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UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
LIBRARY
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74
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THE
History of Florence,
MASSACHUSETTS.
INCLUDING A COMPLETE ACCOUNT
OF THE
Northampton Association of Education and Industry
ILLUSTRATED.
EDITED BY
CHARLES A. SHEFFELD
FLORENCE, MASS.:
PUBLISHED BY THE EDITOR.
1895.
COPYRIGHT, 1894,
By CHARLES A. SHEFFELD.
SPRINGFIELD PRINTING AND BINDING
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
TO MY GRANDFATHER,
Samuel Xapfoam Ibill,
WHOSE KINDNESS AND BENEVOLENCE, WHOSE MORAL COURAGE,
REMARKABLE SAGACITY, AND TIRELESS ENERGY WILL
EVER BE GRATEFULLY REMEMBERED BY THE
CITIZENS OF FLORENCE,
I DEDICATE THIS BOOK.
PREFACE.
Many events have occurred in Florence that have rendered it a
village of especial interest and have given it distinction, and this work
is offered to the public in the hope that not only its present citizens, but
those who will make Florence their home, in years to come, may find it
both interesting and valuable.
Three years ago, upon the suggestion of a friend, a book illustrating
the picturesque attractions of the village was conceived, and a beginning
made. As no one could be found to contribute an adequate historical
sketch, the writer reluctantly assumed the task.
A little research revealed a mine of material as yet undisturbed by
the historian's pickaxe, which made it apparent that something more
comprehensive than a mere sketch was needed, and the result is the
history that forms Part I. However, the original idea of giving variety
to the text by having many contribute has not been abandoned, but
instead of the six articles, at first projected, the number has been in-
creased to thirty-seven.
We take pleasure in acknowledging our great indebtedness to the
researches of Sylvester Judd, Esq., and to the files of the Gazette, which
have yielded valuable material. Other sources of information have been
the town and count}' records, the manuscript documents of the old
"Community," and the memories of aged persons. We are under special
obligations to our contributors, whose assistance has added much to the
value of the work.
The engravings were made by the Springfield Photo-Engraving
Company and the Boston Engraving Company from pen and ink
sketches, of which the greater number were the work of Miss Susanne
Lathrop, and of which four were contributed by Miss Helen Louise
Davis, and from photographs by Clifton Johnson, Ferdinand Schadee,
W. A. Sheldon, and the Editor. The landscapes on pages 70 and 91
were photographed by Miss Mabel Hinckley, who manifested as an
4 PREFACE.
amateur photographer the enthusiasm and devotion that were distin-
guishing traits of her character. To her the Editor owes his interest in
the camera, an interest that finally led to the inception of this book.
To the custodians of the records in public offices and to their clerks ;
to the librarians at the Center and Florence; to James R. Trumbull,
for valuable assistance with the Judd manuscripts ; to E. C. and E. E.
Davis, for instruments loaned to take altitudes ; to The Price & Lee Co.,
for permission to use the map of Florence ; to Charles F. Warner, for per-
mission to use the biographical sketch of C. C. Burleigh, first published
in the Hampshire County Journal; to Miss Ella C. Elder and Miss Ellen E.
Osgood, for helpful and painstaking criticisms upon the Editor's manu-
script ; to Arthur G. Hill, for unwearied co-operation in many directions,
as well as to the multitude of other friends, at home and abroad, whose
kindness has been unfailing, — the Editor hereby tenders grateful thanks.
Florence, Mass.. December 22, 1894.
PART I
CHAPTER I.
TOPOGRAPHICAL. „A,.„
PAGE.
Natural Features of the Territory — Description of Ancient Localities, and
Places of Special Interest 1 1
CHAPTER II.
INTRODUCTORY.
i How Northampton was Settled — The Nonotuck Indians — The Deed of North-
ampton— Condition of the Country as the Settlers Found it — The Divis-
ion of the Lands at Nonotuck iS
CHAPTER III.
FROM 1654 TO FIRST SETTLEMENT.
The First Visit of the English to Florence Territory, and the First Owners
of Land there — The First Enterprise in Florence — The Sawmill of Ly-
man Brothers, Wright <S: Parsons — The One Acre Grant to Parsons,
and its Contribution to the Early History of the Place — The Hulberts, 22
CHAPTER IV.
F I R.ST SETTLEMENT.
The French and Indian Wars Hindered the Settlement of Outlying Dis-
tricts— The Settlement Begun — The First House Built — Daniel War-
ner the Second Settler — Story of the Phelps House — Gaius Burt Comes
in 179S — Josiah White and His Oil Mill — First House in the Center of
the Village, 1809 29
6 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V.
SETTLEMENT CONTINUED.
PAGE.
The Tavern of Solomon Warner — Captain Julius Phelps Comes in 1815 —
Enoch Jewett, 1816 — William Warner, 1 S 1 7 — The Seth Warner House —
Colonel Thomas Pomeroy, 1820 — The Dwight Farm — The Oliver Warner
Tavern in the Twenties, .......... 37
CHAPTER VI.
FROM 1831 TO 1835.
The "Traveler's Home" — The Tavern Stand ; and an Evening Scene — Early
Roads and Bridges — The Later History of the Saw, Grist and Oil Mills, 45
CHAPTER VII.
MULBERRY FEVER AND^SILK ENTERPRISE.
Early Biography of Samuel Whitmarsh— The Northampton Silk Company —
Later Enterprises of Mr. Whitmarsh — David Lee and Lydia Maria
Child — Josiah Gilbert Holland, 55
CHAPTER VIII.
/NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY.
The Spirit of the Times — The Transcendental Movement — Kindred Associa-
tions, Brook Farm and Hopedale— ^The Projectors of the Northampton
Association — Why Florence was Selected as the Site of the New Venv
ture — The Leaders Buy the Silk Company's Property — The Preliminary
Circular — Organization — Constitution and By-Laws — Items from the
Secretary's Book, ............ 65
CHAPTER IX.
NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION. — Continued.
The Years 1843. 1844, 1845, 1846 — Causes of the Dissolution — Membership
List — Notes, 87
CHAPTER X.
ABRIDGED ANNALS.
How Florence Took its Name — Population — First Store — Post Office Estab-
lished— Casualties — Cemeteries, . . . . . . . . .107
PART II.
OLD COMMUNITY TIMES. PAGE.
Reminiscences, . . . . . . . . . . • • M5
By Frances P. Judd.
When I was a Boy, n^
By George R. Stetson.
When I was a Girl, ........... 123
By a Community Maiden.
A Young Man in the Community, . . . • • • ■ • ' -^
By Giles B. Stebbins.
^/U hat I Found at the Northampton Association, i-9
By Frederick Douglass.
The Hutchinsons' Visit, .......... 132
By John W. Hutchinson.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
The Congregational Church, ......-•• L37
Historical Sketch. By Rev. E. G. Cobb.
Quarter-Centennial — 1 866-1 891. By Frank N. Look.
Methodism in Florence, ........•■ >42
By Mary E. Gould.
The Church of the Annunciation, ......... 1-1-5
By Rev. P. H. Gallen.
The Free Congregational Society. ........ 146
By Henry B. Haven.
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
The Florence Public Schools, '51
By William D. Miller.
The Kindergarten 156
Manual Training, ........... J 59
By Rev. Frederic A. Hinckley.
The Florence Lyceum, . . . . . . . . • • - 161
By Judge Daniel W. Bond.
8 CONTENTS.
HISTORIC REMINISCENCES.
PAGE.
Florence, .............. 165
By Mrs. Helen T. Clark.
The " Underground Railway," 165
By Joseph Marsh.
The Florence Dramatic Club, ... ..... 168
By Arthur G. Hill.
The Sewing Machine Band, 171
By Edward Birge.
The Fire Department, ........... 176
By Clayton E. Davis.
The Eagle Base Ball Club 179
By One of the Players.
My Early Recollections. 1 86
By John B. O'Donnell.
The Munde Water Cure, 190
By Paul F. Munde, M. D.
Florence in the Mill River Flood, . . . . . . . . 193
By Clayton E. Davis.
Florence and the War, ........... 197
By Joseph B. Whitehouse.
What Florence Needs,
By William H. Riley.
The Village Improvement Society,
Bv W. L. Wilcox.
BIOGRAPHIES.
Samuel Lapham Hill ^05
Preface. By Seth Hunt.
Biographical Sketch. By Arthur G. Hill.
Charles C. Burleigh 211
By Seth Hunt.
Daniel Greene Littlefield, ->4
By the Editor.
Alfred Theodore Lilly, 216
From the " Memorial."'
Alfred P. Critchlow 219
By George P. Warner.
CONTENTS. 9
PAGE.
Elisha Livermore Hammond, ... ..... 221
By 1 [arriet B. ( rardner.
Mary White Bond 224
By Martha Bryant Cary.
( reorge A. Burr, ............ 227
By Frank X. Look.
Henry Herrick Bond, ........... 230
By Elizabeth Powell Bond.
fohn Lord Otis, ............ 233
By the Editor.
Industrial Interests, 237
lip
K\\?^m\^tedf>^ chapter, i z^^^mm
^r _, _"' — ^f',<-^-^S'':^- ZZT^^''^ ^=o»-
Naturai. Features of the Territory. — Description of Ancient Localities, and
Places of Special Interest.
A brief account of the topography of Florence is necessary to familiar-
ize the reader with the ancient names of certain portions of the territory,
and to save the continual use of foot notes. Both the old and the mod-
ern names are given, and the aim has been to afford a thorough under-
standing to all interested.
Bounds. — Florence is not incorporated, being simply a part of the
city of Northampton, and distinct division lines between the village and
adjacent places have never been drawn. The limits of Florence are as
vague as some of the original landmarks in the ancient deeds. Individ-
uals have ventured opinions as to how far the village extended, but no
two have agreed on just the same boundaries. After consulting many
citizens, the following lines have been drawn : —
The natural geographical center of the village is near the junction of
Main and Maple streets. From this point as a center, with a radius of a
little more than three fourths of a mile, or, to be exact, two hundred and
fifty-eight rods, describe a circle. The 1894 map plainly shows this
circle. If this boundary was made to include more territory to the north
and west it would represent the average opinion of those consulted.
Florence is beautifully situated two and one half miles west of North-
ampton center, and bounded as above embraces parts of Wards five and
seven, and the whole of Ward six of the city, and the circle with a diame-
ter of one mile and three fifths incloses an area of about thirteen hundred
acres.
Elevations. — The principal part of Florence is a plateau considerably
above the level of Northampton, but the village includes a few elevations
worthy of distinctive names.
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
Bear Hill is near the northwest boundary of Florence, and north of
the John F. Warner homestead. It might be called a continuation of
the elevation extending from Haydenville, through the northeast portion
of Leeds. From the junction of Bridge road and North Main street, a
gradual rise northward for thirty rods brings one to the southern sum-
■■..
■:.
MAI' OF FLORENCE.
-1S94.
mit, but the highest point is forty rods to the north. This has an eleva-
tion of about two hundred feet from the level of the plain below. Bear
Hill is the largest and highest hill in Florence. When the Warners came
here it was said that they had "moved to Bear Hill." The name is of
ancient origin, having been used as early as 1754.
Baker s Hill is next in size to Bear Hill. Strictly speaking it is not
wholly within the village limits, the southeastern declivity being part of
Bay State. It rises about one hundred feet above the general level of
TOPOGRAPHICAL.
13
the meadows to the west, and takes ils name from Edward Baker. (See
" Baker's Meadow.") The road running northeast and southwest over
its summit was for a long time the only traveled way from Florence to
Bay State. Many of the older residents remember climbing the hill in
going from village to village.
Brush Hill and Strawberry Hill are names applied to the same eleva-
tion, the former being the ancient and the latter the modern appellation.
The summit is eighty rods northeast of the steam railroad station. In
olden times there were numerous " Brush " Hills in the western part of
the township of Northampton. This " Brush " Hill is found in deeds
bearing the date of the opening years of this century, and for a long time
the hill was known by this name.
FROM DEAR HILL — DOWN THE RAILROAD TRACK.
Streams. — Mill River is the only stream of any size within the limits of
Florence. It enters the village at the northwest and flows southeasterly.
One branch of the river rises in the hills of Goshen, and the other in the
southwestern corner of Conway. These branches uniting, the river fol-
lows a southeasterly course and empties into the Connecticut River at the
"ox-bow." It is noted for its many water privileges, and was made mem-
orable by the great flood that swept down its channel in 1874, entailing
great loss of life and property.
Broughtoris Brook: The northeast corner of Florence, east of Hol-
voke street, is drained by a small brook, which was known in olden times
as Broughton's Brook. John Broughton, formerly of Springfield, was
14
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
one of the first settlers at Northampton in 1654. The brook issues from
the woods east of Chestnut street, and flows southerly through the
meadows, entering Mill river at Bay State. When electricity came into
use as the motive power on the street railway, a dam was built across
this stream near Locust street. At one time it must have been quite a
stream, but for several years the amount of water in the brook has been
gradually decreasing.
Ponds. — Warner's Pond is the modern appellation of the small body
of water lying between Locust and South Main streets. Soon after 1825
(before 1830) Enoch Jewett built the dam across Broughton's Brook, and
raised this pond. The
pond takes its name
from Joseph Warner,
silk manufacturer, for
a long time proprietor
of the mills now com-
monly called Leon-
ard's Silk Mills, sit-
uated several rods
south of the pond.
Before Mr. Warner
owned the mill the
pond was sometimes
BAKER'S HILL.-LOOKING TOWARD MOUNTAINS. ^j^ Holland's pQnd
— Harvey, son of Harrison, and brother of Dr. Josiah Gilbert Holland,
at one time having had an interest in these mills.
Round Pond : In many early deeds we have found a reference to
Round Pond. This name seems to have been applied to the pond, or
more truly speaking to the hole, that is now called Frog Pond. It lies
just north of Warren street. In olden times the water in this locality
was more abundant than now, and William Strong, born 1820, says that
when he was a boy and living here (1830-40), the pond covered consider-
able ground, and that quantities of muck were dug from it each season.
Meadows. — Broughton's Meadow: The first record of land granted
to the original settlers of Northampton, in the territory now embraced by
Florence, was a grant of five acres in the meadows in the western part of
the village, now known as Ross's Meadow. Broughton's Meadow was
used to denote this locality nearly two hundred years, from 1657 to the
dissolution of the "Community'' in 1846.
Baker's Meadow : The only way that an early grant of land could be
designated or described was by comparing its position with another plot
noted for some geographical peculiarity, or by its being owned by a per-
TOPOGRAPHICAL.
15
son conspicuous in the affairs of a certain neighborhood. A descriptive
term found continually in the old town records is " which lyes up the
Mill River." This seems a vague way to designate a piece of property,
but with the aid of an additional landmark the land was plotted to the
satisfaction and understanding of those concerned. A spot in Florence
that served as a landmark, or general reckoning place, in the early days
of Northampton was known as Baker's Meadow. This meadow is small
in size and lies in the southerly part of the village, south of River road
and north of Mill River, the western end being about one hundred rods
below the dam of the Nonotuck Silk Company. It is one of the few
places so described by the town authorities that after a period of two
hundred years the boundaries may still be traced. But for this clear
description the very early history of the village would have remained in
obscurity, since had we failed to recognize Baker's Meadow the task of
locating the one acre grant to Samuel Parsons (mentioned in Chapter
IV.) would have been a hopeless one.
The original grant as taken from the town records is as follows :—
" The Record of Mr. Edward Baker's land : — More granted to him by the
Towne of Northampton as is above expressed lying up the Mill River a prcell of
Meadow lying compassed partly with a steep bank somewhat like a halfe moone
northerly, easterly against the hill and a brooke, Bordering on the Mill River
Southerly, (at) the other end of the Meadow the hilly bank comes to the River;
containing in estimation nine acres be the same more or lesse."
The date of this
grant was April 2,
1662. An examination
of this meadow will
show how well the
grant describes the
spot. It is probable
that Baker's Hill was
like everything else in
the vicinity, " Neere
Baker's Meadow,"
and after a time took
the name which to
this day commemo-
rates the first owner of the meadow below.
Stoddard's Meadow : The original Stoddard's Meadow comprised the
land east of Water street and south of Mill River, and, in the language of
the authorities, " lys on the south side of the Mill River opposite or
against the land granted by the towne to Edward Baker, and is known
Warner's (Leonard's) pond.
i6
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
by the name of Baker's Meadow." In 1701 this triangular meadow was
granted Mr. Stoddard for setting up a sawmill. Later Stoddard's
Meadow was the name given to all the interval land between Nonotuck
street and the river, from the oil mill on the west to Baker's Hill on the
east.
Plains.— According to Temple and Sheldon's " Northfield " this term
as used by the early settlers had a restricted meaning. It was not
applied to level lands in general, but to certain well defined tracts that
had some common peculiarity of soil and condition, were nearly free
from trees, and could be readily cultivated.
Bear Hill Plain is mentioned in the early deeds and is on the map of
1754. This name was applied to the flat country north of the railroad
track, south and east of Bear Hill, and to this day it is sometimes called
" the plains."
BROUGHTON S MEADOW.
The Millstone Mountain Plain recorded on the early maps extended
from Bridge road near the Catholic Cemetery south and west to Locust
and Hatfield streets. When the railroad was built from Northampton
to Williamsburg in 1867 the cut in the vicinity divided this plain into
two parts.
Broughtoris Meadow Plain is occasionally found in the early records,
and included the upland above the river, now the center of the village.
Before the formation of the " Community " the term was in common use
to designate this locality. Like the greater part of the ancient names
this one has long ceased to be used, and is only found in the musty
records of the past. The transfer of ownership ordinarily welcomes a
new appellation, unless the spot bears some peculiarity so great as to
render it and the old name inseparable.
TOPOGRAPHICAL.
17
Miscellaneous. — Some points of special interest, additional land-
marks, it may be well to describe.
Burt's Pit, named for Gaius Burt, lies near the southwestern boundary
of Florence, off the road leading to Easthampton. It was previously
called Seeger's Swamp. Large quantities of muck are annually dug in
this region. " Burt's Road " leads to the pit.
Bear Hill Swamp lies northeast of the hill, in the rear of Spring
Grove Cemetery.
Elevations. — For those who enjoy facts the following table has been
inserted. With few exceptions the altitudes have been taken specially
for this volume. Figures give the height above mean sea level. The
general level of Florence is about 270 feet. Slight mathematical calcu-
lations will give the relative height of any point.
Junction Main and Maple streets, 275 feet.
Bear Hill, north summit, 494
Bear Hill, south summit, 430
Baker's Hill, 335
Strawberry Hill, 325
Fortification Hill, 332
Millstone Mountain. 300
Junction Federal and South Main streets, 214
Dam of Nonotuck Silk Company, 232
Dam at Bay State Cutlery, 202
Junction Nonotuck and Maple streets, 235
Floor of Meadow street bridge, 243
MILL RIVER — FROM BRUSH SHOP BRIDGE.
COSMIAN hall. EROUGHTON'S MEADOW — VILLAGE IN DISTANCE. SCHOOLHOUSK.
METHODIST CHURCH. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
CHAPTER II.
INTRODUCTORY.
How Northampton was Settled. — The Nonotuck Indians. — The Deed of North-
ampton.— Condition of the Country as the Settlers Found it. — The
Division of the Lands at Nonotuck.
In order properly to follow the course of events leading to the settle-
ment of Northampton and Florence, let us briefly consider what otherwise
might seem out of place here. The great English emigration to this
country which began with the coming of the Pilgrims in 1620, reached
its highest mark in 1630, and ten years later had nearly ceased. During
this time twenty thousand English came to New England. Towns
multiplied rapidly. Differences of opinion in matters of town govern-
ment led some adventurous ones to emigrate to the Connecticut Valley,
and by 1636 the towns of Wethersfield, Hartford, Windsor, and Spring-
field had been founded.
The " Great Falls," as the Indians called the rapid water at South
Hadley, hindered the settlement of the attractive country north of them,
because all supplies had to come to the new plantations by way of the
Connecticut river, therefore no one desired to be above boat navigation.
So it was eighteen years after the settlement of Springfield, before North-
ampton was founded by men from Wethersfield, Windsor, and Springfield.
The Nonotuck Indians occupied the portion of the Connecticut
Valley extending from South Hadley Falls to Mount Wequomps (now
Sugar-Loaf). In 1690 the tribe numbered not far from three hundred
souls, and not more than one hundred of these could have been warriors.
They had forts on both sides of the river. They lived on fish, game,
nuts, fruits, berries, tuberous roots, Indian corn, pumpkins, and after the
English came they raised a kind of bean. They had several cultivated
fields of from twelve to twenty acres each. The English always pur-
chased the land from the Indians, who knew what a deed meant.
INTRODUCTORY. 19
THE DEED OF NORTHAMPTON.
