edmond Burke put in an equal amount of machinery, but did not engage in the manufacturing. Mr. Blinn sold his in- terest in the firm February 28, 1835, and the business was con- ducted by the brothers Arnold, under the firm style of 0. & H. Arnold. During the same year they purchased the machiney in this mill belonging to Mr. Burke.
In 1831 Isaac Hodges and Alvin Sanford had erected at thepriv-
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 96
ilege above them the Slater mill. In 1836 0. & II. ArDold bought this mill, its owners having failed. They had for some years sold their whole production to Turner & Laflin, who were carrying on the Union Print Works, now owned and occupied by the Freeman Manufacturing Company. In the finanicial crisis of 1837 Turner ■& Laflin failed. They were largely indebted to 0. & II. Arnold, and the latter firm was compelled to go into liquidation. The business was, however, soon started again by their younger brother, John F. Arnold, who had had charge of their accounts, and become a skillful accountant and financier. The business Avas conducted under the firm name of John F. Arnold until 1843.
A new partnership was formed August 10th of that year by the three brothers, under the style of 0. Arnold & Co. In 1844, the Union Print Works being idle, the Arnolds hired them. Jerome B. Jackson and Johnson D. Stewart were in partnership as far as the printing department was concerned, the business in which was -carried on under the style of Arnolds, Jackson & Co.
In 1856 A. W. Richardson & Co., who were engaged in manu- facturing print cloths at the Eagle mill, bought the Union Print Works property from James E. Marshall, and entered into a five years' contract with 0. Arnold & Co., under which they, in con- nection with Richardson & Co., were to supply the Print Works with cloths, each firm to share in the profits pro rata of the cloths supplied by them, and equally as to cloths purchased from outside firms. In June, 1856, Abiel P. Butler purchased from the assignees of Joseph L. White all the land now covered by M. D. & A. W. Hodges^ grist mill, Arnold Print Works and Sampson's shoe shop. lie soon sold an interest of one-half to 0. Arnold & Co., and they on the 5tli of August sold one-half of their interest to Willard S. Ray. A partnership was formed under the firm style of A. P. Butler & Co. A factory was erected and furnished with one hundred looms and the subsidiary machinery. Mr. Butler sold his interest to Jerome B. Jackson August 23, 1858, and the firm became changed to Jerome B. Jackson & Co. May 1, 1860, Mr. Jackson sold his interest to 0. Arnold & Co., the style of the firm being changed to Arnolds & Ray. In 1860 the Messrs. Arnolds •erected on the northern part of tlie property, buildings for a print works to be under their sole ownership and control. They were finished and ready to start at the expiration of their contract with Richardson & Co., in 1861.
May 28, 1873, the factory building of Arnolds & Ray, which had been known as the Phoenix mill, was sold to M. D. & A. W.
96 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
Hodge, and lias since been used as a flouring mill. The firm of Arnolds & Kay was at this time dissolved.
DUTY S. TYLER
was born at South Adams, March 27, 1799. In common with all the youths of that day he enjoyed very limited means of education. Being habituated to industry and self-reliance he entered the brick factory (known asPlunkett & Wheelers, at Adams), about 1820 or 1821, as an apprentice. Though he began at the lowest rounds of the ladder, he worked his way upwards, acquiring not only skill in the business but the confidence and goodwill of his employees and associates. In 1826 Mr. Tyler and S. B. Brown (his brother-in- law) hired the Turner mill. Here the young partners manufactured cotton striper. In 1828 they engaged with William Jenks in run- ning the Caleb Turner cotton mill of this village, on a three years lease, at the expiration of which, in 1831, the partnership was dissolved. In the same year the firm of Brown & Tyler was formed,, which existed for eight vears. (For particulars see Johnson manu- facturning Company.) In 1840 Mr. Tyler retired to his farm, which embraced all the land from the Western end of the ceme- taries till it joined that of Orson Wells in Braytonville. In 183& he exchanged certain property with Mr. Wells and became joint partner with Samuel Ingalls in the Union Mill. (See sketch of that mill.) He was elected president of the Adams National Bank in 1842 and held the office until his resignation from ill health in 1857, about fifteen years. He united with the Baptist church soon after his removal to this village in 1828, and was chosen one of its deacons in 1834, filling that station until his jdeath, August 27, 1857. In his death the church mourned the loss of one of its most exemplary, useful, liberal and devoted members, while the com- munity at large lost a reliable, practical and energetic business man.
WILLIAM WALLACE FREEMAN^
was born in Salem, this State, in the month of June, 1819. He was the youngest of a family of ten children. His early business, career was begun as a merchant of his native place, where he pros- pered for a number of years. In 1844 he was married to Catherine Russell. In 1849, he removed with his family to Adams, where ha established himself in a large country store. He was one of the principal founders of the old National bank, and was for two years, from 1861 to '63, cashier of that institution. In 1863 Mr. Free- man commenced his active business life in this village, which con-
HISTORY OF KORTH ADAMS. 97
tiiiued till his death. At remote intervals for many years, Mr. Freeman was troubled with affections of the heart, which resulted fatally on the 9th of October, 1881.
For a recapitulation of Mr. Freeman's business interests see article on Freeman Print Works.
WILLIAM E. BRaYTON,
Born in Ehode Island in 1789, came to this town in 1812. At first he worked in one of the mills as an operative, until he had saved enough to start in the mercantile business in a small way. In company with others he, in 1813, built the old Eagle factory,, which was the second cotton mill erected in town. In 182G he re- ceived the appointment of postmaster, which he held for a period of twenty-three years. That his service was satisfactory to the public at large is shown from the fact that he held the office through the administration of six presidents, four of whom he was opposed to in political sentiments, he being a whig, though not an active politician. In company with his brother Thomas, in 1631 he built the Braytonville mill where he continued until 1863. He died in 1865 after a most useful life at the age of 76 years.