•• Be it known by these presents, that Chickwallopp, alias Wawhillowa, Nenas-
sahalant, Nassicohee, Kiunks, Paquahalant, Assellaquompas, it Awonusk, the wife
of Wulluther, all Nonotuck, who are the chief iV' proper owners of all the lands
on the west Side of Connecticut river at Nonotuck, on the one * do give, grant,
bargain & Sell unto John Pynchon, of Springfield, on the other party, to him,
his Heirs. & Assigns, all the Grounds & Meadows, Woods & Ponds & W lying
on the west side of Ouonetticut river, beginning the Small river (belowMunham)
called Sankrohonk, & So up by Ouonetticut river to the little meadow called
Capawonk, namely, to the little brook or Gutter on this Side Capawonk, which
little brook is called Masquampe, and the Grounds lying Westward from Con-
necticut river (within the Compass Aforenamed) for nine Miles out into the
Woods, viz.: as far as Manshoonish is from Springfield, — for So it was expressed
to the Indians, — all that Tract of Grounds from Sankronk riveret, &: Ouonack-
quck called Munham, Poihnack, Petowwag, Aspowounk, Luckcommuck, Assat-
tavvagg, Nayyagg, Nayyvumkegg, Masqump,& by whatsoever other names the Said
Grounds are called, & all out into the woods from the great river for 9 Miles
within this compass, The aforesaid Indians, & in Particular Wawhollowa,
Nenessahalant, & Nassachohee, being the Sachems of Nonotuck, do for them-
selves, & with the Consent of the other Indians and owners of the said Grounds,
Sell, Give, and Grant unto John Pynchon, of Springfield, & to his Assigns for
& in the Consideration of One hundred fathom of Wampam by Tale & for Ten
Coats (beside Some Small Gifts) in hand paid to the said Sachems & owners.
all the land aforesaid as * these presents have bargained, Granted
& Sold to the said * Pynchon all & Singular the Said lands free from all Incum-
brances of Indians, provided the Said Pynchon Shall plow up or cause to be
plowed up for the said Indians Sixteen acres of land on the Easterly side of Quo-
netticut river, which is to be done Sometime next Summer, 1654; And in the
mean time, viz., the next Spring 1654, The Indians have liberty to plant their
present Cornfields, but after that time they are wholly to leave that west Side of
the river, & not to plant or molest the English there.
" All the Said Premises the Said Pynchon & his Assigns Shall have & enjoy
Absolutely & clearly forever, all Incumbrances from any Indians or * their Corn-
fields. In Witness of this presents the said Indians have Subscribed their marks
this twenty-fourth day of September, 1653."
THE MARKS OF THE INDIANS.
/v\yvo
>
PAQUAHALE.NT. N'EN ASSAM A LENT. CHICK WALLOP. NASSICOHEE. SKITTOMP
Note. — This deed was witnessed by four white men and three Indians. The Indians
were Wutchamin, Nammeleck, and Skittomp, alias Unquask, of Chicquabee.
* Omissions in deed.
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
MAP SHOWING LANDOWNERS IN FLORENCE TERRITORY — 1 754
Note. — This shows the three principal highways, the " North," " South," and middle
roads, the latter called " Isaac's Way." The two vertical lines divided " Inner Commons "
from "Long Division." The lots in Long Division were numbered in regular order from the
Hatfield town line through to Easthampton. A space for a highway was left between lots
Nos. 33 and 34, and for another road near the bridge between lots Nos. 40 and 41. By care-
ful search one can find the three plains, Hear Hill, Broughton's Meadow, and Millstone
Mountain, as well as other points of interest.
INTRODUCTORY.
21
Was this an unbroken wilderness when the pioneers came to North-
ampton ? Did an immense forest cover all this vicinity where now stand
beautiful villages, towns, and cities? No, not by any means. Each
autumn the Indians burnt over all the country. This destroyed the
brushwood, scorched the older trees, and kept the country open for travel
and hunting ; so when the settlers came they found the meadows gener-
ally free from trees and brush, and grass and fodder growing on the hill-
side. Good timber was scarce ; the wet lowlands alone were heavily
wooded, and here game abounded.
The petitioners voted that "every singell man" shall have " foare
acres" and "every head of a phamily six acres of meadow." Besides
this, each settler was granted a home-
lot, generally of four acres. Judd
quotes this as the rule by which the
lands were divided: "Fifteen acres
to the head of a family, three acres to
a son, twenty acres to a one hundred
pound estate." When meadow land
proved swampy, a larger tract of up-
land was granted in its stead, as the
latter was not considered so valuable.
But the meadow land in the eastern
part of the town did not hold out, so
they came westward to Broughton's m
Meadow, and to other land lying up
the Mill River.
All the land not divided was held "in common," each individual hav-
ing certain rights in this unoccupied territory. Later, portions of "the
commons " were divided among individuals. At one time the township
was divided into two principal parts : one, of the land on the eastern
boundary, including most of the territory within the present village of
Florence, which was called " Inner Commons" ; the other, laid out at a
later date, took in all the western portion of the township, and was called
"Long Division." Other sections were named "Old Hatefield," "Love-
field," " Little " and " Mountain " divisions. On some Northampton
maps these ancient divisions are still to be seen.
WHEN WE WERE HOYS.
CHAPTER III.
->l<-
NEAR LOCUST GROVE.
FROM 1654 TO FIRST SETTLEMENT.
The First Visit of the English to Florence Territory, and the First Owners
of Land there. — The First Enterprise in Florence. The Sawmill of
Lyman Brothers, Wright & Parsons. — The One Acre Grant to Parsons,
and its Contribution to the Early History of the Place. — The Hulberts.
The exact date when the English first visited Florence is not recorded.
Inside of ilire_e years after Northampton was settled, it is known that the
site of the village had been visited, not by explorers alone, but by those
officially appointed to
divide the lands in
this vicinity. The first
grant of land that we
have been able to find
and locate with any
degree of certainty,
now within Florence
territory, was made
to John Broughton,
formerly of Spring-
field, one of the first
settlers at Northampton. The utmost difficulty is experienced in locat-
ing these first grants of land, since the authorities did not take pains
to describe them so that later generations could easily locate them.
John Broughton's grant was favored in this particular, so to-day we
place him as one of the first owners of land in Florence. Below is the
item appearing in the Proprietors' book : —
" The Record of John Brotton's Land which was granted to him by the Towne
of Northampton and to his heirs, executrs and assigns to have and to hold forever,
taken December 12, 1657. [Several pieces of land including]
"another prcell of Land which Lieth up the Mill River wch is thus bounded :
Bordering on the Mill River Westely and on the Commons or hill wch com-
passeth it like an elbow Eastely and Southely Bounded on the Northely end on
the Land of Lieut. William Clark, being in estimation five acres in lieue of four
in the meadow — five acres more or less."
The two clauses that aided in locating this grant were " Lieth up the
Mill River," and bordering on " the Commons or hill which compasseth
it like an elbow." The location of this grant is on the easterly side of
Mill River, in Ross's Meadow, north of Meadow street and west of Lilly
street, directly in the rear of the house long owned and occupied by Mr.
FROM 1654 TO FIRST SETTLEMENT.
Dwight A. Ross. The line dividing the two sections of land known as
"Inner Commons" and "Long Division" at one time ran along the top
of the high bank just west of Lilly street. By examining the spot it will
be seen that the hill " compasseth it like an elbow," true to the descrip-
tion. " The meadow " in the clause " in lieue of four in the meadow"
no doubt refers to the great meadow in Northampton, as when no special
name was mentioned this one was always understood.
Other grants in this vicinity followed in quick succession and in less
than a year fully a dozen owned land
in the meadows. Since Broughton
was one of the first to own land there,
the meadow took his name. He sold
his grant in 1675 to Joseph Parsons,
and in a few years nearly an entirely
new set of proprietors came into pos-
session.
To keep the cattle within the proper
bounds the settlers had to fence por-
tions of " the Commons," and each
man had to build and keep in repair
" his proportion," as determined by
the amount of land he owned. Owing
to the transfers of land from one to
another, it was necessary every few
years to draw up a new schedule of
each man's "proportion." Those who
did not want the trouble of looking
after their "proportion" would "alien-
ate " so many rods to some other
settler by paying him a consideration.
Each section perfected an organ-
ization to keep the fence in repair,
and as early as 1663 the landowners
in the Broughton's Meadow had
already organized, as is shown by the following order passed at a town
meeting held that year : " It was voted that the Proprietors of the
Meadow commonly called Broughton's meadow, that they shall have
liberty to set their fence Streight on the bank on the Common land."
Another interesting grant was Edward Baker's allotment of a piece
of meadow land in the southwestern part of the town. (See first chap-
ter.)
Other owners of land on either side of the river at Broughton's
The quiet of the fields and woods
Sank deep into his soul." — Whitlier.
24
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
Meadow included Thomas Bascom, Josiah Dewey, Henry Woodward,
James Cornish, William Clark, Joseph Leeds, Jonathan Hunt, and Medad
Pomeroy. In 1673 Joshua Pomeroy had a grant of six acres of " swamp
and upland." The upland must have been on North Main street, near
the present residence of Mr. E. C. Davis, and the records say it was
given Pomeroy " to build upon." Evidently he did not consider the
locality a favorable one for settlement, for no house was built here.
Joseph Hawley bought the land of Pomeroy in 1684, " in all some twelve
or sixteen acres." The original grant called it six acres. The early
measurements were frequently faulty ; the true acreage is often two or
three times as much as the first grant called for. Thus Baker's Meadow,
laid out for nine acres, in reality contains nearly twentv-seven.
RAILROAD STATION.
THE FIRST ENTERPRISE.
No new plantation could long be without those indispensable adjuncts
of any community— a sawmill and a gristmill, or, as the latter was
always called in the
days of our fore-
fathers, a "corn-mill."
Very soon after a
town had been
planted some enter-
prising man asked
permission in town
meeting to establish
these industries, and
as early as 1657 Northampton had a gristmill, and by 167 1 a sawmill had
begun its work.
Nearly three miles westward from the center, Mill River flowed
through Broughton's Meadow, and a natural fall might then be seen
where now the dam of the Nonotuck Silk Company stems the stream.
The early inhabitants of Northampton were not slow in deciding that
here was an excellent opportunity to develop a water power, and no doubt
they foresaw that some day mills would stand on either bank, and the
busy whir of machinery would drown the noise of the waters tumbling-
over the rocks near by.
Five years after the close of Philip's war the times appeared favor-
able for a new undertaking, and at a town meeting held on the second
of January, 1681, four men asked permission to erect another sawmill in
town. This permission was granted, as may be seen by the following
order copied from the Town Records, Book I., page 55: —
FROM 1654 TO FIRST SETTLEMENT.
25
" [an. 2. [68i .
" On a Motion of Richard and Thomas Lyman, Samuel Wright and Samuel
Parsons to have a place and liberty to set up a Sawmill, the Town the day first
above written granted their request on Consideration
•• 1st. That they Set it up within one Twelvemonth after the date hereof
•• 2nd. provided it be no damage to the Corn Mill which stands on the Same
Stream
" 3rd. That when they desert the place as to the use abovesaid, then the
place to return to the Town again
'• The place they desired is above Broughton's Meadow on the Mill river."
This is the way the first enterprise in Florence had its beginning.
But the careful reader has already found that the grant does not con-
form with the previous conditions set forth in the narrative. Instead of
having liberty to build a sawmill near the present Nonotuck dam, the
order reads, " the place they desired is above Broughton's Meadow."
There are two ways to account for this. One is that during the discus-
sion regarding the location of the mill, both "above" and "below"
NONUTl'i'K SILK COMPANY S DAM.
Broughton's Meadow were mentioned, and that the scribe in recording
the vote made the mistake and substituted " above " for "below." But
as this is hardly probable, let us look for another explanation. In examin-
ing Mill River to find a suitable place for their mill, this Lyman, Wright,
and Parsons combination could not discover " above " Broughton's
Meadow a site adapted to their needs, and so they chose a spot near
26
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
the present dam. It is certain that they built no mill "above" Brough-
ton's Meadow, and though only a few slender data have been left from
which to draw an inference, it is safe to conclude that they fulfilled the
conditions of the grant and erected the mill within a " twelvemonth."
It evidently stood on the west bank of the river, the spot now marked
by two small trees near the end of the Nonotuck dam.
The next record concerning this first enterprise in Florence is in the
year 1700, when the following item was entered in the town book : —
" At a legal Town meeting, February 6, 1700,
" The Town did then grant to Samuel Parsons one acre of land near his Saw-
mill between Broughton's and Baker's meadow to be to him and his Heirs for-
ever."
LILLY STREET.
This grant of land, unimportant in itself, furnishes us with the con-
necting link, and shows us, first, that undoubtedly Lyman Brothers,
Wright, and Parsons erected their mill below Broughton's and above
Baker's Meadow, and therefore it must have been in Florence near the
present dam ; second, that in 1700 this mill was still standing, and at some
previous time three of the first owners had sold their interest to Samuel
Parsons, as the grant distinctly states "his mill." Mr. Parsons was the
son of Joseph Parsons, 1st, sometimes called Cornet, who was a leader
in the affairs of the town.
No one knows how long Samuel Parsons continued to own and
operate the sawmill. During the opening years of the eighteenth cen-
tury the Northampton records contain grants of land in Florence terri-
FROM 1654 TO FIRST SETTLEMENT.
27
teu-
ton-, "on the road as we go to the Saw-Mill," " near the mill," etc.
ing us it was still in use.
Samuel Parsons moved to Durham, Connecticut, in 1708-9, and it is
not known whether he sold the mill before he went away, or not. The
next item that enables us to take up the lost thread is found near the
close of the year 1726, when John Stoddard purchases two pieces of land
of the town, one of which in the words of the scribe : " Lyeth cheifly in
a Swamp on the Westerly side of Mr. Stoddard's land, near Hulberfs Saw-
mill." Soon after 1700 John Hulbert owned land in this vicinity, and
probably he bought the sawmill soon after Parsons left town, for if but
recently purchased this fact would have been mentioned in Stoddard's
sale.
Information regarding the Hulbert family in Northampton is
extremely scanty. William Hulbert, one of the first settlers at North-
ampton, left several children, and at least
three grandsons made Northampton their
home. Careful search has failed to bring to
light any facts concerning their residence here,
but the following inferences may be of inter-
est. By the Stoddard item already quoted
we know the Hulberts owned the mill in 1726.
Whether John was alone, or in company with
his brothers, James and Samuel, or whether
others of that family, sons of these mentioned,
continued the business is not known. In 1733
the town " voted to build a bridge* over
Mill river above Hulbert's Sawmill." In 1743
the town marked off a tract of land in the western part of the township,
" Between which lines they " [all the inhabitants] " propose to cut wood
and timber for the Space of ten years next coming." One of the bound-
ary lines ran " from the front of Long Division at the Bridge by Hul-
bert's Sawmill westerly three-fourths of a mile." On the map of 1754,
" Hulbert's Sawmill " is again mentioned. It seems probable that some
one of the family owned and operated the mill up to about this time.
Four years later, in 1 760-1 761, the property had passed into the
hands of several individuals, each owning from one tenth to one fifth.
Of the six owners five were Clarks. In 1768 nearly the same proprie-
tors appear. The mill was not considered a very great acquisition,
for the valuation in 1760 is quoted at only ^10, in 1762 at ,£18, in 176S
at ,£20, and in 1769 at jQ\o again. After 1769 the thread is again lost, and
HULBERT COAT OF ARMS.
*This was the first bridge across Mill River in Florence.
2g HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
it does not reappear till the dawn of a new century. From 1726 (possibly
before) to as late as 181 1 this sawmill was "called and well known by
the name of Hulbert's Mill." When we again resume its history it will
be in connection with that interesting character— the oil-maker — Josiah
White. For the present we will turn our attention to a few pioneer
families and watch them as they make their homes in the outlying dis-
trict, which afterwards became Florence.
(*si& <*K <%>/*.% j. M-n* j£y, fL/Jib /yCa: <?*»"<. ' J&'yi k«««^!i3M^5
!,,*», -f/U. (.:«.«'„... . .'. • ?&. % ,t„.' .: e^A~,.y jicn.* „>/., ->//y ^ t/f.y^tw*.
&,? ?~^.<t --.y,^, £ '••'•£
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„&G~~y 4fyflJ~-: frJc^atct /»<■■ -.-/-flu. pJ fc^(ff~**-t?X &~~~~* X /w
Urrh. A*., <iy-Oi >W »£ o^re ^ JefJfai' &;/■{. A. t,.y <t#i., i/l^^ _?J<- ///< O-^-- £~
\p*Htf**r-
ANCIENT DEED — MARK WARNER TO HIS SON.
CHAPTER IV.
FIRST SETTLEMENT.
The French and Indian Wars Hindered the Settlement of Outlying Dis-
tricts.— The Settlement Begun. — The First House Built.— Daniel Warner
the Second Settler. — Story ok the Phelps House. — Gaius Burt Comes in
1798. — Josiah White and His Oil Mill — First House in the Center of the
Village, 1S09.
Following closely upon the heels of the planters of Northampton,
five years after 1654, men from Wethersfield founded Hadley ; Deerfield
was founded in 1669, and Northfield two years later. Soon the French
and Indian wars began, and not until the conquest of Canada in 1760
did the settlers really know what the word " peace" meant.
Notwithstanding the almost constant warfare, towns had been planted
in nearly every part of Massachusetts. However, the times had not been
favorable to the settlement of outlying districts. During the French and
Indian wars, the settlers who had come to Northampton, and the sons of
the original families, in erecting their houses sought the protection and
security which the center of the town afforded.
But there were some in Northampton who were not content to remain
near the center. A few years after 1664 John Webb had a house in East-
hampton, arud_Hie_Lymans moved to South Farms (Smith's Ferry) about
1689. In 1700 there were five families at Pascommac (part of Easthamp-
ton), and in 1704 the Indians raided their little settlement, with sad
results. Other parts of Easthampton were settled soon after. Before
the last French and Indian war (1753-1763), Noah Bridgman and Mark
Warner had settled on Horse Mountain (North Farms), "but," as Judd
says, " probably removed into the village during the war."
The first man to erect a permanent dwelling house in Florence seems
to have been Joseph Warner. This was in 1778. The Revolution was
then in progress, and the times could not have been auspicious for estab-
lishing a home three miles from the center of the town.
Joseph Warner, the first of several by that name, was the fifth in
descent from William Warner, who came from England in 1637 and
settled in Ipswich. The branch of the Warners from which Joseph
descended, had previously lived in Brookfield, Hadley, and Northamp-
ton. His grandfather, Mark Warner, 2d, born in Hadley, 1678, had
lived in Northampton on a farm in a locality called " Blackpole." This
was north of the western end of Prospect street, and west of the town
poor farm.
3°
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
Daniel Warner, Joseph's father, born in 17 i 7, married 1745, lived near
his father at Blackpole. It is sometimes the duty of the historian to be
at variance with tradition, as it is in this case. The story, as handed
down from father to son, is the same as all published accounts up to this
time, namely, that Daniel Warner was the first to remove permanently
to Florence, and that the date was about 1759. But diligent search in
the Judcj manuscript has revealed the fact that Daniel Warner was at
Blackpole in 1763 (four years after he was said to have come to
Florence) and in 1767 was still residing there. Then in another place
we learn that " Joseph Warner built his house in 1778." As Judd wrote
this while Mr. Warner was living (1835) it is no doubt correct.
Joseph Warner was then a young man of twenty-six years. The next
year, 1779, he married Jerusha Edwards and they began housekeeping at
the new home near " Bear Hill," which was then a rather desolate locality.
For many years their house was the only one between Blackpole and
Williamsburg. Later they had " neighbors " in Haydenville. This first
house stood on the site of Mr. John F. Warner's residence on North
Main street. Although the time of log cabins had gone by, as sawed
boards were then in common use, this house must have been a primitive
structure as compared to our modern ones. At this time few could
afford the luxury of lathed and plastered walls. The immense chimney
furnished fireplaces for the rooms on the four sides of it, and these dis-
pensed comfort and good cheer to all who gathered around them.
The father in this house-
hold was well known in the
community not only as a man
of intelligence and good judg-
ment, and of strict integrity
in all his relations with his
fellow men, but as a devout
and conscientious Christian.
The mother, too, was an emi-
nently godly woman. Joseph
Warner lived to be eighty-
four. He died April 15, 1836,
younger than the three preceding ancestors, who had reached the ages
of eighty-seven, eighty-nine, and ninety, respectively. Mrs. Warner died
in 1833, aged seventy-four.
The children of Joseph Warner were eleven in number. Oliver, Solo-
mon, Flecta, Jerusha, Sarah, Joseph, Seth, Moses, Miriam, Aaron, and
John were the good old-fashioned names by which they were known.
The three oldest sons, Oliver, Solomon, and Joseph, remained in Flor-
RESIDKNCK OF JOHN F. WARNER.
FIRST SETTLEMENT,
31
THE OLD WARNER HOMESTEAD.
«nce, and from this fact the locality took the name of the "Warner
School District." Oliver and Solomon, early in this century, built tav-
erns, one in Florence center, and the other towards Leeds. The third
son, Joseph Warner, 2d, married in 1S14, and made his home with his
father on the old homestead. He worked on the farm, which now con-
tained three hundred acres, and when his father became advanced in
years took the burden
of directing affairs from
the old man's shoul-
ders. He was select-
man several years, and
represented the town
in the General Court.
His death in 1840 was
only four years after his
father had passed away.
His wife survived him
twenty-eight years.
They had six children.
The oldest son, Joseph,
was the silk manufac-
turer. The youngest child, John Flavel Warner, remains on the farm.
The old homestead, which, with the additions and the sheds, covered
considerable ground, was replaced in 1868 by the present modern struc-
ture. A part of the old place was moved to the corner of Bridge road
and Oak street, and in its remodeled form may still be seen there.
The Second Settler. — Daniel Warner did not remain long at Black-
pole after his son Joseph had gone to his new home in Florence. Prob-
ably not more than a year or two elapsed before he was snugly settled in
the small house which he built on a ridge about ten rods west of his son
Joseph's house. For many years previous to the time when Joseph built
his house (1778), Daniel had owned considerable land on Broughton's
Meadow and on the plain near Bear Hill. In order to cultivate this farm
he had had one or two log cabins there long before 1778. One of
these stood about fifty rods south of the highway, nearly at the point of
a V-shaped piece of land running back from Mr. J. F. Warner's tobacco
barn. Here Mr. Warner sometimes lived during the summer when the
crops required his constant attention. As early as the French and Indian
wars (1744-48) (1753-63) he used to work out in the meadows, always
carrying his gun to rely upon in case of emergency. It is recorded (not
tradition) that once he had a very remarkable escape from death at the
hands of the Indians, at a spot a "little below Broughton's Meadow."'
32
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
GATE TO THE PASTURE — WARNER FARM.
Unfortunately Judd, the recorder, failed to give the details of this inter-
esting experience, which he no doubt could have obtained.
Fire destroyed Daniel Warner's house in 1790. He was an old man
then (born 1 7 1 7) and, instead of rebuilding, an addition was made to his
son's house, and in this he spent his declining years. He died in 1804.
His wife survived him nine years, reaching her ninety-second year.
Here is an anecdote of
Daniel Warner's wife : Her
maiden name was Jemima
Wright, born 1722. For some
years before her marriage
(1746) she lived in Col. Tim-
othy Dvvight's family. She
used to tell her grandchildren
that the first tea in Northamp-
ton was sent up to Colonel
Dwight by a friend in Boston.
It was not called tea, but
simply " Bohea." Instead of
using a small quantity they steeped it just as they would an herb, all at
once, a quarter of a pound or more, and in consequence it was so strong
that they could not drink it.
The Phelps House. — Until about 1785 there was a third house in Flor-
ence, but it appears to have had no occupant. The interesting account
of how it came to be here is given as we find it in Judd's manuscript : —
"William Phelps' place at Blackpole was narrow in front, eight or ten rods,
and went back in the rear of Warner's lot. It was for a time owned by S. Stod-
dard, and he sold it to Daniel Warner, who owned land north of it. * *
" The old Phelps house was two story, and Moses Bartlett was to have it to
live in out at Stoddard's Meadow.* While Stoddard owned the Phelps lot, he
had the house removed with some difficulty. It was removed by the North roadt
(other too narrow), and then across below the Oil Mill to the meadow, some dis-
tance below the upper end of the meadow. The woods were cut away to make a
path for it, and it was left on the flat above the meadow. Bartlett changed his
mind, his affairs and Mr. Stoddard's changed, and nothing more was done to the
house. It rotted down there. This was about 1785."
The Daniel Warner referred to was a son of Daniel who came to Flor-
ence. This Solomon Stoddard was the distinguished son of the popular
preacher of the same name, who was the second minister at Northampton.
Can you not see that two-story house creeping along Bridge road on
* See Chapter I. for " Stoddard's Meadow."
t See Early Roads and Bridges, Chapter VI.
FIRST SETTLEMENT.
33
its way to Florence ? Then appliances for moving buildings were not as
complete as they are now, and the task must have been a slow and
tedious one. But if this was the case on the plain highway, what must
it have been when the woods had to be cut away " to make a path " for
the house ! No one knows the spot where it linally rested, only to crum-
ble to pieces at last. From the description it would seem to have been
between Nonotuck street and River road. This would be called the
"flat above the meadow." Why did Moses Bartlett want any house,
and this one in particular, on Stoddard's Meadow ? In this case "time
will tell," — never.
Settlement by Gaius Burt, 1798. — For twenty years Daniel and
Joseph Warner were the only residents in this part of Northampton.
Then Gaius Burt
moved to Brough-
ton's Meadow, and
the settlers num-
bered three. He was
an energetic, indus-
trious man, of the
resolute, hard work-
ing type. He had
descended from Da-
vid Burt, one of the
first settlers at
Northampton. His
father, Elkanah, lived
in the center of the
town, where Gaius was born in 1775. Like Joseph Warner, when Gaius
came to Florence he was a young man about twenty-five years old, and
had only recently been married to Hannah Alvord.
On March 14, 1798, he bought of Solomon and Luther Clark, thirty
acres of land in the meadow, which was the same as the present Ross
farm on Meadow street. For this valuable thirty acres of alluvial soil he
paid the very moderate sum of one hundred and twenty-three dollars.
It is probable that he removed soon after, and erected a house* a few
rods east of the present Ross homestead. This house was a small one-
story, unpainted structure, and was torn down about 1870. In 1S01-3-5,
Burt added forty-seven acres to his farm, and in 1809 purchased the
triangular piece of land opposite his house, containing twenty-five acres.
By his thrift and prudence he soon acquired considerable property. He
A NOVEMBER DAY — THE ROSS HOMESTEAD.
l8oi.
The late Julius Phelps, born 1820, said that as far as he knew this house was built in
34 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
had two sons and several daughters. The oldest son, Theodore, before
1830 had built a house a few rods west of his father's, the present Ross
homestead. The other son, William, married one of Paul Strong's daugh-
ters. In 1834, Gaius and William Burt sold their Broughton Meadow
farm to Samuel Whitmarsh. Gains' daughter Frances had married Mr.
Ahira Lyman, who lived on Park Hill, Easthampton ; so, after his sons
had left for the west, Gaius bought a fifty acre farm just south of the
Lymans, and here he lived till his death, February 3, 1840, aged seventy-
four.
Josiah White and His Oil Mill. — Conspicuous among the early
residents of Florence stands Josiah White. The thread of the sawmill
history, which was lost in the year 1768, is next brought to light in
connection with this, interesting man. On Christmas day, 1800, a deed
was signed by " Josiah White, of Winchester, New Hampshire, mill-
wright," and Solomon Clark of Northampton. This document set forth
that for the sum of twenty dollars Clark was to sell White three
acres of land " on the east side of the Mill River, near Hulbert's Mill."
Who had owned Hulbert's Mill from 1762 to 1806 is not known. In the
latter year " Erastus Clark, Innkeeper," sold two thirds of the mill to
Phinehas Alvord for three hundred dollars. This first industry did not
then consist of a sawmill alone, for in the deed conveying the property to
Alvord, Clark wills " all my right in the Auger Mill and Lathe at aforesaid
Saw Mill." It seems reasonable that a house was built here before 1800,
for the operators of the sawmill. In 1830 two small houses stood just
west of the Brush Shop bridge. No one has been able to tell and no record
has been found stating when or by whom they were built, but that one of
them was there in 1806 is probable, as shown by another clause from the
above deed, which reads, "Also the House that Elisha Babcock now lives
in, together with all the Land under said House which I own." This
seems to have been the fourth house in Florence.
The ownership of Hulbert's Mill was a company affair. The next
year Alvord deals out small portions of the stock. Jonathan Newell
invests forty-five dollars in "one sixth" ; the next March he makes his
sixth a third, but pays sixty dollars for change. About this time the
industrious farmer Gaius Burt buys of Alvord a " sixth part," with
" one sixth part of the mill yard, dam and all the utensils." Jonathan
Newell was originally from South Hadley, and was an " oilmaker " by
trade. He seems to have been the one who first interested White in this
business. Although White bought the land on the east side of the dam
in 1800, from 1803 till 1807 he lived in Northampton, running in company
with William Edwards what they called the "Upper Mills." After sell-
ing out (1807) his interest to Edwards it is probable that he soon came
FIRST SETTLEMENT.
35
to Florence and began the erection of the building at the east end of the
Nonotuck dam, afterwards used for the oil and grist mill. As Newell
owned a controlling interest in the sawmill on the opposite bank,
together with the water privilege, he was probably in some way con-
nected with White's new venture.
Four years later, March 14, 181 1, it is apparent that White had
become a full fledged oil maker and that the enterprise was firmly estab-
lished, for on the above date Newell, who by this time had returned to
South Hadley, sells White his five sixths of the sawmill, " situated in
Northampton by the Oil Mill, now owned and occupied by the aforesaid
JOSIAH WHITES OIL MILL.
From Painting by C. C. Burleigh, Jr.
White." The remaining one sixth White purchased of Joseph Warner.
The valuation is quoted as $300.00 in contrast to the ^10 in 1769.
At that period it was customary for all farmers to raise flax. From
the fibers of the bark of this plant the thrifty housewives made the home-
spun linen cloth, so useful and necessary in those days. No doubt Josiah
White did a considerable business. He took the flaxseed and expressed
the linseed oil, the seeds being first bruised or crushed, then ground and
afterwards subjected to great pressure. Henry Shepherd, Esq., remem-
bers the huge hydraulic press, and especially the massive lever connected
with it, that Mr. White used in obtaining the oil. The oil mill building
stood on the east bank of the river, a little west of the present gate house
near the Nonotuck dam. It was a two story building about twenty by
36 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
thirty feet. White soon saw the need of a gristmill, and so placed a run
of stones in the same building. Mr. John F. Warner remembers taking
corn to this mill to be ground. One half of one of the old millstones
forms a doorstep to the Nonotuck Silk Company's office building. The
dam was then some thirty or thirty-five feet farther up the stream. An
old stump stands at what was the easterly end.
" Esquire " Josiah White was the sole proprietor of the water power,
sawmill, gristmill, and oil mill. He lived in a cozy cottage he built soon
after 1S10, between the present Brush shop and the " old Silk Mill Board-
ing house," nearly opposite the large buttonball tree. It was after-
wards moved to Meadow street, where it was enlarged and remodeled,
and is now the second house west of Lilly street.
Josiah White was an original character. At the time he started the
oil mill he had just passed middle life. Of a somewhat studious mind,
and born and brought up when books were scarce, he had acquired the
habit of reading everything he could lay his hands on. White was a self-
made man, and did "all his own thinking." His scholarly turn of mind
gave him the nickname of " Old Cicero," by which he was commonly
known. He was an ardent Freemason. When King Ferdinand of Spain
hanged Freemasons because they would not divulge their secrets, Mr.
White heard of it, was very indignant, and vehemently remarked :
" Ferdinand ! Ferdinand ! he'll find that thrones totter ! " Mr. White
died in 1832, aged seventy-four years. He had one daughter.
The First House in the Center of the Village. — Oliver Warner,
the first child born in Florence, in 1780, was the son of Joseph, the first
settler. He married in 1807, and two years later built the house now
standing on the corner of Main and North Maple streets. This was the
fifth house in this district, and Mr. Warner kept it as a tavern. About
1790 stage coaches came into use as public conveyances. Northampton
was one of the principal stations on the line from Boston to Albany. The
stages stopped at Oliver Warner's to water the horses, and allow the
passengers to sample the " fire water."
In 182 1 he sold the tavern, moved to Northampton, and purchased
Asahel Pomeroy's place, which became famous under his management
as the " Warner House." This was burned in 1870. Mr. Warner kept
a hotel thirty-five years in all. He enjoyed a wide acquaintance in the
country and state ; was prominent in the political life of the town and
county ; served as selectman, representative, and senator. He was a
distinguished man in his day, and left a name that will long be cherished
by his townsmen. He died in 1853. He had nine children. Edward,
born 1815, still resides in Northampton. Oliver, 2d, was a member of
both branches of the Legislature, and Secretary of State.
CHAPTER V.
SETTLEMENT CONTINUED.
The Tavern of Solomon Warner — Captain Julius Phelps Comes in 1815. —
Enoch Jewett, 1816.— William Warner, 1S17.— The Seth Warner House. —
Colonel Thomas Pomeroy, 1820.— 'I'm: Dwight Farm.— The Oliver Warner
Tavern in the Twenties.
In 1812, Solomon, the second son of the first settler, Joseph Warner,
left the old homestead and built a house, a quarter of a mile northwest
of his father's on the road to Leeds.
( vT; "/, '- — - _- - ~~ Baal This is near the limits of Florence but
— - -
was a part of the old " Warner School
District." He kept this as a tavern for
nearly forty years, or until the rail-
roads had revolutionized the prevail-
ing stage coach mode of travel.
Solomon Warner died in 1863. His
son Moses lived on the old place until
his death in December, 1893. The
homestead, the accompanying barns,
the rambling sheds and shanties pre-
sent much the same appearance to-
day as they did fifty years ago.
Captain Julius Phelps. — With
one or two exceptions the early settle-
ment of Florence was by men from
Northampton. They were sober, in-
dustrious men, faithful in the perform-
ance of each duty, and impressed with the importance of strict integrity.
Captain Julius Phelps was such a man. Thick set, a little over medium
height, and brown from exposure to the elements, he presented the per-
fect picture of the old style New England farmer. He was the captain
of an artillery compan}r in Northampton about 1812, and in that year he
marched his company to Boston to aid in defending the state. About
1815, when thirty-five years old, he removed from Northampton and built
the one story and a half house in the meadows, which still may be seen
at the junction of Meadow and Spring streets. Here he made his home
till his death in 1857. Of his seven children four were sons. One of
these, Julius, born in 1820, remained on the farm. He was well known
and highly esteemed. He was an upright man and a good citizen, and
an earnest worker in the Congregational church. He died June 4, 1892.
SOLOMON WARNER TAVERN SIGN.
38
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
A story was told of Samuel Phelps, the father of Captain Julius, by
his grandson, the late Julius. It is a singular fact that the late Moses War-
ner when interviewed on the subject of Florence history related the very
same anecdote, without some of the minor details, but he made the
hero his great grandfather, Daniel Warner. One or the other had made
some mistake in identifying the principal actor, but, whichever one was
correct, the hero was closely connected with the first settlers of Florence.
The story is not unlike other Indians stories and should be taken with the
customary " grain of salt." As recorded in Mr. Huntington's defunct
" Pen and Press," the Phelps version is as follows : —
" There is a very interesting story of my grandfather and when first told to
me, when a mere boy, it made a deep impression on my youthful mind, for it was
an ' Indian story' and possessed much of that quality which both charms and
excites boys. Late one afternoon, he went in search of the cows. The only way
to learn the whereabouts of the cattle ' out to pasture ' was by the tinkling of
the bell that was fastened to the neck of one of the animals. As grandfather
neared the spot where the sound of the bell seemed to indicate the cows were,
he thought the bell sounded differently from the usual or peculiar tinkling which
a bell has that is attached to the neck of an animal. The conclusion that he
came to was that the Indians had taken the bell off from the cow's neck and
were using it as a decoy to lead him a long way into the forest, perhaps to their
camp, and thus easily capture him ; but with great presence of mind he began to
shout in a commanding voice as though he was giving orders to a large body of
men. The Indians, supposing that a force of white men was right upon them,
quickly fled, and so frightened were they that they deserted their camp, leaving
their food and all their booty. Their camp was on that slight rise a short
distance beyond where my house now stands, or to the left, just as you ascend the
small hill."
Hiii ii ii!3HHi£aHifiH&
■ g|<j i
^»»^,^^^-^^
^^^^ffjf * 'ft ™ ^^^^^
H, i - ■ ■ :K < .
' " '---k
THE SOLOMON WARNER TAVERN.
SETTLEMENT CON I INUKD.
39
THE JULIUS PHELPS HOUSE.
Enoch Jew kit. -About 1816 Enoch Jewett moved from Northampton
and became the neighbor of Oliver Warner. Enoch's father, Timothy
Jewett, lived on Elm street, Northampton, nearly opposite Paradise road.
He had a shop in the ravine opposite his house, and here his two sons,
Enoch and Ansel, assisted their father in making and repairing spinning
and Max wheels,
and also in the
manufacture of
old-f a s h i o n e d
taps and faucets.
In 1816, Enoch
came to Florence
and built the
house on Main
street of late years
known as the
Samuel Bottum
place. His farm
included a strip
of land from Pine
street to Bridge road. The house when built was a one story and a half
structure. Here in addition to the care of the farm he made shuttles for
the woolen factory at " Shepherd's Hollow " (now Leeds), using a foot
lathe for turning, and also continued the tap and faucet business and
repaired wheels.
In 1828 he purchased of William Clark for two hundred and twenty-
five dollars eighty acres of land " situated on both sides of Brotton's
Meadow Brook." He obtained permission of Dr. Hunt, who was a great
fisherman and who owned the land adjoining, to build a dam across the
brook, providing that Hunt should have the fish. Soon after 1828 (before
1830) he built the dam and raised the pond which became " Holland's,"
and later " Warner's " pond. The water power thus developed he used
in a small shop which he built a few rods north of Leonard's Silk Mill,
manufacturing warp bobbins and spools for woolen and silk mills. His
early training in his father's shop had made him a skilled mechanic. He
tilled one order for seventy-five thousand warp bobbins for the Shep-
herd's Hollow mill.
In the closing month of the year 1833 he exchanged his farm, the
Samuel Bottum place, for two hundred acres of wild wooded land near
Brecksville, Ohio. Soon after he built a small house near his shop south
of Warner's pond. It stands to this day just back of Leonard's Silk Mill
boarding house. Here he lived for nearly ten years, or until he sold his
4°
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
place, including the house, shop, dam, etc., to Conant, Swift, and Chaffee,
November 30, 1842. The next May he moved to his Ohio farm. At this
time Enoch Jewett was a straight, squarely built man of fifty-two years,
standing about five feet eight inches tall, and weighing one hundred and
sixty pounds. He had blue eyes, dark iron gray hair and whiskers, and
was a quick, active man of few words. He died at Brecksville, Ohio, in
1872, aged eighty-one years. He left four children : Henry, who died at
Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1886, aged seventy-two years ; Isabella G., who
died at Westhampton in 1888, aged sixty-nine ; Edward and Albert G.
The latter resides in Westhampton.
William Warner. — Whoever has a recollection of Florence in the
earlier days remembers the " Polly Bosworth place." This was built by
William Warner in 181 7. William Warner did not belong to the family
of Warners who first settled Florence. He was the son of Luther and
Bathsheba Stebbins Warner, and was born in Springfield, Massachusetts,
in 1794. At an early age he went to Chesterfield to live with his uncle.
In early manhood he worked for "Landlord Edwards" at Roberts
Meadow, where he became acquainted with Juliette Bridgman, to whom
he was married January 30, 1817. Juliette Bridgman was the sister of
Mrs. Oliver Warner, who at this time was living in Florence.
On June fifteenth
following his mar-
riage, he paid Gaius
Burt ten dollars for
a half acre of land
" lying between the
roads leading to Ches-
terfield and Williams-
burg." Here he built
the one story house
which Sylvester and
Polly Bosworth after-
wards owned and
occupied. When Cos-
mian Hall was built
in 1873, the house was
moved to the foot of
Lake street, near War-
ren street, its present
location. William Warner built a blacksmith shop just west of his house
and worked here at this trade. He did not remain long, however, for
on March 24, 1S20, he sold the place to Josiah Whitney of Northampton,
THE ENOCH JEWETT-SAMUEL BOTTUM PLACE.
IETTLEM EN I CON UNITED.
41
but possibly he rented it of Whitney until about [823, when he bought a
farm on Horse Mountain, where he lived several years. At one time he
had charge of the Cecil Dwight farm and built the small house for one
of the Colonel's sons. This house stood just west of the " Herdsdale"
farmhouse, and was burned July 18, 1893. The old chimney remains,
giving us a good idea of their usual size in the olden time.
THE WILLIAM WARNER HOL'SE ON THE SITE OF COSMIAN HALL.
In 1840 he built the house next below the Brush Shop bridge, later
occupied by the Dorsey family. His wife died in 1845, and the next year
he married Mrs. Roann Lyman of Easthampton. Shortly after this he
exchanged the Dorsey place in Florence for a South Deerfield farm, and
removed to the latter, where he spent the remainder of his days, dying in
1874. His wife survived him only a week. Though a competent work-
man at several trades, he did more carpentry and farming than anything
else. Faithful in whatever he undertook, he gave satisfaction to all of his
employers. His five children now living are Sybella, widow of S. S. East-
man of Greenfield, Juliette, widow of Bella P. Searle of Belchertown,
William, now living in Staten Island, N. Y., Frances, widow of William
Metcalf of Northampton, and Susan A., widow of Charles L. Washburn
of Belchertown.
The Seth Warner House. — The house on Bridge road near its junc-
tion with North Main street was built before 1819 b)' the first settler,
Joseph Warner, for his son Seth. This son died soon after (December
28, 1819), and others of the Warner family made the house their home.
Colonel Pomeroy. — Colonel Thomas Pomeroy was one of the early
settlers. In 1820, when twenty-five years old, he moved to Florence
from the Center and built a house on the brow of the hill on the north
42
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
side of Locust street, which was bought by D. G. Littlefield in 1865, and
moved a few rods west to Main street, just east of Chestnut street.
After Pomeroy sold the house to Littlefield, he went to Northampton,
but the change of location did not suit him, and the next year, 1866, he
returned and erected another house near the old homestead, on the corner
of Pine and South Main streets, where he resided until his death in the
fall of 1880, at the age of eighty-five years.