CALEB B. TURNER
Was born in Cranston, R. I., July 7, 1789. In 1820 he removed to this village, and in connection with his brother Gershom, leased the Eagle factory, which had laid idle for several years. Just be fore the expiration of their lease, in 1823, the brothers dissolved partnership, and divided the profits, $1,500 to each. With this money Mr. Turner purchased the factory and machinery, includ- ing the water-power and land where the Gould mill stood, and a saw mill which stood near, all for the sum of $2,000.
Being a man of close observation, keen, astute perception, sound judgment and determined will, he was ever ready to investi- gate and adopt the modern improvements. He kept pace with the spirit of the times, and filled the Eagle mill with a complete set of machinery, including about twenty, power looms. In 1826 he built what was known as the Gould mill, placing in it twenty looms, and manufactured sheetings. In 1826 he built a brick store on the corner of Union and Eagle streets. In 1828 he leased his mills, dwellings and store to l>rown, Jenks & Tyler for three years. In 1828 he purchased the furnace then belonging to Otis Hodge, Jr., and the land now occupied by the Freeman Print Works, and erected first a small building adjoining the furnace, nd the next year commenced the printing of cloths. This was
98 HISTORY OF KOKTH ADAMS.
the first print works in the county, and probably the first in West- ern Massachusetts.
In 1831 Mr. Turner took in Walter Laflin as a joint partner in real and personal estate. Just before this partnership was formed Mr. Turner met with a serious loss by fire ; a portion of his print works and goods were destroyed, the loss being estimated at $8000. Turner & Laflin erected the main brick building of the present Freeman Print Works, and carried on a very extensive business until 1837.
In 1832 they gave the land for Union street, which was then opened, and $200 toward building the lower bridge. In 1832 they built a furnace on Union street and carried on machine making for their own use and for sale.
In the general crash and suspension of financial matters of 1837 the firm failed. After his failure Mr. Turner followed merchan- dizing. He died December 17, 1858, of paralysis. He did more than any other man at an early period to develop by pi:actical effort the cotton manufacture in this village, and he was the pio- neer in cotton printing.
SYLVANDER JOHNSON
was born in Stafford, Conn., February 2, 1815. At the age of 14 he went as one of the hands in a cotton mill at Chicopee, where he remained five years. He then came to this town, where he worked ■about four years more in the cotton mill at the Beaver, after which he went into the store there as clerk. Here he remained until 1837, when he commenced business in a small way for himself at South Adams. In 1849 he sold his interests there to W. W. Free- man and removed to Copake, N. Y., and engaged in the furnace business. This new business being unsuited to his taste it was abandoned in less than a year. In 1850 he returned to this village and established a concern for the manufacture of cotton warps, which business he carried on successfully to the date of his death. He was instrumental in getting gas and water in the village, was the principal mover in the Agricultural Society and was acknowl- edged one of the corner-stones of the town. He represented the town in the State Legislature in the years 1847, '57, '59, '64 and '^6, He was chosen to the Governor's Council in 1869 and 1870. He was also Selectman of the town for a number of years. Mr. Johnson's business connections will be found under the head of Johnson Manufacturing Company.
HISTORY OF NOETH ADAMS. 99
AMASA W. RICHARDSON
was born in this town March 4, 1816. In 1833 he left his father's farm and entered the store of Edmond Southwick, where he remained one year as a clerk. At the age of 20 he embarked in the fancy dry goods line, at which he continued until 1866. In 1849 he engaged with other parties in cotton manufacturing, making print cloths and printing, and was practically identified with this industry until 1867. He then sold out his entire interest. In 1862 he, with other parties, built what is known as the Eagle mill. In 1864 he assisted in rebuilding the Union Print Works. He was for five years engaged in paper manufacturing at South Adams. In 1865, when the gas works were organized, he was instrumental in bringing the company to working order. In 1838 he was married to Harriet M. Ingraham, his wife dying in 1854. In 1856 he was again married to Miss Esther Cone of Albany, N. Y. He died on the 4th of September, 1883.
SANFORD BLACKINTON
was born in Attleboro, Mass., December 10, 1797. His father, Otis, removed to this town when Sanford was but 2 years of age. At his death Mr. Blackinton was probably the wealthiest man in town, his property being variously estimated. For many years a member of the Baptist church, that society has often been indebted to him for most generous contributions, especially in building the present church edifice. It is related of him and his brothers, Peter and Noble, that they cleared the timber from the low lands in the cemetery, on the south side of the road, carted it to Blackinton and used it to burn brick, which they made themselves and built the brick house on what is known as the Blackinton farm. About 1865 he built the fine residence at the head of Main street, remov- ing into it from Blackinton, which previous to this had been his home. His first wife was a Miss Russell of Williamstown, and his second, who survived him. Miss Robinson of Attleboro. He left no children. His death occurred on the 24th of July, 1885. For more than sixty years his name was associated with the manufac- turing interests of this town, a full account of which will be found under the heads of Blackinton Woolen Company and North Adams Manufacturing Company*
ELISHA KINGSLEY
came to this town from Swansea, Mass., about 1790, locating in 1810 on road 23, where he died in 1849. Two sons, Elisha and Henry W., resided here, the former living at 60 Holden street and
100 HISTOKY OF NORTH ADAMS.
the latter occupying a farm adjoining that owned by his father. Henry died very suddenly of heart disease in 1884.
ORSON WELLS,
grandson of John Wells, one of the early settlers of Cheshire, was born in that town in 1795, and removed to this town in 1810, engaging in the manufacture of acid. He married Zeruah Phil- lips in 1817, and had one son, Daniel M., whom he associated with himself in business. Mr. Wells died on the 24th of May, 1884, in the 9Gth year of his age.