The Colonel was wont to say that when he came to Florence land
was cheap and he could have purchased the entire territory for ten dollars
an acre. Wild game was plenty, and flocks of wild turkeys were often
seen in the vicinity of his house. Trout were also abundant, and a half
hour was sufficient to enable even an indifferent angler to catch all that
his ambition demanded. During his declining years, Colonel Pomeroy
was a great friend of the young folks, and frequently carried candy in
his pockets with which to treat the girls. At the old time husking bees,
it was his great delight to find the red ears and he was always careful to
reap the reward of his good luck. He was a genial, kind hearted old
gentleman, and for many years a deacon in the Congregational church.
The Dwight Farm. — Soon after 1820 (some say 1824) Colonel Cecil
Dwight came to Florence and made a home for himself and family on
the large tract of land lying in the northeast part of the village. A
few rods west of the spot where to-day Chestnut street intersects Bridge
road he built his house, which forms a part of the present " Herdsdale "
homestead. Colonel Dwight descended from an old Northampton
family. In early manhood he
was a deputy sheriff, an auc-
tioneer, and a colonel of mili-
tia, and in 1812 he represented
Northampton in the state leg-
islature. When he moved to
Florence he was fifty years old.
The farm comprised about
three hundred acres, previ-
ously owned by his father,
Major Timothy, who was an
extensive landowner, and is
said to have owned at one
time a large part of " Long Division." Colonel Cecil was the only one
of the large family of Dwights that chose Northampton for his perma-
nent home. He was much employed as an arbitrator in difficult matters
and actively promoted the material interests of the town. He was
nearly six feet high, broad shouldered and muscular, with regular feat-
RUINS OF OLD CHIMNEY — HERDSDALE FARM.
SETTLEMENT CONTINUED.
43
HERDSDALE FARM.
ures and piercing black eyes. He had eleven children, all born before
he moved to Florence. About 1830, he built, next to his own, a house
for one of his sons. He occupied the farm until about 1835, when his
son George took pos-
■
session. Cecil Dwight
died at Moscow, New
York, November 26,
1839. In 1S48 George
Dwight died and the
next occupant was
Joseph Conant, who
lived on the farm till
1852. Robert Fitts
owned the place for
six years ('54 to '60)
when he sold it to
Charles, a son of Ex-
Governor Fairbanks, of Vermont. Constant cropping of the soil with-
out just return had made the land poor. Although Mr. Fairbanks never
lived here, he made extensive improvements on the farm, and for
many years after he sold it it was known as the " Fairbanks Place."
Various persons have owned it since, each owner giving it a new name.
Once it was the " Chase Farm," then when D. W. Bond bought it he
called it " Herdsdale," and now it is known as the "Knight Place."
THE OLIVER WARNER TAVERN IN THE TWENTIES.
On the twenty-ninth of May, 1820, "Andrew and Henry W. Lord of
Saybrook, Connecticut, merchants," purchased the tavern stand of Oliver
Warner. After four years, the father, Andrew Lord, exchanged with
James Hutchinson of Northampton, his half interest in the tavern for the
William Warner homestead (the Polly Bosworth house), which Hutchin-
son had owned just a year. About this time a building was put up oppo-
site the tavern, on the site of the present hotel, and presumably it was
built by Andrew Lord for a shop. Here he made and sold combs, and
kept a small line of toys, and Messrs. Henry Shepherd and Edward War-
ner of Northampton both have vivid recollections of how attractive to
their youthful eyes was this neat little store, filled with all kinds of toys.
Mr. Shepherd thinks that Mr. Lord made in his shop the toys he sold. It
seems a strange place for such a store, situated as it was so far from the
center of the town. The half interest Mr. Hutchinson had purchased of
father Lord he sold the next spring to the son, Andrew Lord, who was
granted an innholder's license in March, and remained sole proprietor
44
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
until April 28, 1826, when the tavern with the accompanying thirty acre
farm was sold to James Shepherd for four thousand dollars.
In 1810 James Shepherd started the woolen mills in what is now the
village of Leeds, then and for nearly fifty years afterwards known as
" Shepherd's Hollow." He was one of the first persons in this country to
manufacture broadcloths and woolens. Soon after he bought the tavern
he erected a good sized building a few rods east of the tavern barn, nearly
on the site of the present Knights of Honor block. He bought large
quantities of wool in the "fleece," put up in great bales. As only a cer-
tain grade of wool could be made into broadcloth, all that he bought had
to be assorted, the different grades selected and placed in separate bun-
dles. This wool " loft " served both as an assorting and a store house.
Mr. Shepherd never occupied the tavern, but rented it to others. He
failed in 1828, and Nathaniel Fowle, who had indorsed for Shepherd,
seems to have taken upon himself the management of the tavern. Who
the landlords of the inn were after Shepherd became proprietor in 1826,
until Paul Strong bought the place in 1832,1s not certainly known. Sev-
eral names have been found in the records of the Court of Sessions as
possible tavern keepers in Florence. They are as follows : 1826 and 1827,
Luther White ; September, 1828, no clew ; 1829, Paul Strong ; Septem-
ber, 1830, Harvey Kirkland ; 1831, Ira Atkins, who afterwards kept the
small shop opposite the tavern, or Charles Morton ; and in June, 1832,
Paul Strong was granted the license of an " innholder with spirits," at
the " Lord house."
OLD SILK MILL KOARDINC, HOUSE FORMERLY JAMES SHEPHERDS WOOL HOUSE.
CHAPTER VI.
FROM 1 83 1 TO 1835.
The "Traveler's Home." — The Tavern Stand; and an Evening Scene. — Early
Roads and Bridges. — The Later History of the Saw, Grist and Oil Mills.
The Paul Strong tavern was, in its day, the most prominent feature
of Florence, and through it the surrounding settlement was known.
The house now standing on the corner of Main and Maple streets was
built in 1S09, by Oliver Warner, but not until Paul Strong appears on
the scene did the inn attain its greatest popularity.
Paul Strong was born in Westhamp-
ton, September 25, 1780. In the spring
of 1800 he married Sarah Chapman,
of Easthampton. They lived on a
farm in Westhampton twenty-seven
years, and their seven sons and four
daughters were born there. In 1827
Paul went to Northampton and en-
tered the employ of Oliver Warner,
as bartender and clerk at the famous
"Warner tavern." He purchased the
Florence tavern in December, 1832,
for thirteen hundred dollars, of the
Greenfield Bank, into whose hands the
Shepherd property had passed only
a short time before. The farm in-
cluded fifty acres of land lying north
of Main and North Main streets.
When the railroads were built about 1845 the tavern was discontinued.
Paul Strong died in 1S56, at the age of seventy-six. His wife died in
1864, aged eighty-four. Four of his children are living. Those in this
vicinity are Mrs. Caleb Loud, of Loudville, and James William Strong,
of Easthampton, the former eighty-three years old, and the latter seventy-
four.
Situated on the turnpike from Boston to Albany, which previous to
the advent of the railroads in 1841 was the usual route to the west, this
Paul Strong inn received its share of the heavy patronage on the through
line, and furthermore was a famous resort, especially in the winter, when
sleighing parties came from all the surrounding towns. Near the close
of the last century several lines of stages were in regular operation, and
PAUL STRONG.
46
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
one could travel with little difficulty or delay in almost any direction.
The line to Albany was started in 1794, with Pease, Hunt &: Co. the
proprietors. Their advertisement appearing in an old Gazette reads : —
" The Stages leave Boston and Albany, on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday of
every week, at five o'clock in the morning. The stage from Boston, on its way to
Northampton, tarries the first night at Spencer, and the second at Northampton.
The stage from Albany on its way to Northampton, (passes by New Lebannon
Springs,) tarries the first night at Pittsfield, and the second night at Northampton,
where they exchange passengers — and the next morning, at five o'clock [the
hour was changed later to three] leave Northampton for Boston and Albany.
The price of each passenger is 3d per mile, 14 II). baggage gratis— 150 lb. of
baggage charged the same as a passenger."
MAIN STREET — LOOKING EAST FROM CUSMIAN PARK.
As the years went by the patronage naturally increased till it reached
a climax just before the railroads were opened. The travel here was
immense for those days. Colonel Pomeroy used to say that he had
known twelve heavily loaded stages to pass over this route in a day,
during the height of the season at Saratoga. When the stage stopped
to water the horses, many of the travelers were tempted to get " some-
thing " to brace up their flagging spirits near the close of an all day's
journey, or to warm themselves both inside and out on some frosty
morning when the very early start from Northampton had occasioned
them no little discomfort. During all the time that this house was open
for the accommodation of the public, liquors were sold at its bar as freely
as the viands from its table. The flip-iron was in almost constant use,
and the " flowing bowl " was drained with a frequency quite astonish-
ing to the teetotalers of the present day.
FROM 1831 TO 1835.
47
The Tavern Stand ; and an Evening Scene. — The old tavern pre-
sented much the same appearance in 1832 that it does to-day. Save for
the addition now used by F. D. R. Warner as a store, and some minor
changes on the rear, the old structure is the same on the outside. This
cannot be said of the interior, the attic
being the only part that bears no traces
of the remodeling hammer and saw.
In 1831, a casual observer from the
highway would first notice the sign. It
stood eight feet from and in line with
the southeast corner of the main build-
ing, bearing on each side the inscription
"Traveler's Home, P. Strong." Sus-
pended on a pole that reached to the
eaves, it swung back and forth, the sport
of every gust of wind.
Directly opposite the tavern was the
small shop then occupied by Ira Atkins,
who made patent leather, and was a
saddler and harness maker by trade.
West of the tavern was the garden.
Boyhood days are the days to be re-
membered, and Mr. William Strong has
retained vivid impressions of many in-
cidents that took place in Florence when he was a boy. One day he was
setting out bean poles, and when the task was nearly done he found —
and who that ever set bean poles has not had the same experience ? —
that he had not poles enough to finish his plot. "As I looked around for
one," he says, " I happened to see this little sprout of a buttonball tree.
I cut it down and put it in the ground, and that tree that is there now
(directly in front of Julius Maine's house) is a sprout of the old root from
which I cut my bean pole." In the rear of the tavern was the bowling
alley, the long, narrow building a favorite resort of the young folks
when dancing was not in order. The tavern barn stood about where
the Morgan house is now.
We have completed the inspection of the tavern surroundings, so now
let us step inside. If the winter has set in and the genial host is enter-
taining a sleighing party, the sight will be a gay one. Entering the side
door (the front door was used for state occasions only), we find ourselves
in the office, or, as it was known in those days, the barroom. This room
was the center of the social and political life of the village. On the
opposite side of the room the huge open fire blazed brightly on the
PAUL STRONG TAVERN SIGN.
48
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
1
STORE
OLD HATFIELD
PARLOR
KITCHEN
DINING ROOM.
BAR.
TRONT
PARLOR
JCHIMLY
HALL
BAR ROOM
OR OFFICE
hearth. To the right was the bar, and on the wall back of it were shelves
holding rows of large bottles, conspicuously labeled "New Rum," "Old
Whiskey," "Jamaica Rum," etc., etc. If the sleighing party has just
arrived, the young ladies are warming themselves before the fire, but if
they have adjourned to the dancing hall above, the
driver and one or two other men occupy the few
straight-backed homemade chairs ; possibly a game
of cards has been started around the rude, wooden
table that stands in the center of the room.
The door to the right of the fireplace opens into
the dining room, and within we see the festive
board heavily laden in anticipation of the keen ap-
petites of the guests. Back of the dining room
is the kitchen, presenting a very lively scene, for the
tidy wife of the landlord, assisted by the daughters,
is busily preparing the feast.
Passing through the front hall
we enter the parlor, called the
"front parlor," to distinguish
it from the one in the rear of
the house, and named " Old
Hatfield " because it was so
far away. But the sound of
music and the shuffling of
manv feet leads us to the
rooms above. After ascending
the stairs that lead from the
piazza we turn to the right and find ourselves in a cozy hall, twenty by
thirty-eight feet, lighted by candles, and warmed by glowing fires in two
good sized fireplaces. In the middle of the floor are the dancers, the
men stamping heavily as they keep time to the music,* which comes from
the solitary fiddler seated on the platform at the north end of the hall.
Bursts of laughter mingle with the noise of the stamping and the
squeaking of the violin, and the whole scene is one of excessive merri-
ment. Late is the hour when the party breaks up, after having danced
and supped to their heart's content. Bidding the landlord good night,
they file out of the door and arrange themselves in the long box sleigh
amongst a profusion of wraps, robes, and straw. The driver cracks the
long whip, and in an instant the music of the bells is heard far down the
road. The landlord, son, and hostler return to the barroom. Any soli-
ex
GROUND PLAN OF TAVERN.
* It is stated that Samuel Parsons (father of Colonel Joe), while dancing in this hall, once
stamped so hard that he knocked considerable plastering from the ceiling of the room below.
FROM 1831 TO 1835.
49
tary guest who has not already gone to bed is aroused from his sleepy
mood, occasioned by the lateness of the hour and a too free indulgence
in the flowing- spirits. Taking the candle from the mantelpiece, the host
precedes the weary traveler up the narrow staircase, and shows him the
ice cold chamber in which he is to sleep. Soon the barroom is deserted
by all save the hostler, who, after carefully " raking up " the embers in
the big fireplace, stretches himself on the bunk at the right of the door,
and in less than five minuses is sound asleep. Outside, the creaking of
the sign as it swings to and fro in the gusts of wind that whistle around
the corner is the only sound that disturbs the silence of the wintry night.
EARLY ROADS AND BRIDGES.
The first traveled way from the center to Florence was not a road
in the modern sense of the word. It was simply a cart path made by
cutting awav the trees and brush and was laid out over the most con-
LOOKING TOWARD BRUSH SHOP BRIDGE, SHOWING DORSEY HOUSE.
venient route, always going around obstacles, such as large stones or
marshy ground. The date of the layout of this first road is not recorded,
but it was within fourteen years after the first settlers came to North-
ampton, as the following item from the town book shows : —
" Voted and agreed that the Committee here mentioned is lmpowered by the
Town to Treat with & to conclude (if they can) with Cornelius Merry to give
him Satisfaction with respect to the Damage he sustained by the Town's taking
a highway out of his lot that is up the Mill river at Broughton's meadow to be
seven rods wide."
5°
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
This first highway, starting from the junction of North Elm and
Prospect streets, near the site of the old Dennison Water Cure, passed
by the spot where the Dickinson Hospital now stands and led straight
across the plain to Leonard's Silk Mill. The road crossed Broughton's
MAP OF FLORENCE, 183I.
brook just below the dam of Warner's (Leonard's) pond, then turned to
the northwest, keeping on the brow of the hill till it coincided with the
present Pine street at a point near the Kindergarten, thence followed
that street till it came to the river, near the existing Brush Shop bridge.
In 1702 this road was extended "through Broughton's Meadow," to a
point near where Julius Phelps built in 1815. This first highway was
later called " Stoddard's road," and after White built his oil mill it was
known as the " oil mill road."
FROM 1 83 1 TO 1835. 51
The other main road from Northampton from the same starting point
led northerly to the Catholic cemetery, thence followed the route of
the present " Bridge road " to Florence. This was for a long time called
the " North road," in contrast to the " South road," by which the first
highway was known. Both of these highways are shown on the map of
1754, on page 20, and the map on opposite page. In 1831 there was no
road to Easthampton, and none south of the "oil mill road,"* all the
territory from the dam to the old paper mill below Bay State being
a wilderness, and an excellent hunting ground for the boys of the neigh-
borhood. Albert G. Jewett, who hunted here when a boy, says the region
was full of squirrels, partridges, skunks, woodchucks, and foxes. The
D wight farm (" Herdsdale ") was not then easily accessible from the
center of the settlement, the choice of routes being around by Joseph
Warner's or by what is now Hatfield street and the Catholic cemetery.
No bridge was built in this region for eighty years after the settle-
ment of Northampton. In the record of a highway "through Brough-
ton's Meadow " in 1702 the following is found, "Which Highway as soon
as you go over Mill river at the Common place of going over," proving
mp:
MEADOW STREET BRIDGE — FORMERLY BURT'S ISRIDGE.
that there was no bridge at that time. Whether this fording place was
at Meadow street or at Pine street is not known. The first bridge was
built soon after December 25, 1733, as under this date the following item
appears in the town book : —
" Voted to build a bridge over the Mill river above Hulbert's Sawmill as Soon
as conveniently may be & that Ebenezer Clark, John Baker and Joseph Wright
be a Committee & to take care to effect the Same.''
*Nonotuck street was laid out in 1836.
52
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
The bridge was lower down than the present Pine street bridge and
extended north and south across the river, only a few feet above the dam,
which was then a little further up stream. The bridge needed repairing
in 1736 and a committee was appointed to see to it. Soon it came to be
known as " Hulbert's Mill bridge." In 1768 the bridge was rebuilt, but
only four years after we find this in the town book : —
" And then on Information of the State of Hulbert's bridge, the Towne voted
that Mr. Enoch Clark, the surveyor, be desired to provide a Sleeper and also pro-
vide and replace the hook posts and girts and make an effectual reparation of the
same."
According to Judd, when Abner Hunt (born 1768) was a boy this
bridge was where the Brush Shop bridge is now, so it is likely that when
FROM COSMIAN TOWER — EAST.
it was rebuilt in 1768 it was placed farther up stream. Since 1830 there
have been three different bridges there, the first was of wood, with side-
walks on each side, and the second was the same as the present one, and
was swept away by the Mill River flood.
FROM 1 83 1 TO 1835.
53
THE LATER HISTORY OK THE SAW, GRIST, AND OIL MILLS.
The years just preceding the appearance in 1835 of Mr. Samuel
Whitmarsh upon the stage on which he afterward played such an impor-
tant part, were the years that witnessed the final development of the oil,
grist, and saw mills. Early in
the spring of 1822, Eliza, the
only daughter of the veteran
oil maker, Josiah White, was
married to Colonel WilliamW.
Thompson of Brimfield. This
union brought to Florence a
man who afterwards became
quite as conspicuous in the
life of the settlement as Josiah
White himself. Thompson
lived with his father White in
the little house near the Nono-
tuck dam before referred to.
He was a strong Democrat,
and at one time was a candi-
date for lieutenant-governor
of this state. It is said that
he was not over fond of work.
Thompson was a great story
teller (possibly because he
was a politician), and was ac-
quainted with everybody. He
always drove a good horse in
good style, and if reports are
correct was one of " Uncle
Paul's" best customers. He
was six feet high, with broad shoulders, and a fine figure. His early
education had been that of a lawyer, but he preferred to dabble in poli-
tics, smoke a cob pipe, and patronize the tavern bar, rather than do any-
thing in his profession. His father White was growing old, and therefore
Thompson worked about the mills. In 1832 White died and Thompson
assumed the control and supervision of the various industries built up
under the fostering care of the oil maker. The oil and grist mill at the
east end of the dam was still in existence, although the oil business must
have been practically defunct. The old water wheel that turned the mill
stones and furnished power to the huge oil press was of a kind called
a "Coffin wheel." From all we can learn of this wheel it must have been
Pausing here a minute, we will bear a squirrel chuckle,
As he darts from out the underbrush and scampers up a tree.
—James Whitcomb Riley.
54
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
of the reactionary type, which is illustrated in its simplest form by the
wheel known as " Barker's mill." Anson Reed was employed by Thomp-
son and worked at the grist mill. He moved to Newbury, Ohio, a few
years after 1832.
On the opposite side of the river, a little below the dam, was the saw-
mill building, which at this time contained a machine shop and other
industries. An overshot wheel at the south end of the dam furnished
power for a sawmill on the first floor of the building. The log yard was
on the high ground south of the mill. The basement was fitted up for
a machine shop, with lathes, trip hammer, etc., and here Asher Shepherd
and his son Frank did quite a business manufacturing butcher knives and
NOR III MAPLE STREET — FROM HOTEL CORNER.
screw drivers. Soon after 1832 a machine for making shingles was in use,
and a little later a planing machine was set up by a man named Smith,
from Hardwick. Previous to the time when Mr. Jewett built his shop on
the Oil Mill road he used this machine shop for turning bobbins. Asher
Shepherd lived in the Polly Bosworth house for a few years after 1832.
Esquire Thompson lived here till 1835, when he sold his farm to Sam-
uel Whitmarsh and moved to Peoria, 111., where his strong Democratic
convictions soon brought him into prominence, and he was the party
candidate for governor or lieutenant-governor of that state. The pur-
chase by Whitmarsh of the Thompson property marks the beginning of
a new era in the life of the little settlement called the " Warner District."
CHAPTER VII.
MULBERRY FEVER AND SILK ENTERPRISE.
Early Biography of Samuel Whitmarsh. — The Northampton Silk Company.—
Later Enterprises of Mr. Whitmarsh. — David Lee and Lydia Maria
Child. — Josiah Gilbert Holland.
For several years following 1835, Northampton was the center of an
excitement which, of its kind, is believed to have been without a parallel
in the country. It was similar in some respects to the great oil specu-
lation in Pennsylvania a few
years ago. To follow the
course of events leading up
to the time when Florence
took an active interest in the
rage, let us turn back a few
years and observe the move-
ments of one of the leaders of
this excitement.
Samuel Whitmarsh was
born in Boston, November,
1800. By the death of his
father, he wras thrown upon
his own resources in early
life, and was apprenticed to
a bookbinder. After serving
his time, in connection with
his brother Thomas he en-
gaged in the dry goods busi-
ness in his native town. Soon
they went to New York, where
they continued to deal in dry
goods and added to their
business a line of men's fur-
nishing goods. This new de-
parture soon led them into the merchant tailoring business. Mr. Whit-
marsh thought that if he could furnish a superior article the better class
of people, heretofore " custom-made " men, would give him their trade.
He was not mistaken and soon the business proved very successful. In
1829, having accumulated a comfortable property, he came to North-
ampton and purchased of Major William Parsons, of South street, the
SAMUEL WHITMARSH.
56
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
Fort hill property, embracing substantially the lands now owned by Mr.
E. H. R. Lyman. On the high ground where Mr. Lyman's house now
stands he erected a commodious residence, later extensively remodeled
and enlarged by Mr. Jacob Singmaster and Mr. Lyman. Mr. Whitmarsh
set to work at once to beautify his place. He laid out the grounds, built
JUNCTION PARK AND MEADOW STREET.
walks, driveways, and terraces, set out shrubbery and trees, erected a
large greenhouse, made a beautiful garden, and from the wild pasture
and plowlands brought forth one of the most beautiful places in the
Connecticut valley. He had taste and talent for landscape gardening,
and did much for Northampton in this line.
In some way he became interested in raw silk, and thought that its
production might be successfully carried on in this country. With him,
to reach a conclusion was to act upon it. Within one or two years after
he built the Fort Hill house, he engaged in the cultivation of the mul-
berry. He began on a small scale, and gradually added to his collection
of trees as his interest in the subject increased. The only variety of mul-
berry that had been commonly grown in this country was the " white
mulberry." He first experimented with this variety, but soon found
another and apparently much superior kind, the " morus multicaulis."
He introduced this to the few growers and farmers in this region who
had caught some of his enthusiasm regarding this new industry.
A few towns in Connecticut were interested in the manufacture of
silk, and the tireless and persistent efforts of a few leaders like Mr. Whit-
marsh bore fruit in the public press in articles on mulberry tree cultiva-
tion and the care of the silkworm. By 1835 he was thoroughly convinced
that something should be done on a larger scale than he was able to
MULBERRY FEVER AND SILK ENTERPRISE. 57
prosecute single handed, and he therefore took steps to carry out this
idea.
The Northampton Silk Company. — The valuable water privilege in
Florence at this time was the property of Esquire Thompson. Mr.
Whitmarsh thought this a desirable spot for his pet scheme, as the water
privilege and surrounding interval lands in the fertile ;' Broughton's
Meadow " afforded power and territory sufficient for all future demands
of the enterprise. By the middle of September he had purchased nearly
three hundred acres of land with which to begin operations. He paid
Esquire Thompson seven thousand five hundred dollars for his ninety
acre farm, which included the sawmill, oil mill, and water privilege ; he
gave Gaius Burt six thousand dollars for his productive one hundred acre
farm in the meadow, and obtained ninety-five acres more from William
Clark, Senior. He then went to New York to secure money to push his
enterprise. His sanguine hopes and great earnestness soon enlisted a
ready response from moneyed men, and before the middle of October
he had organized the " Northampton Silk Company," as the name is
recorded in all the legal documents, instead of the " New York and
Northampton Silk Company," the name given in previous histories. By
an act of the Legislature the company was incorporated in the spring.
Among the men interested in the project were Ebenezer Jackson and
Samuel Russell of Middletovvn, Connecticut, Augustus Heard of Boston,
Smith W. Anderson, Stephen A. Halsey, Robert Jones, James Bowen,
Henry \V. Sergeant, John C. Bergh, John W. P. Arcularius, E. W. & F.
Tryon, Howard, Kieler & Schofield, Comstock & Andrews, Charles N. S.
Rowland, Daniel L. Suydam, Newton Hayes, Christopher S. Hubbard,
Charles N. Talbot, Joseph W. Alsop, Junior, Henry H. Casey, Isaac Jones,
Eustis Prescott, Charles St. John, and Stephen Crocker, all of New York
city.
Ebenezer Jackson was an English weaver. The first board of officers
was as follows : Samuel Whitmarsh, president ; Talbot, Russell, Hub-
bard, and Bowen, directors ; Charles St. John, treasurer, and William H.
Schofield, clerk.
To acquaint himself with the practical details of the contemplated
business, Mr. Whitmarsh, before the last of October, had sailed for Europe.
He visited the silk growing regions of France, Italy, and Switzerland,
and made large purchases in France, so large, in fact, that the Gazette
says, "The demand for the morus multicaulis is greater than ever.
Mr. Whitmarsh's purchases have raised the price of it in that country
[France] nearly fifty per cent." Mr. Whitmarsh had a very competent
agent in Mr. C. P. Huntington, the editor of the Gazette, who made good
use of his organ to advertise the business. Mr. Whitmarsh did not return
58
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
to Northampton till the first of May (1836), but in March this advertise-
ment appeared in the Gazette: —
"FOR SALE.
" 50,000 Trees of the Morus Multicaulis, together with a quantity of the GENUINE
SEED of the Chinese Mulberry, in papers sufficient for between three and four
thousand plants each."
The seed sold for five dollars a paper, but, notwithstanding the high
price, inside of a week orders for two hundred dollars worth had been
received. The trees arrived the middle of May, and those three feet long
were sold at from thirty to thirty-five cents apiece by the hundred.
r
1
—^^u+SSm |m
p*p°«.", ■
OLD SILK MILL HOARDING HOUSE. VIEW NEAR THE DAM.
LILLY PLACE.
The work now began in good earnest. The company decided to stock
one hundred acres with engrafted trees that year. A crop of corn had
been raised on the land the year before, this being regarded as a neces-
sary preparation of the soil for the cultivation of the mulberry. Mr.
William Clark was given the crop for the labor of growing it, and he was
now employed to set out the trees. All the land between Park street
and the river, fifteen acres in Ross Meadow, and the hillside south of
Pine street were covered with cuttings of the multicaulis and the
Chinese varieties. The European imported trees were not replanted,
MULBERRY FEVER AND SILK ENTERPRISE. 59
but were cut into slips about six inches long, and then set in the earth.
The growth was vigorous, and in the fall the tops of the plants were cut
off, and set the ensuing spring.
On the eighth of June the company met and re-elected the first
board of officers. Success seemed to look them in the face. The quiet
hamlet — "the Warner District" — must have presented a busy appear-
ance that summer. By the last of June " machines from Europe, and of
domestic construction," had arrived, for reeling and weaving silk, and
by the first of August the old oil mill was being made ready for the
machinery with which to manufacture sewing silk.
It is probable that this season Mr. Whitmarsh built his large cocoon-
ery on the Fort Hill estate. It was two hundred feet long, twenty-six
feet wide, and two stories high, and accommodated two million worms.
The company this year had no raw silk of their own production. During
the early fall a committee from Congress came to Northampton to exam-
ine the company's plantation. Daniel Webster, Abbott Lawrence, and
James K. Mills, then famous for their advocacy of the doctrine of pro-
tection to American industries, made up this committee.
September 13, 1833, the company bought of Jennette N. Ridgeway
the " wool warehouse," built by James Shepherd, that stood near Paul
Strong's tavern, and Mr. Ashley of West Springfield and a gang of men
moved it across lots to a spot nearly opposite the old oil mill, where it
stands to this day. This afterwards became the "old silk mill boarding
house." Some machinery was put into this building, and samples of
plain and figured satins were woven here. These Mr. Whitmarsh took
to Washington and presented to Henry Clay, who was much gratified
with them as specimens of home manufactures.
The fall months were uneventful ones, and the excitement cooled
with the weather. The opening of the new year (1837) found the com-
pany manufacturing sewing silk, and according to the papers it was
" used by all the tailors in town." " Northampton sewing silk " sold
well in New York, and the Gazette said : "The company are manufac-
turing at the rate of two hundred dollars worth per day and yet can-
not supply the demand." In May Mr. Whitmarsh imported from
Europe fifteen thousand dollars worth of mulberry trees, but owing to
poor packing lost a large quantity of them. More land on the meadows
and upland was set with trees this season, making about one hundred
acres in all. The Alpine variety was introduced but was not as popular
as the multicaulis. The company built this year a substantial brick
factory, on a stone foundation, one hundred and twenty by forty feet,
and four stories high. This building is now the Braid Mill. The canal
was dug from the dam to the factory, and the machinery in the oil mill
6o
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
transferred to the large building. A small house was built at the foot
of the hill, at the junction of what is now Maple and Nonotuck streets.
This was occupied by Mr. Benson in Community times, and some years
ago was moved to the corner of River road and Landy avenue.
Not content with the amount of land already theirs, on June first the
company bought twenty acres of Allen Clark, and in September paid
Luther C. Clark two thousand dollars for one hundred acres additional.
Their estate now embraced the whole of the southern and western por-
tion of the present village.
The spring of 1838 witnessed no abatement of the mulberry craze,
but the silk company was short of funds. Although they claimed a
capital of $100,000, with liberty to extend to $150,000, it appears that
only about $60,000
had been subscribed.
At a meeting held the
first of June, they
voted to raise $30,000
immediately, in order
to pursue their oper-
ations with increased
vigor. In June a ma-
chine for making
watch and other nar-
row ribbons was put
in operation, being " a
new application of
machinery" as the
papers stated. During the fall of 1838 the excitement ran high. The
discussions in the newspapers, and the accounts of sales recently made
at large profits, had been too much for even the staid old farmers, and
every one rushed into the business, many without any knowledge of it.
Small plants were sold for fabulous prices, some even for nearly their
weight in gold, and there was hardly a garden in Northampton but rejoiced
in these treasures. The fever had spread until it embraced all parts of
New England where the mulberry could be grown. Trees sold at one,
two, and three dollars apiece. Later, so valuable were they considered
that cuttings a few inches in length sold for between two and three dol-
lars per bud, and hothouses were pressed into service to supply the
demand, the ordinary course of nature being too slow for the dealers.
In the following spring Mr. Whitmarsh published a neat little book,
of one hundred and fifty pages, on " Eight Years' Experience and Obser-
vation in the Culture of the Mulberry Tree, and in the Care of the Silk-
FACTORY. — AFTERWARDS "COMMUNITY BOARDING HOUSE."
MULBERRY FEVER AND SILK ENTERPRISE.
61
worm." It was printed in Northampton, and, as all previous works on
this subject had been reprints from foreign authors, not at all appli-
cable to the "American system," it met with a ready sale. His great
earnestness and evidently sincere convictions regarding the prosperous
future of the new industry permeate the entire volume. The book treats
of every detail of the business and, fifty years after the failure of the
enterprise, it furnishes interesting reading.
L. P. Brockett, M.D., was in Northampton in the spring of 1839, an<^
says that Mr. Whitmarsh and Dr. Daniel Stebbins were rejoicing over
the purchase of a dozen multicaulis cuttings, not more than two feet
long and of the thickness of a pipe-stem, for twenty-five dollars. "They
are worth sixty dollars," exclaimed the Doctor in his enthusiasm.
On the first of May, pursuant to the state law, the company gave notice
that the amount of all assessment voted and actually paid was $94,450,
and that all existing debts were
$48,494.18. Some silk vesting was
woven this year. The first superin-
tendent, Thomas W. Shepherd, had
left, and Mr. Whitmarsh went to
Mansfield, Conn., and, on August 9,
hired Mr. Joseph Conant to take
charge of the business. Mr. Conant
was one of the first silk manufac-
turers in the United States, having
made silk as early as 1829. He was
a man of character and of great
ability. Earle Dvvight Swift and Or-
well S. Chaffee came to Northamp-
ton with Mr. Conant. Mr. Whitmarsh
soon severed his connection with the
company, bought a building in North-
ampton, later called the " Hive," and
began alone the manufacture of silk.
The mulberry bubble, now blown to immense proportions by the
breath of the speculators, could stand the strain no longer, and without
a word of warning burst, bringing ruin to thousands. The company
began to realize that making silk was not on the whole an easy task ;
the machinery was rude, and little was accomplished. On March 18,
1840, the Gazette printed a notice, "Property of the Northampton Silk
Company For Sale." On April 9, the stockholders appointed Talbot,
Alsop, Jr., and Casey, trustees, with directions to sell or lease the prop-
erty, and, on May 1, they rented the estate to Joseph Conant, for a term
CAPTAIN JOSEPH C. CONANT.
62 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
of three years if desired, for one thousand dollars a year, said Conant to
have the leaves of the mulberry plants on said premises." This lease was
not satisfactory, for the next year, on the first of April, the estate was sold
at auction with the figures standing at $22,250. It appears that the trus-
tees above named were the purchasers. Mr. Conant remained as lessee
till September 14, 1841, when the property was bought by the leaders of
the future "Community."
LATER ENTERPRISES OF MR. WHITMARSH.
After leaving the Northampton Silk Company, Mr. Whitmarsh had
not proceeded far in his new project at the " Hive " when he went to
Jamaica, led there by a reward offered by the government for the suc-
cessful establishment of the culture of silk on that island. After a visit
there of several months, he formed a company with a capital of one
hundred and fifty thousand dollars, one half of which was taken by
capitalists there, and the other half was assigned to him. He went to
London and disposed of his stock at par value.
At this time Mr. Whitmarsh displayed one of the noblest traits of his
character. Having thus come into the possession of ample pecuniary
means, he returned to Northampton and paid off his old debts in full,
with interest, amounting to about seventy-five thousand dollars. He
then collected a company of thirty-five men and women, bought horses,
machinery, implements, etc., chartered the vessel "Saxon," and on the
sixteenth of November, 1840, sailed from Charlestown for Jamaica.
They cleared one hundred acres and set twenty acres with mulberry
trees ; and erected a blacksmith shop, cocoonery, and a saw and shingle
mill. After a visit to this country Mr. Whitmarsh returned to Jamaica
only to find that one of the directors of the company, a lawyer by pro-
fession, had had some difficulty with the owners of an icehouse in which
the silkworm eggs had been placed, and had removed them to a cellar,
the dampness of which had spoiled them. This was a great blow to the
enterprise, and in 1846 Mr. Whitmarsh loaded a small vessel with tropical
plants, and, accompanied by his family of thirty American workmen,
sailed for Boston, with a view of opening a botanical garden there, the
ship and cargo being all that was left of a large property. The proposi-
tion, not meeting with success in Boston, was abandoned. His next
scheme was a steam furnace, and then a kind of belting, but both proved
failures, after sinking thousands of dollars in trying to develop them.
Mr. Whitmarsh was one of the most unobtrusive of men. His manner
was always quiet, his habits of life correct, and his aim was to do justly
and love mercy. The distinguishing trait in his character was his won-
derful hopefulness. He was never discouraged. Though failure after
MULBERRY FEVER AND SILK. ENTERPRISE.
63
failure overtook him, he was still confident that the next revolution of
fortune's wheel would bring him ample recompense for all his labors and
losses. He was no hypocrite and never sought to take advantage of
others. He possessed an extensive knowledge of men, and was a man of
unusual intelligence. If he lacked that practical quality which men who
achieve greater pecuniary advancement so often possess, he certainly
deserves the credit of sowing the seed from which sprang the present
industries of Florence, for his "Northampton Silk Company" led the
way for the Community, and the Community was the real beginning of
the present village of Florence. Mr. Whitmarsh died in Northampton,
April 21, 1875.
DAVID LEE AND LYDIA MARIA CHILI).
Before closing this chapter mention should be made of two families
afterwards noted in the literary world, who at this time were residents
of Florence. While the mulberry fever was raging, another enterprise
was also being discussed, namely, the making of sugar from beets. Mr.
Child had been in France, where
the culture of the beet for this
purpose was quite extensive,
and, on returning in the spring
of 1S38, he came to Northamp-
ton, determined to make sugar
from beet roots. The first year
he cultivated a few acres, and in
1840 he invented a " beet cutter"
and an improved process for
obtaining the sugar. Soon after he bought a farm on the road to East-
hampton, near the peat swamps, and here Mrs. Child wrote some of her
works. Mr. Child had twenty acres of sugar beets planted at the "Silk
Factory Farm," and some machinery was put in the oil mill. Another
of his schemes was to press peat that it might be used for fuel. Although
he spent considerable money on both these enterprises, neither proved
successful, and about 1847 Mr. Child moved from town.
Mrs. Child was not pleased with this region. In her " Letters " she
says : " I have never been so discouraged about abolition as since we
came into this iron bound valley of the Connecticut." And again : " If I
were to choose my home, I certainly would not place it in the valley of
the Connecticut. It is true, the river is broad and clear, the hills majes-
tic, and the whole aspect of outward nature most lordly. But, oh ! the
narrowness, the bigotry of man ! " At this time the influence of Jonathan
Edwards was still felt, and the old time theological spirit had not been
supplanted by the broader religious toleration of to-day.
CHILD PLACE ON EASTHAMPTON ROAD.
64
HISTORV OF FLORENCE.
DR. JOSIAH GILBERT HOLLAND.
At about this time (1835-40) this well known author was a resident of
Florence. Soon after 1836 his father, Harrison Holland, moved from
Granby to Northampton, and seems to have been employed in the silk
mill. Josiah was then twenty-three years old. He did not long remain
here, for in 1841 he purchased a " daguerreotype apparatus," and had
rooms at the "canal building" in the center, where he "executed minia-
ture likenesses by this interesting process." In 1843 he taught writing,
having his schoolroom at the Gazette office. According to his advertise-
ment "All pupils are required to furnish their own lights."
Harrison Holland spent several years in Florence, living in at least
three different houses. His first home, as far as ascertained, was in one of
the small houses west of the present Brush Factory bridge, on the road to
West Farms. For several years he lived in the William Warner (Polly
Bosworth) house, and then in the Paul Strong tavern. While living in
the latter house two of his daughters died, Clarissa, February 24, and
Lucretia B., July 13, 1842. Later the father moved to the small cottage
built by Jewett, that stands back of Leonard's Silk Mill boarding house ;
his son Harvey at this time having an interest in these mills. Harvey
built and lived in the house opposite the mill, which was remodeled a
few years ago by the late Mr. John N. Leonard. Harrison Holland died
in December, 1848, aged sixty-four. His inventive turn of mind made
him a thorough machinist, but he was unfortunate in his dealings with
men and never realized any reward for the machines he invented.
JEWETT PLACE — WHERE THE HOLLANDS LIVED.
.,1.4. JL
VIEW SOUTHEAST V
TRAWDEKRY HILL
CHAPTER VIII.
NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY.
The Spirit of the Times. — The Transcendental Movement. — Kindred Associa-
tions, Brook Farm and Hopedale. — The Projectors ok the Northampton
Association. — Why Florence Was Selected as the Site of the New Ven-
ture.— The Leaders Buy the Silk Company's Property. — The Preliminary
Circular. — Organization. — Constitution and By-Laws. — Items from the
Secretary's Book.
A few months of peace and quiet followed the crisis of the mulberry-
fever and the failure of the silk company. The inhabitants of this little
hamlet were content to till their farms without indulging in speculative
ventures, and therefore they inwardly rejoiced when the silk company's
project was abandoned. This feeling of satisfaction was not of long dura-
tion, however, for soon a number of people, with peculiar ideas, bought
the silk company's estate and came to Florence determined to establish
a new social order, in accordance with the most advanced ideas of the
time. Social innovations are always regarded with disfavor until they
have justified themselves, and these earnest men and women encountered
many obstacles in their effort to advance the cause of the " brotherhood
of man."
Before proceeding to study the new institution, which its founders
named the " Northampton Association of Education and Industry," let
us consider briefly the spirit of the times that prompted this experiment.
The years just preceding the beginning of their undertaking had been
years of active agitation on the part of the socialists. Projects of radi-
cal social reform filled the air. In the words of John Morley : " A great
wave of humanity, of benevolence, of desire for improvement, — a great
wave of social sentiment, in short, — poured itself among all who had
the faculty of large and disinterested thinking." Among the men who
were representatives of the vital movement in the direction of spiritual
66 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
supernaturalism may be mentioned Dr. Pusey and Dr. Newman. The
Church of England was the target for the criticism of Thomas Arnold
and F. D. Maurice, who were trying to broaden it so that " it might
embrace heaven and earth, faith and philosophy, creed and criticism."
Carlyle's voice was heard above the uproar, crying against shams in
religion and politics. But these were not the only ones who were clam-
oring for a better state of society. Dickens in his novels was vividly
portraying the wrongs of the established order ; Kingsley was " stirring
the caldron of social discontent " ; while George Combe, Cobden, John
Bright, and Daniel O'Connell gave their energies to the cause of progress.
The teachings of Robert Owen were everywhere discussed. Not England
and France alone, but all Europe was invaded by this spirit of reform.
In speaking of the twenty years following 1820 Emerson says: "It
seemed a war between intellect and affection ; a crack in nature, which
split every church in Christendom into Papal and Protestant ; Calvinism
into Old and New Schools ; Quakerism into Old and New ; brought new
divisions in politics ; as the new conscience touching temperance and
slavery."