BENJAMIN CHASE,
from Dartmouth, Mass., came to this town about 1812, and cleared a farm in the Notch. None of his family of nine children are now living. One son, Joseph, who came here with his father, resided on the homestead until his death in 1837, at the age of 87 years, and was the father of eleven children, of whom Hiram A. succeeded to the old homestead on road 21.
EZRA D. WHITAKER,
son of Ezra, a sea captain, was a merchant in the town from 1824 to 1829, after which he removed to Troy, N. Y., returning to North Adams in about five years and engaging in mercantile pur- suits, which he followed until about 1858, when he became treasurer of the North Adams Savings Bank, which office he resigned October 7, 1872, after a service of about fourteen years. After this he retired from active business, although he is still quite smart at 88 years of age.
JOSIAH QUINCY ROBINSON
emigrated to Adams from Hard wick, where he remained from 1794 to 1828, when he settled in North Adams, where he died in 1856, aged 83 years. His son, Benjamin F., who was born in Adams, coming thence to North Adams in 1828, owns several farms in Adams and two in North Adams. He was engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1845. He married Eliza B. Whit- man, who died in 1853, rearing three children, two of whom, Mrs. Susan F. Fisher of New York and Sarah Eliza, wife of George L. Rice of this town, are still living.
DR. EDWARD NORMAN.
Born in Hudson, N. Y., in 1806 ; removed to this town in 1830, and opened the first drug store in the place, selling out in 1859 to W. H. Griswold and Dr. Lawrence, both now deceased. Dr. Nor-
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 101
man married Miss L. M. Putnam, a great-granddaughter of Gen. Israel Putnam, by whom he had two children — Martha M., wife of Samuel Keyes, and Emily K., wife of L. M. Hayden. lie was one of the oldest Free and Accepted Masons in town. His death occurred on May 28, 1874.
DR. SETH N. BRIGGS
was born at Rochester, Vt., September 2, 1813, the youngest of six children of Enos and Lovisa (Nichols) Briggs. He began the study of medicine in 1832 with Dr. Ross of Rutland, and afterward studied in Philadelphia. He first begen practice in Starksboro, but in 1840 came to this village, and since that time has continued in practice here, being the oldest resident physician. His wife was Sarah Campbell, also of Rochester, Vt.
DR. NATHAN S. BABBITT,
son of Dr. Snell Babbitt, was born in Hancock, August 30, 1812. He studied medicine with his father and with Dr. AVells of Wind- sor, graduated from Williams College, began the practice of medi- cine before 20 years of age, and has always practiced in Adams and North Adams. His wife was Ann Eliza Robinson.
DR, ELIHU S. HAWKES
was born in Deerfield, Mass,, July 25, 1801. The first event of Dr. Hawkes' life which impressed itself powerfully upon his memory was the total eclipse of the sun in 1806, of which his father took advantage to teach him the divine power through the truth of astronomy. When he was 8 years old his father removed to Char- lemont, where the educational advantages were so poor he was sent to live with his uncle. Dr. Allen, in Buckland. There he remained until he was 14 years old, assisting his uncle out of school hours in compounding medicines, and thus obtained some knowledge of medical substances. In the spring of 1821 he commenced the study of medicine with Drs. Clark and Smith of Ashfield, Mass., who had four other students. He afterwards changed his instructor to Dr. Winslow of Colerain. In the summer of 1825 he took his third course of lectures in Pittsfield and received his degree of Doctor in Medicine, which, as the charter of the Berk- shire Medical Institute then required, was conferred by Williams College, and he commenced practice in Rowe in company with Dr. Haynes, whose daughter he married in 1826. His wife died three years later, and residence in Rowe became so painful to him that in 1829 he removed to North Adams, being then 29 years old, his
102 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
father-in-law, Dr. Haynes, coming with him. In 1863 he removed to Troy to engage in a commercial venture, which turned out so disastrously that he returned to this town in a year or two. No- vember 4, 1830, he took for a second wife Sophia E. Abbey, who was born in Natchez, Miss., August 21, 1812. Dr. Hawkes died May 17, 1879, in his 78th year.
MISCELLANEOUS.
CHAPTER XII.
APRIL 16, 1878, rhe old town of Adams was divided, the southern half retaining- the old na-me and the northern half taking the name of North A ams. Up to this time the two vil- lages had been as twin sisters, sharihg theiv prosperity and adver- sity alike. But the south part was growing so rapidly that the fathers of the town and, in fact, nearly all the inhabitants of both villages, were unanimous in the belief that the division was a very advisable thing. Since the division both towns have been pros- pered, even beyond the hopes of the most sanguine, and to-day are called the smartest towns in the western part of the state, and, m. fact, stand very near if not at the head of the whole state as thrifty, energetic and prosperous settlements.
For the past few years the town has enjoyed the benefit of a brisk railroad competition from the roads centering here. This superiority of North Adams as a shipping point has effected a marked change in the method of disposing of the production of the mills. This change includes the storage of goods here under the low insurance of the Mill Owners' Association, selling the goods to the trade direct, thus keeping accounts but once. This method contrasts most favorably with the old method, by which goods were sent to a commission house as soon as made, and insured against fire at high rates, with the possibility of total loss in case of great fires, as at Chicago and Boston ; the old method, also, having the disadvantage that the commission house might sell at a sacrifice to get funds. The Arnold Print Works and the Freeman Manufacturing Company have sold their goods for some time
104 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
direct to customers, and in some instances have shipped goods to St. Louis a dollar on a hundred pounds' weight cheaper than they could be shipped to the same point from New York.