The influence exerted by this great movement for reform was felt in
the United States, and the Americans, with less reverence for old cus-
toms and precedents than the English, soon struck out on unbroken
ground and resolved to put to a practical test the principles and theories
of these reformers. Owen's scheme known as the " New Harmony
Settlement" may be said to have reached its greatest popularity in 1826.
Before 1842, through the indefatigable zeal of Albert Brisbane and Horace
Greeley, the writings of Fourier were interpreted to this country.
Eleven experiments followed Owen's, and no less than thirty-four were
started from the influence exerted by Fourier's teachings. Noyes, in his
" History of American Socialisms," says that of these forty-five Com-
munities or Phalanxes, " the majority perished within a year or two of
their formation ; many of them did not last more than a few months,
and only three survived for a period exceeding five years."
The Northampton Association of Education and Industry seems to
have had its origin in the movement known as " transcendentalism,"
which sprang up soon after 1836, and enlisted in its interest a company
of gifted men and women, among whom were Margaret Fuller, George
Ripley, Samuel Robbins, John S. Dwight, Warren Burton, Dr. Convers
Francis, Theodore Parker, Rev. Adin Ballou, Dr. Hedge, Orestes Augus-
tus Brownson, James Freeman Clark, and William H. Channing. From
the informal afternoon meetings which these friends of progress held at
one another's houses in Boston, where social topics were discussed, grew
the more serious thought, which led to the forming of an association.
NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY.
67
There was some difficulty in securing an agreement on principles upon
which to lay a foundation. Mr. Ballou believed that success could only
be obtained by an avowal of convictions on the part of those uniting, while
Mr. Ripley wished to avoid the least appearance of coercion, and to rely
wholly on the fraternal spirit to bind the members together. In conse-
quence of this difference of opinion a
friendly separation took place ; Mr.
Ballou and a band of practical re-
formers established themselves at
Hopedale, Worcester county, Massa-
chusetts, where they founded the
" Hopedale Community," while Mr.
Ripley and his friends in the spring
of 1841 proceeded to West Roxbury,
where they organized the " Brook
Farm Institute of Agriculture and
Education." Margaret Fuller, Haw-
thorne, Charles Anderson Dana, and
others were there, and, as they after-
wards became famous in the literary
world, Brook Farm is perhaps the
most widely known of the contempo-
rary associations.
While these leaders of thought in Boston were busy discussing tran-
scendentalism and the prospects of forming associations, there were others
who were equally on the alert to receive, weigh, and consider the ideas
advanced at their meetings. Among these were William Adam, David
Mack, George W. Benson, and Samuel L. Hill. Mr. Adam was a native
of Edinburgh, Scotland, and a graduate of its famous University.
At this time he was professor of Oriental languages at Harvard Univer-
sity, and living so near Boston naturally felt the influence of the tran-
scendental movement. David Mack was born in Middlefield, Mass., in
1803. Like Mr. Adam he was at this time in Cambridge, having only a
few years previous opened a day and boarding school for young ladies in
that town. He was so impressed with the spirit of reform that, when
Brook Farm was started in the spring of 1841, he became an associate
member. Mr. Benson was from Brooklyn, Connecticut. Before his
father's death he was engaged in the wholesale leather business, and just
before coming to Northampton was in charge of two farms, one in
Brooklyn and one in Providence. William Lloyd Garrison had marriecl
Mr. Benson's sister, and this union naturally brought Mr. Benson -in
touch with the more advanced thinkers of the time. Samuel L. Hill was
DAVID MACK.
68
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
an overseer in a Willimantic cotton factory, and had kept pace with the
world's thought through contact with Garrison's Liberator and corre-
spondence with the Boston transcendentalists. It is not known which
of these four men was the first to broach the subject of starting a Com-
munity. They had been in correspondence with one another previous to
the spring of 1841.
In all probability the failure of the silk company first brought North-
ampton to the notice of the four leaders. Whitmarsh's silk enterprise
had been the subject of many an article in the New England newspapers,
and when the property was advertised for sale it was natural that it
should suggest an excellent opportunity to obtain for a very small sum
a valuable property, well suited Ito 'the needs of the project. Mr. Hill
had known Mr. Conant while the latter was in Mansfield (Mr. Conant
was related to Mr. Hill by marriage) and it is evident that Mr. Hill was
the prime mover in selecting Florence as the site for the experiment.
It seems that the plans for organization had been matured before the
spring of 1841, for at this time Mr. Hill moved from Willimantic and
took up his residence in " Broughton's
Meadows." During the summer it is
presumed that Messrs. Benson, Adam,
and Mack visited Florence to look
over the ground and to consult Mr.
Conant, who had a lease of the silk
property, with reference to his joining
the proposed association and giving it
his support.
On the 14th of September, 1841,
the trustees of the defunct Northamp-
ton Silk Company, for twenty thou-
sand dollars, sold the estate to Joseph
Conant of Northampton, Samuel L.
Hill of Windham (Willimantic), Con-
necticut, William Coe and George W.
Benson, both of Brooklyn, Connecti-
cut.
The next step was to draw up the
declaration of principles and articles of association, which was probably
done by Prof. Adam and David Mack, and on the fifteenth of February,
1842, the following preliminary circular, stating the object and aim of
the proposed association, was sent out. It was printed on two sides of
an eight by ten inch sheet, and space was left at the close for the names
of subscribers for shares in the stock company.
GEORGE W. BENSON.
From daguerreotype taken about 1845.
NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION OK EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY. 69
PRELIMINARY CIRCULAR.
When existing institutions arc found inadequate to promote the further
progress of society, it becomes the duty of those who perceive the necessity of
reform, to associate together upon principles, in their opinion, the best calculated
to fulfill the designs of God in placing man in this life. Among those designs
are believed to be the progressive culture and high development of all the pow-
ers and faculties of our nature; the union of spiritual, intellectual, and practical
attainments ; the equality of rights and rank for all, except that those stations
and pursuits should be regarded as most honorable which promote self-conquest
and the most expansive philanthropy; and the practical recognition of the
responsibility of every individual to God -^
alone in all his pursuits. These designs f^ ,. / rW \ n 1 . -,
of God demand the co-operation of man MWa^- ■ "^ '
as an essential condition, but existing
institutions of education and business do not afford it, inasmuch as they fail to
provide for the full development of the faculties of any class or individual ; rec-
ognize invidious distinctions, assigning the highest rank for other reasons than
moral worth ; establish separate and conflicting action for various kinds and
degrees of culture, skill, and labor; forbid such freedom of thinking and acting
as is required by personal accountability; sever intellectual culture from action
in such a manner as to make it barren and even subversive of moral principle;
and separate labor from speculative pursuits so as to make it drudgery, thus
causing the degradation of a necessary means of education, health, and happi-
ness. The following Articles of Association are proposed, as a means of reduc-
ing to practice the foregoing principles : —
Article I. The name and style of this association shall be The Northamp-
ton Association of Education and Industry.
Art. II. The management of the affairs and undertakings of this Association
shall be conducted by two distinct companies: 1st, a Stock Company; 2d, an
Industrial Association.
Art. III. The Stock Company shall be first formed by obtaining a subscrip-
tion of $100,000, to be paid in money or some equivalent at the option of the
Stock Directors. As soon as 550,000 are secured by 'binding subscriptions, $30,000
of which, at least, shall be paid by the first of April next, the company shall be
organized by choosing a President, Secretary and Treasurer, who together shall,
as Trustees, hold all the property of the Association in trust, until their successors
shall be appointed by the Company.
Art. IV. The President and Secretary shall sign all contracts and papers
binding the Company, and the Treasurer shall give security to the satisfaction of
the Company for the safe keeping of its money and papers ; but the Trustees
shall not have power to buy or sell, as agents of the Company, on credit.
Art. V. The Secretary shall keep a book in which copies of all the shares
shall be entered, with the names of their owners, and all interest and dividends
due thereon. No transfer of stock shall be valid unless indorsed by the Presi-
dent and Secretary ; and a copy of every transfer shall be entered on the Secre-
7°
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
tary's book. But no transfer shall be authorized for any person indebted to the
Association until security be given for the payment of his debt.
Art. VI. The Secretary shall keep account of all the property, contracts
and obligations of the Company, and of the obligations and money transactions
of each member with the Company ; and at suitable times those accounts may be
inspected by any member of the Company.
Art. VII. The Secretary shall make annually an inventory of all the prop-
erty of the Association, an adjusted statement of its pecuniary condition, and a
full settlement of its transactions with other parties and with each member of
the Company ; so that at the beginning of each year new accounts may be
opened.
Art. VIII. New stock may be raised at any time and to any amount deter-
mined by a vote of
two-thirds of the
stockholders.
Art. IX. Shares
shall be for Sioo
each, negotiable
under the restric-
tions of the fifth
Article, and shall
be entitled to an-
nual interest not
exceeding six per
cent. ; but interest
shall not be pay-
able under four
years, when the an-
nual interest and
the interest for the
four years then due
may be paid, or the
arrears may be equally divided between the next four years, at the option of the
Company.
Art. X. Interest or dividends of profits may be paid in stock or in cash, at
the option of the stockholder ; but the Company shall not be obliged to pay cash,
unless previous notice be given to the Secretary thirty days before the payment
becomes due.
Art. XI. In settling with individual members, each shall be charged with
rent of apartments furnished by the Stock Company at a reasonable rate, and
with supplies furnished by the Association at cost.
ART. XII. In stock transactions, every share shall be entitled to one vote,
provided that no one proprietor shall be entitled to more than ten votes. In the
absence of stockholders, their shares may be represented by proxies.
Art. XIII. Every certificate of stock shall contain a condition providing that
shares owned by persons not members of the Industrial Association may be bought
MEADOW STREET BRIDGE IN WINTER.
NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION OK EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY. 7 1
11. upon payment of principal and interest, by members of the Association, when
notice of such intention shall be given thirty days before the annual interest
becomes due.
Art. XIV. In making the annual settlement, the disbursements shall be
made in the following order: 1st, expenses of stock transactions and manage-
ment, including labor; 2d, expenses of supporting members of the Industrial
Association unable to earn a support, the property of such members in the stock
account being first applied as far as it will go; 3d, six per cent, on all stock ac-
tually paid in. The balance shall be divided among the members of the Indus-
trial Association in proportion to their several services in labor and talent or skill,
to be estimated by the books and reports of the Leaders of Divisions and
Subdivisions, two-thirds of said balance being awarded to labor, and one-third
to skill.
Art. XV. The Stock Directors shall determine in what manner their funds
shall be invested, and shall make such appropriations for carrying on the differ-
ent branches of business as they shall judge best, those branches being most
favored that are necessary and less attractive. They may always attend the
meetings of the Board of Directors of the Industrial Association and give their
advice, but shall not be allowed to vote.
Art. XVI. Any member expelled or choosing to withdraw, shall receive all
that is his due on the stock account, at the next annual settlement, if he give
ninety days' previous notice, and before receiving the same shall sign a full
discharge of all claims against the Company or the Association.
Art. XVII. The Stock Company when duly organized shall elect twenty
families to commence the Industrial Association. Those twenty families, together
with such families and individuals as shall be admitted members, shall elect all
subsequent members, and may expel an unworthy member.
Art. XVIII. The Industrial Association shall be organized by choosing a
Director for each branch of employment established by the Association, with the
advice of the Stock Trustees. Such Directors shall form a Board, who shall see
that suitable employment for all the members shall always be provided ; shall be
arbitrators to settle all difficulties between the Divisions or Subdivisions, or
between individuals, at the expense of the party by them decided to be in the
Autograph written Oct. 15, 1843. Autograph written March 21, 1846.
wrong, such expense being only the value of time, rooms, etc., caused by the
arbitration ; and shall fix the rate of compensation for the various employments
and ages, awarding higher compensation to the most necessary and disagreeable
rather than to the most productive. They shall manage the purchase of mate-
rials and goods for the Association and for individuals, and the sale of articles
produced or manufactured by the Association, but they shall never buy or sell on
credit.
Art. XIX. Each branch of employment shall be prosecuted by such as
72
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
choose it, who shall form a class, consisting of as many Divisions as the Directors
shall determine; each Division shall choose a Leader who shall determine the
number of Subdivisions ; and each Subdivision shall choose its Leader, who shall
keep an account of the labor and skill of each member of his Subdivision at each
time of meeting, and shall report the progress of his undertaking to the Board of
Directors annually and as often as necessary. All the Leaders of Subdivisions
I shall form a Committee for
consultation concerning
the best ways and means
of managing the business
of their Division.
Art. XX. Each Sub-
division shall determine
the manner in which their
employment shall be per-
formed, shall assign differ-
ent portions to individuals
according to their quali-
fications, and shall admit
new members, who may be
qualified, upon their appli-
cation.
Art. XXI. Each Sub-
division shall, as far as
practicable, consist of dif-
ferent sexes and ages, so
that the heavier parts may be performed by the stronger ; the lighter, by the
more delicate individuals.
Art. XXII. No charge shall be made to any member of the Association or
his family for religious or other instruction, for medical attendance or nursing
by members of the Association, or for the use of baths, public rooms, or what-
ever is provided for the general use and benefit, unless used for some private or
particular purpose.
Art. XXIII. Every man, woman, and child above the age of five years shall
have a separate account with the Association, and shall have a separate and dis-
tinct interest. The expenses and the compensation of children shall be so
arranged that the profits of their industry shall refund the cost of their support,
by the time they become admissible as members of the Association.
Art. XXIV. This Association and any of its Boards or Committees may
establish such By-laws not inconsistent with the spirit and intention of this
Declaration and of these Articles, as they may think proper, from time to time.
Art. XXV. Any of these Articles may be altered at a regular meeting of
the Association, by a majority of two-thirds of the members ; provided notice of
the proposed alteration shall be given in the manner to be prescribed in the
By-laws.
" Where sprawling frogs, in loveless key,
Sing on and on incessantly."
—James Whitcomb Riley.
NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY. 73
Broughton Meadows, Northampton, February 15, 1842.
At a meeting of the owners oi the property known as the Northampton Silk
Factory Estate, held this 15th day of February, 1X42. foseph Conant was voted
President, and William Adam, Secretary. Whereupon, it was unanimously
Resolved, That, approving of the principles and objects developed in the
preceding Declaration and Articles of Association, we, the owners of the afore-
said Estate, consisting of about four hundred and twenty acres of land; six
dwelling houses; a large brick factory, nearly new, four stories high, measuring
one hundred and twenty by forty feet, with water-wheel, gear, and shafting fit
for operation, and situated on a durable stream of water called Mill River, hav-
ing from twenty-seven to twenty-nine feet fall; a dye-house, with necessary
apparatus ; a wooden building about thirty feet square, formerly used for manu-
facturing purposes, with water-wheel, in good condition; a saw-mill; a Ray-
mond's shingle mill, with patent right secured for the town of Northampton,
capable of cutting ten thousand shingles per hour; a planing machine for plan-
ing and jointing boards, planks, and timber ; turning lathes, circular saws, etc.,
&c, together with machinery in the factory adapted to the manufacture of silk,
and sundry other articles of personal property : also a lot of pine timber, con-
taining about fifty acres, about a mile and a half from the saw-mill : — the whole
estimated to be worth about thirty thousand dollars, — are willing and ready to
place it at the disposal of the projected Northampton Association of Education
and Industry, at a fair valuation, whenever fifty thousand dollars of stock shall
be subscribed, and thirty thousand dollars paid up, as specified in the Articles
already referred to.
[Signed]
Secretary. President.
In conformity to the preceding Declaration of Sentiments and Articles of
Association, and in consideration of the foregoing proceedings of the proprietors
of the Northampton Silk Company Estate, We, the undersigned, do severally
subscribe to the Stock Company therein set forth the number of shares set
against our names, the amount of which we promise to pay as herein specified
to the Treasurer of said Company ; the said Stock property to be forever holden
and managed in all respects according to the principles and provisions of the
aforesaid Declaration and Articles.
Organization. — The circular had the desired effect, awakening an
active interest in the new venture especially in this neighborhood, and
by the first of April the amount of stock set forth in the circular as
necessary for organization had been subscribed. The charter members
were the four leaders, Adam, Benson, Mack, and Hill, together with
Joseph Conant ; Samuel Brooks from Hadley, Samuel Bottum from
74
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
Mansfield, Connecticut, Erasmus D. Hudson from Bloomfield, Connecti-
cut, Hall Judd from Northampton, Theodore Scarborough from Brook-
lyn, Connecticut, Earle Dvvight Swift and Hiram Wells from Mansfield,
Connecticut. The first item in the "Journal of the Northampton
Association of Education and Industry " is : —
At a meeting held in Broughton's Meadows, Northampton, Mass., this
eighth of April (Friday), 1842, present Joseph Conant, Erasmus D. Hudson, G.
W. Benson, Theodore Scarborough, Hiram Wells, E. D. Swift, William Adam.
The following preamble, principles, and regulations were read, discussed, and
adopted.
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS.
It is impossible to survey the present condition of the world, the institutions
of society, the general character of mankind, and their prevailing pursuits and
tendencies, without perceiving the great evils that afflict humanity, and recog-
nizing many of them as the direct consequences of existing social arrangements.
Life is with some a mere round of frivolous occupations or vicious enjoy-
ments, with most a hard struggle for the bare means of subsistence. The former
are exempted from productive labour whiie they enjoy its fruits : upon the latter
it is imposed as a task with unreasonable
severity, and with inadequate compensa-
tion. The one class is tempted to self-
indulgence, pride, and oppression : the
other is debased by ignorance and crime,
by the conflict of passions and interests,
by moral pollution, and by positive want
and starvation.
The governments of the world are sys-
tematically warlike in their constitution
and spirit, in the measures they adopt, and
in the means they employ to establish and
support their power and to redress their
real and alleged grievances, without regard
to truth, justice, or humanity; and politi-
cal parties are notoriously and character-
istically destitute of all principle except
the love of place, and the influence and emoluments which it bestows, with-
out consideration for the true advancement of society.
Religion, whose essence is perfect spiritual liberty and universal benevolence,
is prostituted into a device for tyrannizing over the minds of men by arraying
them into hostile sects, by substituting audible and visible forms for the inward
power of truth and goodness, and by rendering the superstitious fear and irre-
sponsible dictation of men paramount to the veneration and authority that
belong only to God.
For these evils, viz., extreme ignorance and poverty in immediate juxtapo-
sition with the most insolent licentiousness ; adverse and contending interests ;
OUT KOR A RIDE.
NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY'.
75
war. slavery, party-corruption, and selfishness; sectarian exclusiveness and
spiritual tyranny, society as at present constituted affords no remedy. On the
contrary, it has sprung out of these evils, is maintained by them, and has a direct
tendency to reproduce them in a constantly increasing progression ; and the
human mind is driven to the conclusion either that the Infinitely Wise and
Benevolent Creator of the world designed to produce a state of things subver-
sive of moral goodness and destructive to human happiness, which is a contra-
diction in terms; or that man, necessarily imperfect and therefore liable to err,
"LOVERS' LANE" — NORTH END.
has mistaken his path by neglecting the light which Nature and Religion were
intended to afford for the attainment of Truth and Righteousness, Purity and
Freedom.
No believer in God can doubt that it is not He who has failed in his purpose, but
man who has wandered from his true course, and after the perception of this truth
and of the insufficiency of existing institutions to correct the manifold evils of
society and promote its further progress, it is the duty of all to endeavour to dis-
cover and to adopt purer and more salutary principles, and to apply them individ-
ually and collectively to the regulation of their conduct in life. The vices of the
present form and practices of civilization are so gross and palpable that no
apology is required for the honest attempt to escape from them, even although
it should not be accompanied with the pretense of peculiar wisdom and virtue
and should not be followed by the complete success which is both desirable and
attainable. The following principles indicating dangers to be avoided, duties to
be performed, and rights to be maintained, are adopted as a bond of union and
basis of co-operation :
I. Productive labour is the duty of every human being, and every labourer
has the exclusive right of enjoying and disposing of the fruits of his labour.
II. The opportunity of self-improvement in all knowledge is the right of
every human being.
76
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
III. It is the right of every human being to express the dictates of his con-
science on religious and all other subjects, and to worship God under any form
or in any manner agreeable to his convictions of duty, not interfering with the
equal rights of others.
IV. Fair argument is the only legitimate means of controlling the opinions
or belief of another, and no praise or blame, no merit or demerit, no reward or
punishment, ought to be awarded for any opinions or belief for which every
human being is responsible to God alone.
V. The rights of all are equal without distinction of sex, color, or condition,
sect or religion.
VI. The family relation, the relation between husband and wife, and between
parents and children, has its foundation and support in the laws of nature and
the will of God, in the affections of the heart and the dictates of the under-
standing. Other and wider relations may be formed for the purposes of social
improvement, but none that are inconsistent with this which is sacred and per-
manent, the root and fountain of all human excellence and happiness.