During the past twenty years the growth of North Adams has been rapid and permanent. In that period it has more than quadrupled in manufacturing and commercial importance. One illustration of its remarkable growth is afforded by the fact that where only one or two mongrel or mixed trains did all the business of the day a few years ago, there are now many full-fledged passen- ger, express and other trains to do the work.
In the summer of 1884 the town of Nortli Adams received a great impetus in the way of building. Large brick business houses were built, as well as private tenements. On Main street was built the new Korth Adams Savings Bank building, with its hand- some granite front ; on Bank street was built the Reardon and Wright brick blocks, with pressed brick and marble fronts ; on State street was erected the H. W. Clark block, for a wholesale grocery store, and on Ashland street the shoe factory of Whitman, Canedy & Co. During the year there were 170 new dwellings erected.
Following is the population of the town as per each census since
1790 to 1880, inclusive, showing the loss and gain for each year:
1790 2,040 I 1850 6,172
1800 1,688 1860 6,924
1810 1,763 i 1870 12,090
1820 1,836
1830 2,649
1840 3.703
iftftn ) Adams 5,591
^®^" ^ North Adams 10.191
In 1885 the population of the north village alone is 13,540 inhabitants.
AID TO THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
For nearly half a century after the war of 1812 peace brooded over the green hills and fertile valleys of the town. Youths had grown to manhood and old age, and now, as gray-haired grand- sires, they trotted the children on their knees and rehearsed to them the tales they loved best to hear — tales of the battles fought and won. Each morn the sun shone on a prosperous, happy, con- tented people. But, alas I as its rays wreathed with a glad smile the mountain summits on the morn of April 12, 1861, it awakened no answering smile in the hearts of the people. The first shot on Sumpter had frightened away the angel Peace, and grim war usurped her place. The first call for men found the town up and ready and doing. Side by side with her sister towns, she sent the very flower of her young blood to endure the weary marches and
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 105
the brunt of battle, and side by side with their sons to sleep the long sleep— some 'neath the sun-kissed plains of the wilful South, some rocked in the bosom of the broad Atlantic, while others have been borne to rest among their kindred by sympathizing friends, "who, year by year, to muffled drum beat, wend their way to their -consecrated tombs to deck their "couch of dreamless sleep" with the beautiful spring flowers — a national tribute to a nation's hon- ored dead.
It is impossible to tell how many men from this town took part in the late war, as many enlisted in other towns, and even in other states. The amount of money expended, however, by the town, including both villages, and exclusive of state aid, was $112,103. The number of commissioned officers furnished was thirty-three, as iollows:
In the Eighth Eegiment, Infantry, mustered in for 100 days:
F. W. Champney, age 20, Second Lieutenant, July IG, '64 ; ex- piration of service Nov. 10, '64.
Henry M. Lyons, age 25, Captain, July 16, '64 ; expiration of service Nov. 10, '64.
Eugene B. Richardson, age 21, First Lieutenant, July 16, '64 ; expiration of service Nov. 10, '64.
Tenth Regiment Infcmtry — Mustered in for three years with a total of 1,499 men, 90 of whom were killed in action and 83 died of wounds or disease:
Napoleon P. A. Blais, age 27, First Sergeant, July 21, '61 ; Sec- ond Lieutenant June 21, '62 ; died July 11, '62, at Harrison's Landing.
William H. Cousins, age 27, Sergeant, June 21, '61 ; discharged Dec. 21, '63, to re-enlist Dec. 22, '63, as Sergeant ; First Lieuten- ant May 22. '64 ; transferred June 20, '64, to Thirty-seventh In- fantry.
William F. Darby, age 26, private, June 21, '61 ; commissioned :a Sergeant in May, '62 ; Second Lieutenant Nov. 26, '62 ; expira- tion of service July 1, '64, as Brevet Captain.
Lewis W. Goddard, age 40, Second Lieutenant, June 21, '61 ; resigned Nov. 19, '61.
Elisha Smart, age 37, Captain, June 21, '61 ; killed May 31, '62, ■at Seven Pines, Va.
Samuel C. Traver, age 24, Fir'st Lieutenant, June 21, '61; Cap- tain June 1, '62; cashiered Nov. 25, 'Q'Z.
David W. Wells, age 24, Sergeant, June 21, '61; Second Lieu- tenant Nov. 20, '61; First Lieutenant June 1, '62; resigned Nov. ^8, '62.
106 HISTORY OF KORTH ADAMS.
Twentieth Regiment Infantry — Mustered in for three years ; had a total of 3,220 men, 192 of whom were killed in action, and 192 died of wounds or disease:
Ashbel Eouse, age 29, Sergeant, Dec. 21, ^63; Second Lieuten- ant June 1, '65; expiration of service July 16, '65, as Sergeant,
Twenty-seventh Regiment Infantry — Mustered in for three years; had a total of 2,103 men, 71 of whom were killed in action, and 293 died of wounds or disease:
Joseph Ainsley, age 21, Sergeant, Sept. 20, '61; discharged Jan.
1, '64, to re-enlist to same position; Captain May 15, '65; expira- tion of service June 26, '65, as First Sergeant.
George M. Bowker, age 30, First Lieutenant, Jan. 21, '63; dis- charged Feb. 11, '65.
William H. II. Briggs, age 21, Second Lieutenant, Oct. 16, '61; First Lieutenant Dec. 7, '61; expiration of service Jan. 13, '65.
William M. Brown, age 45, Major, Sept. 25, '61; resigned Dec. 6, '61.
William M. McKay, age 23, Second Lieutenant, May 29, '63; First Lieutenant March 1, '64; Captain May 17, '64; Major May 15, '65; expiration of service June 26, '65, as Captain.