VII. The combination of individuals and families is an evil or a good
according to the objects to which it is directed. To combine for the purpose of
inflicting an injury is evil : to combine for the purpose of protecting from injury
or conferring a benefit is good. To combine for the purposes of war, aggression,
conquest, tyranny, and enslavement is evil ; to combine for the purpose of living
in peace and amity towards all, and in the exercise of mutual benevolence and
friendly offices, is good. To combine for the purpose of spreading speculative
doctrines and ceremonial observances, forms of religious worship and discipline
is injurious to the welfare of mankind, because belief is constantly changing in
every individual mind according to the fresh accessions of light and knowledge
which it receives, and
because a fixed profes-
sion is not and cannot
be the true index of a
varying belief, and be-
cause such combina-
tions, therefore, necessa-
rily tend to produce
habits of insincerity, to
restrain freedom of
thought and expression
on the most momentous
subjects, to cause the
outward show of relig-
ion to take the place of
its practical and spirit-
ual influences, and to afford an instrument to priests and tyrants to enslave the
mind and the body. On the other hand, to combine for the purpose of coun-
teraction, within a greater or less sphere, the causes which have produced igno-
rance and vice, oppression and crime, bigotry, fanaticism and intolerance; of
LOOKING EAST ON CENTER STREET.
NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION OK EDUCATION AND INDUSTRN . 77
raising labour to its true dignity and giving to it its just rewards; of econo
mizing labour and increasing its productiveness by means of machinery, of co-
operation! and id' a wise division of the departments of industry ; of securing the
full enjoyment of liberty in thought, in word, and in action ; and of promoting
the progressive culture and full development of all the capacities of human
nature by the union of spiritual, intellectual and practical attainments, is con-
ducive to the happiness and improvement of the world, promotes the cause of
freedom, of truth and of goodness, and according to their means and opportuni-
ties is the right, the duty, and the interest of all.
Autograph written March 20, 1845.
Such are the principles and objects of the Northampton Association of Edu-
cation and Industry, and it is in the full and distinct recognition of their truth
and obligation and with the view of applying them in practice that the following
regulations are adopted : —
Note. — Articles which are the same and practically the same as those in the Preliminary
Circular are so marked. — [Editor.
I. NAME AND ORGANIZATION.
i. [Same as Article I.]
2. [Contained in Article II. |
3. The Stock Company and the Industrial Community shall be distinct from
each other in their organization, in their deliberations, and in their accounts ;
but the members of each body shall be allowed to inspect the records and
accounts both of the Industrial Community and of the Stock Company; and the
Stock Directors may attend the meetings of the Industrial Directors, and give
their advice, but shall not be allowed to vote, and the Industrial Directors may
attend the meetings of the Stock Directors, and give advice, but shall not be
allowed to vote.
4. The Association shall be organized by those persons who have paid three-
fifths of the amount of stock for which they have subscribed, and they shall choose
from their own number a President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Those officers
shall be ex officio Trustees of all the property of the Association, and members of
the Board of Stock Directors and of the Board of Industrial Directors. They
shall be chosen annually by a majority of two-thirds of the votes of actual mem-
bers ; every officer of the Stock Company and of the Industrial Community shall
be chosen annually by a like majority of each body, respectively ; and in all
cases the voting shall be by ballot.
5. The President, Treasurer, and Secretary, with four additional members
chosen from the Industrial Community, shall constitute a Board for the admis-
sion of new members, by a unanimous vote ; and two-thirds of the votes of mem-
bers of the Association at a regular meeting shall be requisite to the expulsion of
78 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
a member, the decision to be confirmed by a similar majority at the next regular
meeting.
6. [Same as Article XVI.]
II. STOCK COMPANY.
7. The Board of Directors of the Stock Company shall consist of the Presi-
dent, Treasurer, and Secretary of the Association, and of four additional mem-
bers.
8. The Stock shall be in shares of one hundred dollars each ; the Stock sub-
scription shall be open until the subscriptions shall amount to one hundred thou-
sand dollars ; and those subscribers only who have paid three-fifths of their
subscriptions shall be entitled to vote.
9. Stock may be paid in money or some equivalent, at the option of the
Stock Directors; and if a person without any capital shall be deemed eligible as a
member of the Association, and shall be desirous of subscribing stock, he shall be
permitted to subscribe for one or more shares to be paid from the proceeds of his
labour ; but he shall not be entitled to vote as a Stockholder or to receive interest
or dividends on the sum at his credit, until it shall amount to three-fifths of the
Stock which stands in his name.
10. [Contained in Article V.]
11. [Contained in Article IX.J
12. [Same as Article VIII.]
13. Children above the age of five years may hold Stock in their own names,
and may be present at the meetings of Stockholders, but they shall not vote until
they have attained the full age of sixteen years.
14. [Same as Article X.]
[Same as Article XII.]
[Same as Article XIII.]
[Contained in Article IV.]
[Contained in Article VI.]
[Same as Article VII.]
[Contained in Article XV.]
III. INDUSTRIAL COMMUNITY.
21. The Industrial Community shall be organized by individual members and
families uniting to constitute it ; by establishing distinct departments of industry ;
and by electing a Director of each department.
22. Every member of the Industrial Community may devote himself to dif-
ferent departments of industry ; and all the members belonging to any one depart-
ment shall choose from amongst themselves the Director of that department.
23. The Industrial Directors, with the President, Treasurer, and Secretary of
the Association, shall form a Board who shall provide suitable employment for all
the members, shall fix the rate of compensation for the various employments,
awarding the highest compensation to the most necessary and disagreeable, and
shall manage the purchase of materials and goods, and the sale of articles pro-
duced or manufactured, but after the actual payments of Stock shall amount to
NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY.
79
thirty-one thousand, two hundred dollars, they shall have no power, as officers
and agents ol the Community, to buy or sell on credit.
24. Children above the age of five years may become members, and be
present at the meetings of members, and may engage in the industrial pursuits of
the Community, and receive compensation for their labour ; but they shall not
vote until they have attained the full age of sixteen years.
25. The Association shall provide for the members of the Industrial Commu-
nity and their families, moral, literary, scientific, agricultural, and mechanical
instruction, medical at-
tendance, and nursing,
baths and public rooms
without charge ; but every
member shall be at liberty
to seek and procure for
himself and his family
other instruction, medical
attendance, and nursing,
at his own cost.
26. If labour in kind
or in quantity is required
which the IndustrialCom-
munity does not supply,
it may be hired for the oc-
casion at the expense of
the Association ; if the
Industrial Directors can-
not furnish constant la-
bour to members of the Community, they may labour for others for hire, the pro-
ceeds of such labour to be for the benefit of the Association ; and if any members
shall prefer employment not under the direction of the Industrial Community,
they may engage in it, with the consent of the Directors, for the benefit of the
Association.
27. [Contained in Article XXIII.]
28. Every member of the Industrial Community shall live on the lands
belonging to the Association, and shall be provided with suitable apartments ;
and in settling with individual members each shall be credited with the value of
labour performed, and charged at a reasonable rate with the rent of apartments
occupied, and at cost with articles for domestic consumption.
29. In making the annual settlement, the disbursements shall be made in the
following order: first, the wages of labour ; second, the expense of members of
the Industrial Community unable to earn a livelihood by their own labour, includ-
ing destitute widows and orphans of deceased members, the property of such
members in the Stock account being first applied as far as it will go ; third, inter-
est on Stock; and fourth, the net balance, if any, shall be divided among the
members of the Association, one-half being awarded to labour, one-fourth to skill.,
and one-fourth to capital.
RIVER I1END IN I1AKERS MEADOW.
8o
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
30. Any matter in dispute shall be decided by arbitration. The two parties
concerned shall each select an arbitrator. The two arbitrators thus selected shall
choose a third. And the three thus chosen shall constitute a Board of Arbitra-
tion, who shall in open court hear the representations and examine the witnesses
of both parties, and shall deliver a written decision, conformable to equity and
good conscience, which shall be binding without appeal, and shall be placed on
record for future reference and guidance. The arbitrators shall be compensated
for their time and labour by the Association according to a rate fixed by the
Industrial Directors.
31. The litigation in a court of law of any question in dispute between parties
belonging to the Association, either instead of having recourse to arbitration or
for the purpose of overthrowing a decision pronounced by arbitrators, shall sub-
ject the offender to expulsion.
32. The Association may establish By-laws not inconsistent with the spirit
and intention of this Constitution.
33. I Contained in Article XXV.]
The Meeting then proceeded to organize the Northampton Association of
Education and Industry by the choice of a President, Treasurer, and Secretary,
when the following persons were elected by ballot, viz., Joseph Conant, Presi-
dent ; Samuel L. Hill, Treasurer ; William Adam, Secretary.
The following persons were in like manner elected members of the Board for
the admission of new members, viz., Hall Judd, Samuel Brooks, G. W. Benson.
The following persons were in like manner elected Directors of the Stock
Company, viz.: G. W. Benson, Theodore Scarborough, E. D. Swift, D. Mack.
The meeting closed by appointing a committee of three to provide
accommodation for new members. The object and principles upon
which the association
was founded are set
forth at some length
in the above Consti-
tution and By-Laws.
The Northampton As-
sociation like Brook
Farm and Hopedale
rejected communism
as unfavorable to in-
dividuality. All three
desired honest co-op-
eration. During the first year the Northampton Association in its man-
agement differed materially from Brook Farm, inasmuch as the affairs
of the association were conducted by two distinct bodies, all financial
matters being governed by the holders of the stock, and the "Industrial
Community" having absolute control of the departments of industry.
A CURIOSITY — "AN ENDLESS KNOT."
NORTH AMP ION ASSOCIATION OF EDl'CA HON AND INDUSTRY.
Thus capital and labor were separate, and yet bound together. The
Stock Company could attend the meetings and offer advice to the Indus-
trial Community, but could not vote, and vice versa.
The second meeting was held the following day, Saturday, April
ninth. The stock directors purchased a quantity of raw silk from Mr.
Conant, a committee was
authorized to purchase ten
or twelve cows, one yoke of
oxen, six horses, swine, poul-
try, and some farming im-
plements and supplies ; three
applications for admission
were received ; and the In-
d u st r i a 1 Community ap-
pointed E. D. Swift director
of the silk department, with
instructions to begin oper-
ations on the first of May.
On April 14 the lumber,
agricultural, and mechanical
departments were organized,
and Samuel Brooks, G. W.
Benson, and Joseph Conant,
respectively, were appointed
directors. It was voted that
labor be paid by the hour
and that the Constitution be
printed. By the last of April,
a " Communit)r store " had
been fitted up, and nineteen
persons (including children)
were admitted as members.
The month of May was a
busy one for the new associa-
tion. William Adam was ap-
pointed director of the Ed-
ucational Department, and
was instructed to prepare at
the expense of the Community a course of lectures on Social Economy,
"in illustration of the principles and practices of the association." The
Industrial Community appointed a building committee of three mem-
bers ; Mr. Mack was authorized to procure information and report on
INBOARD —
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
the subject of horticulture, with a view of establishing such a depart-
ment. Oliver D. Paine was made director of the department for the
feeding of silkworms and the manufacture of raw silk.
During this month the brick building (later known as the Greenville
Cotton Factory) was fitted up and the " factory boarding house " estab-
lished. In the basement was the laundry ; on the floor above or second
story, besides two rooms given to silk manufacturing, was a room fitted
up with " bunks " in which several men slept. On the third floor at one
end was the kitchen and long dining room, and at the other end were
several sleeping rooms. The " finishing room," where the silk was
skeined and packed,
and the " Community
store " were on this
floor also. The fourth
story was divided into
sitting and sleeping
rooms for families
and single persons.
All the partitionswere
of plain boards. Mr.
and Mrs. Hiram Wells
were appointed to
take charge of the
new department, and
they were instructed
to entertain only such
boarders as the stock directors might sanction. All supplies were ob-
tained at the Community store.
The stock directors saw the need of some changes in the constitution
and therefore adopted four amendments. One stated that any officer of
the association or either department could be removed by a two thirds
vote of the body appointing him. Another provided for an annual
meeting to be held in January, and that no stockholder could vote who
failed to pay his assessments on stock subscribed. The fourth provided
for the dissolution of the association and read as follows : —
" The Trustees with the concurrence of the Stock Directors shall have the
right to sell and convey in fee simple or for other less estate any or all of the
real or personal property * * * on such terms as they shall think proper
* * * and thereupon they shall as may be voted by the Stock Directors either
re-invest the proceeds of such sale, or employ them in carrying on or extending
the Industrial pursuits of the community, or after discharging all claims against
the association divide the proceeds or any part thereof amongst the stockholders
in proportion to the amount of stock which they have respectively paid in."
BRAID MILL — FORMERLY THE COMMUNITY BOARDING HOUSE.
NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION OK EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY.
83
This declaration of trust and the other important parts of the con-
stitution were prepared by E. G. Loring of Boston, and duly examined
by Mr. Charles Forbes* of Northampton, " both gentlemen of legal
eminence." Nineteen names were added to the membership list, a ma-
jority being children.
In the month of June benches were placed in the mechanical depart-
ment, and slates, books, etc., were purchased for the " infant school " ;
a " Daily Express between Broughton Meadows and the village of North-
ampton " was established, and Mr. Hall Judd was to be credited two
REAR VIEW OF BRAID MILL — ORIGINAL COMMUNITY BUILDING IS SHOWN IN CENTER.
hours a day, and more if necessary, to attend to this duty. Members
who employed his services were charged on the following scale :
"One cent per letter, one-half a cent per newspaper, two cents for an
errand or message or small purchase, and six cents for any commission
or business in which the use of a wagon is required." Implements of
husbandry to the amount of $1,576 were purchased ; the question of
remuneration of labor was left to be determined by the directors at the
end of the year with reference " to the actual nature, usefulness and
value of the labor performed by each member " ; and the following
rules governing the boarding house were adopted : —
" 1st. All the boarders are required to retire to their sleeping apartments for
the night at one half past nine o'clock, and to extinguish their lights at ten o'clock.
* Donor of Forbes Library.
84
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
" 2d. It is left exclusively to the discretion and judgment of the superintend-
ents of the Boarding House to make provision for the table and generally for the
comfort and convenience of the boarders, and in the event of any dissatisfaction of
the boarders they are requested to first make known their wishes to the super-
intendents, and, finally, if necessary, to the Board of Industrial Directors.
" 3d. Washing is included in ' Board and lodgings' to be furnished by the
Association, but should any boarder appear at the end of the year to have occa-
sioned disproportionate expense on this account, he will be debited with the
excess.
" 4th. Mending is not included in boarding and lodging, and the boarders are
left to provide for their own wants in this respect, either through the Department
of Domestic Economy, in which the charges will be as moderate as will compen-
sate for the labour, or in any other way that may be preferred."
But few items of interest appear in the month of July. The board for
the admission of new members was busy investigating the credentials of
the numerous applicants
for membership; the
charge to the members for
using the daily express was
discontinued ; S. L. Hill
was made assistant direc-
tor of the silk manufactur-
ing department ; it was
voted to rebuild the saw-
mill, and build a gristxnill ;
weekly reports were re-
quired from heads of de-
partments ; Mrs. Wells
resigned the superintend-
ence of the boarding house;
and some time was given
to investigating " Mr. Pres-
ton's machine for making
flax."
During the months of
August and September but
little of importance is
chronicled. Mr. Swift re-
signed the directorship of
his department, and E. D. Hudson was made his successor ; several
other changes in the directors of departments took place ; Henry C.
Wright of Boston was requested to undertake the agency of the associa-
ELECTRIC POWER HOUSE — MOUNTAINS IN DISTANCE.
NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY.
85
tion in England, to procure subscriptions of stock, and was offered three
percent, on the amount subscribed ; the first withdrawal from the asso-
ciation took place in the resignation of Mrs. Sally Hill.
Joseph Conant, Earle D. Swift, and Orwell S. Chaffee withdrew in
October. They had been active workers for the good of the association,
especially in the silk man-
ufacturing department,
where Mr. Swift had been
superintendent. Mr. Co-
nant's practical judgment
in business affairs and
the executive ability he
displayed as president of
the association had made
him a valuable member,
and his resignation was
a severe blow to the Com-
munity. The experiment
he feared would not
prove a financial success,
and his business tact told
him to seek a new field
that might yield better
returns. In the "Book
of Letters," the secre-
tary, William Adam, in
a letter addressed to John
Bailey, dated the six-
teenth of March, 1843,
gives the reason for the withdrawal in the following words : —
" * * * The fact is that towards the close of last year three of our mem-
bers left us, finding that they had hastily united with us, and they could or would
not merge their private interests in the general and common interest. The sepa-
ration has taken place in an amicable way. They are all three relatives, have
commenced business and purchased farms in our immediate neighborhood, have
received from us all the assistance which it has been in our power to give, and have
given us all the accommodation in their power in withdrawing their stock. They
are men of good private character as the world goes, but their object in joining us
appears to have been from the first, pecuniary advantage, not moral improvement,
or social usefulness, and we all feel that their departure has strengthened instead
of weakened us."
"A NEW ENGLAND FARMER."
86
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
The three members referred to purchased Enoch Jewett's farm, which
included the house, shop, and water power, and began at once to erect a
silk mill, which now forms the western end of " Leonard's Mill."
The association quickly recovered from the temporary embarrass-
ment caused by losing these members. Owing to the frequent resig-
nations of those appointed superintendents of the boarding house,
on October fifteenth the families and individual members residing there
appointed David Mack, Maria Mack, and Nancy Richardson a committee
" to superintend and control the domestic arrangements of the house."
Edward Vallentine, an English dyer, had heretofore done all the work in
this line, but he was not a member, and the association wanted some one
of their number to do this work, so they agreed to pay him one hundred
dollars to " instruct James D. Atkins in the art of dyeing silk," and the
contract was signed October twenty-second. For eight years Mr. Atkins
had been a stereotyper at the University Press, Cambridge, where the
constitution of the association had been taken to be printed. In this
way his attention was called to the Community, and, thinking favorably
of the experiment, he came to Florence and was admitted as a member.
The board for the admission of new members for the last three
months had been busy considering applications, and, although many
were declined, a goodly number were accepted. Before the year closed
a cutlery department was started, and the making of boots and shoes
begun.
SOUTH MAIN STREET PARK.
CHAPTER IX.
NORTHAMPTON ASSOC " I ATION. — ( 'ontinued.
The Years 1843, '844. 1845, ^46, 1847. — Causes of the Dissolution.
List. — Notes.
Membership
Soon after the association started, the vital question of the remunera-
tion of labor had come up for discussion, and the members had voted to
leave this till the end of the year. At a meeting of the Industrial
Directors, held the sixteenth of January, 1840, this matter was decided
after many ballots had been cast, as shown by the following item taken
from the secretary's book : —
" Resolved, That the labour of members of the Community during the past
year, shall be remunerated in the following manner, namely: — those under
twelve years of age at the rate of one cent per hour, above twelve and under six-
teen years of age at the rate of three cents per hour, above sixteen and under
twenty years of age at the rate of four cents and one-half per hour, and above
twenty years at the rate of six cents per hour."
The first annual meeting of the asso-
ciation was advertised for the eighteenth
of January, but, as some departments
were not ready to report, it was post-
poned two days. As many matters came
up for consideration, the meetings were
adjourned from day to day, and the an-
nual meeting did not end till the first of
February. However, the amount of
business transacted was proportionate
to the number of meetings. When the
association was started in April, 1842,
the leaders were unacquainted with the
task of directing a " Community," and,
as a natural consequence, many of the
regulations intended to govern the work-
ing of the association after a trial of nine
months had proved impracticable. These
objectionable features came up for consideration at the annual meet-
ing, and after many days of earnest discussion, in which nearly all the
members took part, numerous amendments to the constitution were
adopted, and a code of by-laws added. While these changes did not
make the object of the association any different from the original
GEORGE W. BENSON.
Photograph taken in 1S66.
05 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
design of the founders, and while the principles as set forth in the pre-
amble remained the same, the new constitution was a radical departure
in respect to regulations governing the privileges of stockholders and
non-stockholders. Several extracts from replies sent by the secretary
to inquiries from abroad will not only give the gist of these amend-
ments, but will tell us how they were regarded by the members.
" Fei;. 27, 1843.
"To Henry G. Wright, Lynn, Mass. :
" Last year labour and capital held joint sway. This year, trs an experiment,
labour has exclusive control. * * * All this is exceedingly bad and imperfect.
Come and judge for yourself. We do not claim to be perfect, and everything is
open to the candid inquirer."
To Moses K. Meader, same date, Mr. Adam writes : —
"* * * The person who gave you the information that the amendment of
the Constitution recently adopted makes the object of the Association very dif-
ferent from the original design, is, in the opinion of a large majority of the asso-
ciation, widely mistaken ; the amendment in their view directly tending to carry
out that design more fully, to invest the whole body of the members with equal
rights and powers, to unite them in co-operative industry, and to give them a
common interest in the produce of their labour. To show this I should wish to
send you a copy of the new regulations but it would occupy more space than
this sheet would afford and I therefore will give the substance in the form of an
abstract.
" 1st. This regulation merges the Stock Company and the Industrial Com-
munity into one, and gives every member, whether stockholder or labourer, only
one vote.
" 2nd. This provides for the election of the Directors by the Community
at large in public meeting.
"3rd. This provides that members and their families shall receive lodging,
necessary furniture, fuel, oil, and clothing at the common expense, in addition to
what is provided by Article 29th of the first constitution.
" 4th. This provides that after payment of all expenses and charges at the
end of the year, one-fourth of the net profits shall be divided equally among all
the members, and the remaining three-fourths shall constitute an Association
Fund.