Charles D. Sanford, age 21, First Lieutenant, Oct. 16, '61 ; Cap- tain Dec. 7, '61; killed May 16, '64.
Miles Sanford, age 45, Chaplain, Oct. 8, '61; resigned Feb. 25, '62.
Sidney S. Terry, age 22, Corporal, Oct. 12, '61; Sergeant Jan.
2, '64; First Lieutenant May 5, '65; expiration of service July 26, '65, as Sergeant.
William H. Tyler, age 30, First Lieutenant, Sept. 17, '61; com. subsistance U. S. V. Jan. 1, '63.
Thirty-first Regimetit Infantry — Total of 1,781 men ; 43 killed in action, 147 died of wounds or disease:
Lester M. Hayden, age 31, First Lieutenant, Feb. 20, '62; Cap- tain April 22, '64; expiration of service Nov. 18, '64.
Thii'ty -fourth Regiment Infantry — Mustered in for three years; total of 1,448 men ; 8 killed in action, 172 died of wounds or disease :
Henry J. Millard, age 28, Assistant Surgeon, Dec. 30, '64; expi- ration of service June 16, '65. *
Wells B. Mitchell, age 23, Second Lieutenant, Oct. 18, '64; First Lieutenant Nov. 25, '64; expiration of service in June, '65> as Second Lieutenant.
Thirty-seventh Regiment Infantry — Mustered in for three.
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 107
years; total of 1,483 men; 110 killed in action, 138 died of wounds and disease :
Jones A. Champney, age 32, First Lieutenant, Aug. 27, '62; Captain May 15, '64; expiration of service June 21, '66, as Brevet Major.
William H. Cousins, age 27, Lieutenant, Mav 22, '64; discharged Nov. 26, '64.
John C. Kobinson, age 25, First Lieutenant, Aug. 27, '62; Cap- tain Dec. 24, '63; discharged May 15, '65, as Brevet Major.
Forty -ninth Eegirnent Infaiitry — Mustered in for nine months ; total of 966 men ; 21 killed in service, 84 died of wounds or disease. This regiment was raised entirely in the county, there being only three of its members from other counties. Adams con-. tributed 74 men to this regiment. The old Forty-ninth upheld well the credit of Berkshire county and the old Bay State on many a sanguinary field, among which is mentioned, with commendable pride, that of May 27, 1863, when, with her 233 men who volun- teered to lead the forlorn hope and storm the outposts of Port Hudson, in less than three-quarters of an hour 80 fell, killed or wounded.
Sanford E. Gleason, age 23, Second Lieutenant, Company K.,. April 15, '63; discharged at expiration of service.
Henry M. Lyons, age 23, Second Lieutenant, Company G., Sept. 21, '62; discharged at expiration of service.
Francis W. Parker, age 27. Captain, Company G., Sept. 21, '62- discharged at expiration of service.
Sixty-first Regiinent Infantry — Mustered in for one year ; total of 1,013 men ; 5 killed in action, 17 died of wounds or disease:
Simeon N. Eldridge, age 26, Captain, Sept. 22, '64; expiration of service June 4, '65.
William W. Montgomery, age 21, private, Sept. 14, '64; Second Lieutenant March 15, '65; expiration of service June 4, '65.
NORTH ADAMS FIRE DISTRICT.
The work in this department began in the spring of 1867, and was so far fiinshed as to let the water into the street pipes in the fall of that year.
For some time previous to this date the matter had been under consideration, the fathers of the town urging it at town meetings, and in private conversation with voters. They saw that the town must ultimately have works of the kind, and that the town was in as good shape to stand the expense then as it would ever be. A
iOS HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
-contract was made with the North Adams Water Company, which was formed merely for construction work, to build the Water Works, the town agreeing to pay the Water Company the entire •cost of constructing the same.
The company employed Edwin Thayer to superintend the build- ing of reservoirs and laying the pipes. Mr. Thayer furnished the first money to the concern, taking in return for same 1500 in town bonds at par.
Shepard Thayer was made treasurer of the Water Company, and, finding the treasury empty, immediately went to work raising funds for the immediate necessities. That he found his office no bed of roses is assured from the fact that his account as treasurer :amounted to $140,000, including his loan and rolling account.
According to the books and vouchers of the AVater Company, it paid $87,073.37 for construction np to the time the works were •accepted by the Fire District, which occurred on the 1st of April, 1869, John F. Arnold, A. P. Butler and A. W. Preston being a ^committee to audit their books and report to the district.
The first financial report of the Fire District, made April 28, 1869, showed the following:
Total expenses to date $96,899 24
Total available assets 2,898 78
Balance of indebtedness $94,000 46
The water is taken from a spring brook flowing from the side of "Greylock mountain, at a distance of two and one-half miles from the village, giving a fall of 650 feet from the dam in the Notch to Main street. This fall is divided into three parts — from the dam to the upper reservoir, from the upper to the lower reservoir, and from there into and through the streets.
The lower reservoir, located on the hillside at an altitude of 230 feet above Main street, at a distance of one-half mile therefrom, ^ives a force of pressure on the pipes of 115 pounds to the square inch at the Berkshire House on Main street.
The upper reservoir, situated on a plateau of land some sixty Tods above the lower reservoir, gives a fall of 240 feet into the lower 'reservoir.
The fall from the dam to the upper reservoir is 180 feet in a dis- tance of 600.
0. Wells & Son brought a suit against the district for diverting the water of the Notch brook from their several mill sites. The 'district paid them $-^,170.97, which, with the costs, amounted to 42,581.97.
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 109«
During the first year or two considerable trouble was experienced by the freezing of the pipes, and especially the hydrants, which were made for the Southern trade, and practically useless during our rigorous winter months. From the first year in the history of the Fire District until the present time the water rents have con- stantly increased in amount. In 1883 the town had increased so much in population that during the dry months of the year there- was a great scarcity of water. All sorts of plans were talked over in order to meet the immediate demands of the district. It was finally decided to supply the town from artesian wells. These were- begun in the summer of 1884, two wells being sunk at a cost of about $15,000, which included land damages of $8,000. A con- tract was made with the Knowles Steam Pump Works to furnish house, boiler and pumps for forcing the water from the wells into the reservoirs. The contract was finished and the pumps used first in the summer of 1885.
THE KORTH ADAMS GAS LIGHT COMPANY.
In the winter of 1863, a charter was issued by the legislature of Massachusetts incorporating the North Adams Gas Light company,, with a capital stock of $50,000. John B. Tyler, S. Johnson and. A. W. Richardson were the incorporators. A contract was made with the Providence Steam and Gas Fitting company to lay all the pipes then needed and furnish the retorts, the incorporators fur- nishing buildings.
April 2d 1864, the company was formed with officers as follows:. Directors, A. W. Richardson, John B. Tyler, S. Johnson, S. W. Brayton and W. S. Blackinton. John li. Tyler was elected first president, W. W. Freeuian treasurer and H. Clay Bliss clerk. The price of gas per thousand feet was $5.00. A. W. Richardsou was elected president in 1866,at the same time the office of clerk and treasurer was made one,and H. Clay Bliss re-elected. S. John- son was president from 1867 to 1873; John B. Tyler from 1873 to 1878; A. W. Richardson from 1878 to 1884; W. L. Brown waselec^ ted in 1884. In 1878 Frank S. Richardson succeeded Mr. Bliss as clerk and treasurer, and in 1884 this office was divided and Arthur D. Cady elected clerk, Mr. Richardson still continuing the treas^ urship. The price of gas has been reduced from $5.00 to $2.15 per thousand feet. The plant has cost to the present day about $150,000.
BOSTON, HOOSAC TUNNEL & WESTERN RAILROAD.
In the winter of 1878 this railway company was organized, con- 'sisting of a few Boston capitalists, with General William Burt at
110 HISTOBY OF KOEOH ADAMS.
the head, and to him is due the energy and push which surmounted ♦all opposition and procured the necessary legislation. In carrying *out his project Mr. Burt was opposed hy the Troy & Boston and -New York Central Eailway Companies. The courts were appealed to in New York, and the aid of the Legislature invoked. The 'Troy & Boston Company tried the same tactics in Massachusetts, l)ut the victory was final with the new road, which was formally •opened on Monday, the 21st of December, 1879.
SKETCH OF HOOSAC TUNNEL.
About 1820, the possibility of building a canal from Boston to -Albany was presented to the legislature, which was more seriously ^entertained after the completion of the Erie canal in 1823. In 1855 three commissioners and an engineer were appointed, to as- Kjertain if it was practicable. Several routes were tested, though their report in 1826, favored one across the northern part of Wor- Kjester county, up the Deerfield river, through the Hoosac moun- tain, and, by the valley of the Hoosac river, to the Hudson near 'Troy. About this time, railroads began to attract attention, and 'their superiority was immediately recognized, and the project of a Kjanal abandoned. In 1840, the Troy & Greenfield railroad com- pany was chartered. The company proposed to build a road to iand through the mountain, thence to Williamstown, there to con_ nect with any road leading to, or near the city of Troy. The length of the road from Greenfield, was 45 miles. The estimated K3ost of which, including the tunnel would be $80,000 per mile. It is hardly necessary to give a history of the tunnel here, as excellent •accounts of this stupendous feat of engineering have already been produced. A few facts will suffice. Ground was first broken for the tunnel in the spring of 1850. Two shafts were sunk, called the West and Central shafts. The latter was sunk a distance of 1,028 feet, requiring four years of continuous labor, and an ex_ penditure of not less than half a million dollars. This gave the workmen, six working points. The first passage of cars, occurred •on February 9th 1875, after 25 years of labor, during a portion of which time upwards of a thousand men were employed, and the ^ork pushed night and day. The first freight train passed ^through on the 5th of April, and consisted of 22 cars from the 'west, loaded with grain. Passenger trains began to run from Bos- ton to Troy in October of the same year, though the tunnel was not officially declared to be ready for business until July 1st 1876^ In round numbers the tunnel is 25,031 feet in length, 20 feet high^ 425 feet in width. From it was excavated 1,900,000 tons of rock,
HISTORY OF NOETH ADAMS. Ill
while it has 7,573 feet of brick arching, in which are 20,000,000 bricks. Its entire costs was $14,000,000 and 195 human lives. The Pittsfield & North Adams railroad company was orignally in- corporated in 1843. Nothing was done under this chartar however, so it expired and was renewed in 1846. During that year the road was commenced and compleated, at an expense of $450,000, the last rail being laid at 11 o'clock, October]6th 1846.
BANKS AND OTHEll INSTITUTIONS.
The Adams National Bank of North Adams was organized in 1832, Avith Caleb B. Turner as president; William E. Brayton as oashier; and Caleb B. Turner, Josiah Q. Robinson, Nathan Drury, David Anthony, Sanford Blackinton, Edward Richmond, Isaiah U. Hoxie, Samuel Bowen and James Wilbur, directors. The presi- dents since Mr. Turner, have been Nathan Drury, Daniel Smith, Duty S. Tyler, W. E. Brayton and Sanford Blackinton, who held the office at his death, on the 24th day of July 1885. September 14th Shubael Brayton, the vice- president was elected to the office. The cashier is Edward S. Wilkinson. The original capital was f 100,000, which upon the reorganization of the bank under the national law, in 1865, was increased to^ $350,000 and has since been increased to $500,000.
The Berkshire National Bank was organized in 1878, with Jar- Yis Rockwell, president; A. W. Hodge, vice-president; J. Rock- well, A. W. Hodge, James Hunter, A. D. Cady, W. H. Gaylord, •S. W. Ingalls, Joseph White, James Chalmers and J. R. Hough- ton, directors; C. H. Ingalls cashier. About the first of the year of 1885, Mr. Ingalls was obliged to resign the cashiership, because •of failing health, and A. D. Cady was appointed in his stead. Upon the death of Judge Rockwell, on the 14th of May 1885, the •office of president was made vacant, and in June of the same year, James Hunter was elected to the office. The original capital of the institution was $100,000, which has since been increased to $200,000.
The North Adams Savings Bank, was incorporated in 1848, with William Brayton treasurer, who continued to 1858, when E. D. Whitaker was appointed. The bank has been very successful in all its ventures, and to-day stands at the head of the list as a solid, •careful and well managed institution. The present treasurer is V. A. Whitaker, who succeeded his father in the office in 1873.
The Hoosac Savings Bank was organized in 1871 with Austin Bond as treasurer. The present treasurer is W. W. Butler.
112 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
KORTH ADAMS HOSPITAL.
On the 21st of October, 1882, an accident occurred in the local freight yard, whereby 35 workmen in the tunnel were killed, or in- jured severely. The want of a suitable place to care for the in- jured was severely felt. That same day Messrs W. L. Brown and W. S. Johnson headed, and circulated a subscription paper for the purpose of erecting a hospital in the village. The result T)f their labor is the present building on the sightly eminence in the north- ern part of the town. The property comprises the building and 30 acres of land surrounding it, which represents an expenditure of $19,900. Of this amount $11,378 was raised by subscription $295 for the rent of land for two years previous to the completion of the building, $127 from an entertainment given by Prof. David Koberts, and a loan of $7500 from the savings bank. This left a deficit of $600 to be raised when the building was opened. The^ building was formally turned over to the board of control, by the. building committee, on March 2d 1885 and the building declared to be ready to receive patients. Experienced nurses were engaged from New York, and all the arrangements were of the most com- plete character. The opening day it was estimated that fully fifteen hundred persons visited the building, where appropriate ex- ercises were conducted, by the local clergymen. Following is the list of the first officers.
President— Mrs. Mary Williams.
Vice-presidents— Mrs. Helen A. Archer, Mrs. Anna W. Bichmond, Mrs. Harriet E. Gallup.
Treasurer — Mrs. Isabell S. Millard.
Assistant Treasurer— Mrs. Ella E. Hunter.
Secretary — Mrs. Augustus P. Foster.
Assistant Secretary— Mrs. Louise B. Tyler.
Directors— Mrs. Delia Boland, Mrs. CeUa Armstrong, Bridget O'Brien^ Mrs. Ellen S. Hodge, Mrs. Sarah C. Read, Mrs. Fannie P. Brown, Mrs. Fan- nie J. Tinker, Mrs. Jane E. Lawrence, Mrs. EUzabeth D. Thayer, Mrs. Fran- ces E. Swift, Mrs. Juha Sampson, Mrs. Harriet A. Thayer, Mrs. Frances M. Brayton, Ruth E. Millard, Mrs. DeHa J. Houghton, Mrs. Carolyn B. Wright.
Clerk— Mrs. Hattie Ballou Cady.
While the hospital was being agitated and before its completion, the question was repeatedly asked, '*what are we going to do with it?" Such good work has been done at the institution, that now, less than four months after the opening day, the question is asked, ''how have we ever done without it?" Such demonstrates the change of public sentiment.
NEWSPAPERS.
The first newspaper printed in North Adams was called the
HISTORY OP NOETH ADAMS. 113
Berkshire Americaii. It was a weekly paper, neutral, and edited by Dr. Asa Green, who issued the first number early in the winter of 1820 or '27. The enterprise was not a success, and after a sickly struggle of two years died a natural death. At the same time a paper called the Socialist was also published, being merely the matter of the Berkshire American reprinted on a smaller sheet without the advertisements. About a year after the paper had ceased its issue, Atwell & Turner were induced to take hold of it, and began the publication in 1830. With the same old Rampage press, but with some additions to the type, they issued a very re- spectable sheet for those days, and served some 500 subscribers for two years. Herman Atwell was the editor. William Mitchell next purchased the press, type and furniture, publishing what was called the Adams Gazette and Farmers' and Mechanics' Magazine. This was a neutral paper, and lasted about one and one-half years with 450 subscribers.
In 1833 A. H. Wells appeared in the field, and, with the aid of some enterprising citizens, a new press and modern styles of type were added to the old concern, and a paper appeared advocat- ing Whig doctrines, under the head of the Berkshire Ad- vocate. It had 400 subscribers, and lived about one year.
William M. Mitchell again put his shoulder to the wheel and brought out the Greylock Mirror, with 400 subscribers, which was published about six months. For several years after this none could be found bold enough to undertake the revival of a press here, the want of which was sadly felt by all classes of the com- munity.
The North Adams Transcript — This paper was established as a Whig journal, under the title of the Adams Tratiscrijjt, Septem- ber 7, 1843, by John R. Briggs, with 600 subscribers. In April, 1844, Mr. Briggs associated with him Henry Chickering,and in the following year retired from the firm. Later, Messrs. Burton & Winton purchased the paper, merging it into the Free American. They in turn disposed of the concern to William S. George, and it then became the property of William H. Phillips, who united it with the Hoosac Valley JVetos, and took into partnership Francis S. Parker. Parker subsequently withdrew, and in 1860 Phillips said to Hon. James T. Robinson, who, in company with his son Arthur, still conducts the paper. When the News was united with the Transcript the title was changed to the Transcript and News, and soon after Mr. Robinson took the paper the name was changed to the A dams Tra^iscript, which was retained until the division of the town, when the title was again changed to The
114 HISTORY OF XORTH ADAMS.
North Adwms Transcriptf which title it now bears. It is a large ten-column paper, published every Wednesday.
February 15, 1851, the Greyloclc Seyitinel was started as a Free Soiler, with A. J. Aiken as editor. In February, 1852, Mr. Aiken retired, and his chair was filled by A. D. Brock. The Sentinel had a circulation of 650, and in the autumn of 1852 was changed to the Free American. In 1853 it was sold to Burton & Winton, who subsequently united it with the Transcript.
The Hoosac Valley Netvs was originally established by Clark & Phillips, in 1857, Mr. Phillips subsequently becoming sole owner, who united it with the Transcript, as above stated. In January, 1867, Mr. Phillips, in company with John Mande- ville, re-established the Neios. Mr. Phillips soon sold his interest to James C. Angell, the firm becoming Angell & Mandeville^ which firm was continued three or four years, when James L. Bowen purchased Mandeville's interest, and about a year after this Angell became sole proprietor. In 1877 his son, E. D. Angell, became publisher, the father still acting as editor. July 1, 1879, Charles T. Evans, became a partner. October 1st, 1882, the office was leased to H. T. & W. J. Oatman, who failed in a little less than one year, and the office was than run by Mr. Hard- man, Mr. AngelFs son-in- law. October 1st, 1884, E. A. McMillin purchased an interest, and the paper is now conducted with Hard- man & McMillin as editors and proprietors. The News is a bright, lively and reliable eight-page paper of fifty-six columns, being enlarged in October of the present year, from a nine column to four page paper.
NORTH ADAMS LIBRARY ASSOCIATIOK.
At a very early day in the history of the town, the need of librar- ies of some kind, became very apparent. Ezra D. Whitaker in 1830 kept a circulating library in his store, in the building now oc. cupied by L. Childs. This library he continued for a good many years. In 1844 Edwin Rogers had a circulating library of some 800 volumes in his store at the corner of Main and Eagle streets. About 1856 Edward Spaulding, then superintendent for Ingalls & Tyler, was the means of starting a library, which was placed in the store connected with that mill. In 1859 Frank Shephard, Frank Stever and Charles H. Williams, began agitating the ques- tion of a public library. Their efforts were finally crowned with success for in the next year the North Adams Library Association was formed. The first meeting was held in the stone office, corner of Main and Bank streets, then occupied by Dawes & Porter.
HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS. 115
Charles H. Williams, then a student in the office, was elected the first president, Frank Shephard first librarian and A. G. Potter^ first clerk of the association. The library was placed in a room in Thayer's block, which was the same building as the Adams house described in these sketches. The first object of the associa- tion was to form a reading room in connection with the library, but this idea was given up after a time. When this building was burned on the 9th of February, 1867, the books of the library were all saved by members of the association. A room was imme- diately engaged in the old Burlingame block, and Charles D. San- ford became librarian. He took great interest in the work, classi- fied and arranged the books, and issued the first catalogue. The organization became very prosperous, having at one time several hundred members. The library remained here until about 1870, when it was removed to a room in Martins block, against consid- erable opposition from the older members. It prospered and flourished here until about 1880, when the membership began to decrease, and during 1882 and '83 the decrease was quite alarming. About this time the subject of a free public library and reading room was talked of, and during the winter of 1883 and '84 the present quarters were engaged, and the books of the old asso- ciation moved in. In the spring of 1884 at the annual meeting of the town, the library was accepted by the town as a gift from the association, and a sum appropriated for its maintenance. The wisdom of this course was very apparent the first year, as will be seen from the following facts taken from the report of the manager at the end of the first year of the maintenance of the free public library in town. The number of persons registered as takers of books up to the first of March 1885, was 2629. The number of books' drawn during the year, as shown by the records of the librarian was 42,562; an average of 3547 per month, or 136 per day, allowing 26 days to the month. At this time there were but 4000 volumes belonging to the circulating department, and the above figures would indicate that books equal in number to the whole number of volumes admitted to circulation, were drawn once in each month of the year. This fact is of importance, not only in showing the demand on the library, but as disclosing also, to. some extent, the labor, the constant care and watchfulness of the librarians, in keeping proper records of the books drawn and re- turned, and in seeing that none were lost or destroyed. The li- brarians, who have had charge of the books at different times as near as can be ascertained, are Frank Shephard, Charles Sanford, E. S, Wilkinson, A. B. Wright, S. 11. Fairfield, E. A. Wright, E. D.
116 HISTORY OF NORTH ADAMS.
Tyler, Arthur Witherell. All these before the library became free after this Miss Augusta 0. Dunton was placed in charge and still continues. On the first of March 1885, the library contained 4750 yolumes, of which 4129 were for circulation and G21 for reference- Of these 988 were purchased from the receipts of a fair for the bene" fit of the library and 787 were purchased with money appropriated by the town. During the first year were some donations of books — one of special value by William L. Brown, comprised 77 bound volumes of the ^^ London Illustrated News," and 133 volumes of the ^'London Quarterly Revieio."
The benefit of a reading room, so far as they go are essentially the same as those of a library. As now conducted, the reading room is a source of little expense aside from the cost of reading matter and lights. It has been orderly, well kept, frequented by large numbers of people in the day time and evening, and furnishes a kind and variety of reading not easily obtained elsewhere. That the library and reading room are held in high esteem by the voters of the town is evinced from the fact that at the town meeting in 1885, !5^3000 was appropriated for its maintenance.
-iff
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