" 5th. This abolishes the Board or Committee for the admission of new
members and gives the power of admitting members to the whole community.
"6th. This restricts the right of voting to those over eighteen years of age.
"7th. This pledges able bodied and healthy members to ten hours labour
per day.
" These are all the new regulations, and I would remark on the fourth that
instead of dividing only one-fourth, some wish that the remaining three-fourths
also should be divided equally among the members, but this has not been fully
resolved on, although it is probable that it will be adopted before the close of
NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY, 89
the year. You will judge for yourself whether there is any departure from the
original design."
Mr. Conant's resignation had left the office of president vacant, and
at the annual meeting Mr. Mack was chosen to succeed him. Mr. Adam
was re-elected secretary, and Mr. Hill treasurer. The reports of the
directors of different departments showed that the past year had been
a successful one. It was voted to have eleven departments, and the
work of each was defined in detail to avoid any clashing among the
parts of the great machine. The duties assigned to each department
and the names of the directors and their assistants are given below : —
"I. Agricultural Department, including all farming operations, and all
standing wood and timber. Theodore Scarborough, Director. E. D. Hudson.
Assistant Director in Horticulture.
" 2. Lumber Department, including sawing lumber, cutting shingles, care of
lumber yard, and sale of lumber. G. W. Benson, Director.
WEST ON MAIN STREET — NEAR OIL-GAS STOVE WORKS.
" 3. Silk Manufacturing Department, including the manufacture of Silk and
Flax, and the direction of the machine shop. E. L. Preston, Director.
"4. Cutlery Department, including all kinds of blacksmithing and cutlery.
H. Wells, Director.
" 5. Mechanical Department, including all carpentry, the planing machine,
and the manufacture of shoes. W. F. Parker, Director.
"6. Silk Growing Department, including the culture of mulberry trees, the
feeding of silk-worms, and the reeling of cocoons. O. D. Paine; Director.
" 7. Domestic Department, including the providing of females with work,
the superintendence and care of domestic labour and of the community board-
9°
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
ing house. Roxie Brown, Director. Nancy Richardson, Assistant Director of
the Table. S. L. Hill, Assistant Director of the Household.
"8. Store Department, including the purchase and sale of supplies and the
care of the Daily Express. Hall Judd, Director.
"9. Accountant's Department, including charge of the book and accounts
of the Association. W. Larned, Director.
" 10. Educational Department, including the direction of the studies,
labours, and amusements of all members under the age of eighteen, in consulta-
tion with parents, guardians, teachers, and industrial directors. W. Adam,
Director.
"11. Secretarial Department, including charge of the correspondence of
the Association, keeping copies of letters sent and recording the transactions of
all business meetings. W. Adam, Director. (J. W. Benson, Financial Assistant
in the Treasurer's Department,"
During the closing winter months the members were busy perfecting
the organization of the " Community," as it had come to be called. The
new regulations pro-
vided for the clothing
of the members, and
the sixth of February,
in accordance with this
provision, it was voted
that for the year 1843
twenty dollars should
be allowed to all mem-
bers over eighteen
years old; fourteen
dollars for those be-
tween the ages of four-
teen and eighteen ; ten
dollars for those be-
tween ten and fourteen
years ; eight dollars
tor those between six and ten years ; and live dollars for children under
six years old.
The allowance for board was fixed at the rate of eighty cents per
week for all members over ten years old, and forty cents per week for all
under that age. This was the expense of board at the "Community
House" and included fuel, oil, and rent, and no charge was made for
labor which was furnished by the association.
The spring opened with bright prospects, and the founders thought
that at last their ideals were to be realized. A lyceum and book club
were organized and a reading room fitted up in the factory building.
A COMMUNITY HOUSE. — WHERE WM. ADAM LIVED.
NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY.
91
The old oil mill was turned into a gristmill, and a cocoonery one hun-
dred feet long by twenty live feet wide was elected near what is now
the junction of Park and Pine streets. Applications for membership
came flowing in from all parts of the country. A personal acquaintance
with the applicant was necessary for admission, and to make this regula-
tion practical those who lived at some distance from Northampton were
invited to visit the association for a few days. Sometimes applicants
were asked to reside in the community for two, six, or twelve months, on
probation as it were, during which time they received board and lodging
in return for the labor they gave the association. If at the end of this
time both parties were satisfied, the probationary members became
regular ones.
Mr. Adam, as secretary, wrote to an inquirer : " The result of one
year's experience has been on the whole satisfactory to all concerned,
and although much
pressed for capital
we are advancing
into the second
year with increased
energy and spirit."
In another letter, in
a n s w e r to the
question, " W h a t
branches of busi-
ness are in oper-
ation ? " he . says,
" We cultivate a
farm, we sell lum-
ber and shingles,
we grow silk and
manufacture it.
We havev amongst
us teachers for the
instruction of our
children, blacksmiths, carpenters, masons, and shoemakers. *
need a wheelwright, a machinist, a bootmaker and a baker."
On the twenty-second of April Mr. Mack resigned the presidency, " in
order that more complete and satisfactory arrangements might be
effected," as the secretary's report reads. Mr. Adam also tendered his
resignation as secretary and director of the Educational Department-
Mr. Benson was chosen president and Mr. Mack assumed the duties
heretofore assigned to Mr. Adam.
" Wliile firmer ice the eager boy awaits.
Trying each buckle and strap beside the fire."
We
Q2
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
An extract from another letter gives us these items. " We number
thirty men above the age of eighteen ; twenty-six women, with six more
hired to work in our silk room ; forty-six children under the age of eight-
een. We have but a feeble commencement of a library and reading
room, but have raised some more than one hundred dollars for these
purposes. * * * Our baths are yet /'/; the river, and of course open to
all."
On the first of June the report of the silk department showed a profit
of $105.82 for the last six months. The director, E. L. Preston, resigned,
and James Stetson was appointed in his stead. During the next few
NORTH FROM COSMIAN TOWER.
months much time in the meetings was taken up by discussing minor
matters, and a committee was appointed to draft a new constitution. The
new secretary, Mr. Mack, in a letter dated July 22, writes as follows
regarding this document : —
>< * * * j ought t0 say, however, that all our members are not satisfied with
the modifications, and that there exists among us quite a difference of opinion
as to the propriety of continuing the modifications permanently, or of returning
to the provisions of the Constitution, though I cannot persuade myself that we
shall again ever consent to give votes to dollars. Our experience has taught us
some important lessons : That it is highly important to select members who are
more interested in realizing the undertaking of the Association, especially their
moral and social undertakings, than in making money; that to commence in
debt is very bad, as expenses must multiply for some time and returns must be
small ; that full power to manage the various departments of industry and busi-
ness should be submitted to the persons chosen to conduct them, and that they
be not always liable to be called upon for explanation, reports, etc., and that
NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION OF KDl'CATION AND INDUSTRY.
93
experiments in business be postponed until they can be tried without involving
the risk of serious embarrassment."
On September ninth the new Articles of Association and By-Laws
were formally adopted. These were practically the same as those which
had been in force since January. It seems that the stockholders, as a
body, had not accepted these modifications of the original constitution,
and at a meeting held on the thirtieth of September no decision was
reached. The following protest copied from the record book explains
Mr. Adam's position : —
" Northampton, September 30, 1843.
" The meeting of the Stockholders of the Northampton Association, of which
the present meeting is an adjournment, having been the first that was held this
year, and the first consequently at which I
have had an opportunity of expressing my
judgment as a Stockholder of the proceed-
ings of the present year, I avail myself of
the present occasion to record my dissent
in the most formal manner, and in the
above-mentioned capacity, to certain of
their proceedings.
" I protest against the changes that have
been made in the Constitution as contrary
to the constitution of the Association, as
illegal, or contrary to the law of the land ;
and as immoral or contrary to the plain-
est principles of justice and honesty.
" I protest, in particular, as a direct vio-
lation of the constitution of law and of
morality, against the assumption, whether
by individual members of the association
holding office, or by the Industrial Com-
munity in their associated capacity, of the
power to appropriate the funds of the
Association for any purposes whatsoever,
without the sanction either of a regular
vote of the Stockholders, or of the Di-
rectors appointed by them as their repre-
sentatives."
( Signed)
"W. ADAM." DR. JAMES BOYLE.
The amended constitution was adopted by the stockholders October
28th, and the question was settled for the time being. The funds of the
association were limited, and in November an effort was made to raise a
subscription of twenty-five thousand dollars. James Boyle, as agent, was
instructed to undertake this task and to lecture and hold conventions in
94
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
the middle and eastern counties of the state. Mr. Mack and Mr. Benson
were to co-operate with Mr. Boyle, the former being assigned the central
and western portions of New York state. Mr. Adam was sent to New
York city and Philadelphia to make arrangements with a publisher to
print a literary article for the benefit of the association.
THE YEAR 1844.
The new year opened with the resignation of William Adam. He had
never been satisfied with the changes in the constitution, as was shown
by his letters and protest. At the second annual meeting the old board
of officers was elected, but the financial standing of the association was
not all that could be desired. In June Mr. Benson made a proposition
to purchase the stock and property of the association at cost, and to
assume all the liabilities, but the members were not ready to disband,
and after a heated discussion Mr. Benson's proposition was rejected.
This year seems to have been a quiet, peaceful one in the life of the
association. The organization had proved efficient, and the differences
arising between indi-
vidual members were
easily settled, and har-
mony generally pre-
vailed. The unique
character of the asso-
ciation naturally at-
tracted persons who
had never been able
to earn a living under
ordinary conditions,
as well as those who
joined from higher
motives than simply
to gain a subsistence,
consequently the work was sometimes unequally shared. At one time
the washing of the clothes belonging to the blacksmiths and farm labor-
ers was assigned to a member, after others of greater physical strength
had refused to do it. The complaint was made that a shirt was not
washed clean, and the accused said, " If would change his shirts
more frequently, it would be easier to wash several less soiled ones than
- is so
ELECTRIC CAR I-SARNS.
one which had lasted a week," whereupon the reply was, "Ah ! -
stuck up now, I don't know what I should do with him with more than
one clean shirt a week."
But hardships were endured without much grumbling, and the mem-
NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION OK EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY.
95
bers labored as they never had before. One of them worked one and a
half years and received in return board and lodgings, one calico dress,
one pair of slippers, and one dollar and fifty cents in cash. Notwith-
standing these unpleasant features, the members who still survive
remember only the bright side of their life in the old association.
The Educational Department deserves more than a slight notice.
William Adam was its first director, and he was ably assisted by Mr. and
Mrs. Mack, who afterward succeeded Mr. Adam. Sophia Foorde was
also one of the teachers. Many parents sent their children to the asso-
ciation, and these " boarding scholars " were required to work as well as
study. At one time, the forenoon from seven to twelve o'clock was
BRIDGE AT COOK'S DAM.
devoted to study, and the afternoon from one o'clock to sunset was
given to manual labor. Later, more time for labor was deemed neces-
sary, and the older scholars worked all day and studied in the evening.
The tuition for boarding scholars was one hundred dollars per annum,
which included everything save clothing, books, and stationery. A
pupil received instruction in the mechanical and agricultural arts, sci-
ence, and literature. In Mrs. Mack's class of girls were : Mary A. Rich-
ardson, Sarah F. Stetson, Emily Brigham, Louisa Hill, Harriet Hubbard,
Helen Adam, Anna Benson, Esther, Clara and Mary Cone, and a daughter
of Josiah Hayward. Among the boys may be mentioned Horatio and
Giles B. Stebbins, now both well known clergymen.
The old oil mill was now a gristmill, first floor, above was a shoe-
maker's shop, and in the basement a bath room was fitted up. Mr. and
96 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
Mrs. James Atkins remember hearing the scholars at four o'clock on
winter mornings with lanterns in hand on their way to the bath house,
where the ice in the tubs had to be broken before the morning bath
could be taken.
At this time many noted men visited Florence. William Lloyd Gar-
rison and wife spent several summers here. Wendell Phillips, George
Thompson, and Henry C. Wright, and others of like stamp, addressed the
Sunday meetings, which were held in summer under the gigantic "old
pine " tree. When winter came the company assembled in the dining room
of the factory building. Sojourner Truth, the African sibyl, could hold an
audience spellbound, and her singing always brought forth applause.
She was chief laundress of week days, and Mr. Atkins says he used to
help her wring out the clothes on Mondays when work in his department
was dull.
Social life was unconventional and free, running to the verge of pro-
priety, but never beyond. The marriage and family relations were held
sacred, and, notwithstanding reports to the contrary, no scandal ever
occurred within the association fold. Many applied for membership this
year, but the accommodations were already crowded and only enough
were received to fill the places left vacant by those withdrawing.
All had not been accustomed to hard manual labor, and it is no
wonder that some made better teachers than Community farmers. At
one time a new gate for the pasture was needed, and Dr. Hudson and
Professor Adam spent several evenings drafting elaborate plans for the
new structure, only to abandon them all finally and decide to make the
new one like the old.
This anecdote is equaled only by an incident which happened at a
"candy pull" at the factory boarding house. Everything went smoothly
until Professor Adam found the candy clinging closer and closer to his
hands, and not knowing how to get it off he went rushing around the
room with open hands and outstretched arms.
From sixty-five to eighty took their meals at the common table, and
nearly this number found shelter under the factory roof. The other
members occupied the seven houses owned by the association, which were
distributed as follows : The Benson house at the junction of Maple
and Nonotuck street ; the Adam house on Nonotuck street, later known
as "No. 10," and in recent years occupied by Major Angell ; the "old
silk mill boarding house " ; Josiah White's cottage, which stood just west
of the boarding house ; the Mack house on the other side of the bridge,
north of Spring street ; the Ross homestead and Gaius Burt's cottage,
both near the Meadow street bridge.
NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION OF KI H'iATION AND INIU'STRV.
97
TIIK vf.ar
1845-
Extracts from a letter addressed to Abner Sanger, Danvers, Mass.,
give us the condition of affairs at the opening of the year. The letter
was evidently written by Mr. Hill, and was signed by the executive
council, and the department directors.
" * * * We are not at all discouraged or disheartened at the withdrawal of
' those friends who joined us with ardent hopes, and soon left us,' for we have
found they were not prepared for the great
sacrifices (so called), the labours and trials to
which we are called, and their absence proves
a relief rather than disappointment, but we
are aware that their withdrawal may tend to
weaken confidence abroad in the success of our
enterprise, and that in some instances at least
they have used their influence to injure our
credit. * * * There is a mutually good un-
derstanding between us. and we have full con-
fidence in each other, and in our ability to
transact here a profitable business. We are
determined to prosecute our enterprise to suc-
cess if possible. * *
" We rind the gross earnings of the Associ-
ation for the year 1844, 57,361.19, an amount
covering the estimated cost of living for the
year, with interest and expenses, and that a
great proportion of that sum, say at least $5,-
000, was earned the last six months.
" In the result of past exertions, and in the
increasing advantages for business, we feel that
we have a guaranty of future success, and, un-
less we are cramped for means to do with, the
result of another year must be triumphantly
decisive and cheering. * * " J
The third annual meeting of the association was held on January
twenty-third, and lasted several days. The influence exerted by "dis-
affected members," who had withdrawn, was given as the cause of the
failure to raise the twenty-five thousand dollars stock subscription, and
many members expressed the opinion that " perhaps the best interests of
the association had been as much forwarded by our disappointment in
this respect as they would have been by obtaining the end proposed."
As the various department reports were read, many complaints were
heard regarding the management, and explanations were called for.
Some time before, a new regulation had been adopted which gave the
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
members the privilege of criticising one another as to conduct or habits
and shortcomings, and might be called a " mutual criticism system."
This provided for an officer named the " Intendant of Order," and he
was required " to suggest to every one connected with the association
the proper care and arrangement of the property or business of the
association, and' to persevere in such suggestions until they were
attended to. * * * It was expressly understood that the Director
had no power authoritatively to interfere in the business of any depart-
ment." The first one to hold this office was Elisha L. Hammond, who
received his appointment on the eighteenth of January. Benson, Mack,
and Hill were re-elected president, secretary, and treasurer respectively,
and the annual meeting closed by adopting a set of by-laws providing
for regular reports on the time each member had worked ; rendering indi-
vidual accounts quarterly ; dividend made equally to all members in
proportion to time worked ; and some minor matters.
Early in January the Gazette
printed an advertisement
which stated that the Asso-
ciation was prepared to saw
lumber ; that " Woodworth's
patent planing machine" soon
would be in operation ; that
the gristmill did a general
milling business ; that the
association would make boots
and shoes, augers, bits, chis-
els,etc., and would shoehorses
and oxen ; that it had a press for cutting nuts, washers and sawmill
saws ; and that a German dyer would color dresses, shawls and stockings,
wool, cotton or linen.
To accommodate the increasing number of those desiring to live at
the boarding house, several changes were made in the arrangements at
the brick factory. The kitchen was removed to the basement, the din-
ing room occupied a large room in the second story, a dumb waiter
running up from the kitchen below, and the space thus gained on the
third story was utilized for additional sleeping rooms. The new dining
room was dedicated March tenth, 1845.
On the thirty-first of May, Mr. Benson, as president, and Mr. Mack,
as secretary, resigned. Joseph C. Martin was elected president, and
Hall Judd took Mr. Mack's place. In June negotiations were com-
menced relative to starting the manufacture of cotton in the factory
building. Mr. Benson was to form a stock company and purchase the
A HIGH STREET HOUSE.
NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION OK EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY
99
factory, and in this way the association hoped to liquidate part of its
debt, which steadily increased in size until now it threatened the life of
the association. By the last of July the contract was signed, and the
new company was to take possession
in October. To take the place of
the brick factory, the association be-
gan the erection of a wooden build-
ing near their sawmill, which stood
near the present " round house" of the
Nonotuck Silk Company. Three years
of toi! and struggle had had its effect
on some of the members. The pros-
pect of success seemed farther away
than ever, and on September fifth
David Mack and family withdrew from
the association. Broken down in
health, he repaired to Brattleboro, and
sought recuperation at Woesselheft's
water cure. Mr. Mack, one of the
founders, had always been a pillar of
the association. His resignation was
followed by that of Mr. Benson, who
withdrew October first to devote his
energies to the cotton enterprise.
Thus three of the leaders had left, but
new men had joined who put their
shoulders to the wheel with renewed
vigor. Among these may be men-
tioned Hall Judd, Joseph C. Martin,
William F. Parker, James A. Stetson, James D. Atkins, and E. L. Ham-
mond.
THE LAST YEAR.
The fourth annual meeting was held on January twenty-eighth.
Martin, Judd, and Hill were re-elected executive council, and several new
members were received. It was voted to allow sixty dollars per annum
for the subsistence of every member over eighteen years of age, forty
dollars for those between ten and eighteen years, and twenty dollars for
those under ten years old. It was also voted that two thirds of each
person's dividend of the net profit should be invested as permanent stock
of the association.
The spring passed without any unusual incidents in the life of the
association. The membership list had diminished somewhat, but those
TOBOGGAN CHUTE — WINTER 1886-S7.
IOO HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
who remained displayed unswerving loyalty to the cause they sought to
promote. Extracts from a letter penned by Bailey Birge in reply to an
applicant for admission tell us how practical this body of reformers had
become.
" We are in debt, and are obliged to work for our bread, and the compensation
for labor is no more than food, raiment, and lodging, which I take it is all any
man can have in this life. Our sources of pleasure are found in seeing our busi-
ness prosper, and finding our brethren contented, cheerful, and industrious.
With regard to the number of hours that our members labor, they are gov-
erned by the same rules that govern all who are anxious to do the most they
can to promote their own interest, thereby promoting the interest of all. Your
queries I will answer in detail.
"i. 'Is the divine art of music, " the soul of religion," as you are pleased to
call it (though why I cannot perceive), cultivated among you ? and to what
extent?' — Answer. Every member is allowed to cultivate this ' divine art ' to
any extent he or she pleases, provided it does not interfere with the daily duties
and calls which our circumstances require from them. We have singing in great
abundance. The birds about us sing. The girls in the factory sing, sometimes
singly, at other times in duet and trio, making sweet melody ; at other times all
striking different tunes ; then the melody is not so sweet. Every one sings who
pleases. We have very few musical instruments among us. One lady has a
piano, and one of our hired men had a fiddle, but, as I have not heard it lately, I
do not know but he has disposed of it.
" 2. 'Are there many well educated persons among you ? ' — Answer. None
to boast of.
" 3. ' What is the state of moral and intellectual cultivation ? ' — Answer.
We all mean to behave well, and so teach our children. Our intellects are mostly
exercised in contriving ways and means to earn a livelihood and to pay our debts.
" 4. ' What arts and trades are pursued by the members, and can a proba-
tioner take hold of any occupation he likes best ? ' — Answer. One member is a
mason, one a blacksmith, one a ioiner, one a shoemaker, one a miller, one a store-
keeper and bookkeeper, one an overseer in silk factory, and a few do little in the
way of labor, but see to providing ways and means, and stand ready to wait upon
the working men and women, running hither and thither upon their call, so that
they are not obliged to drop their work to wait upon themselves. These we call
our Executive. * * *
" 6; ' Of what religious sect are your members ? ' — . Insiver. ( )t no particular
sect. Each one is at liberty to choose his own.
" 7. ' Is the location of the place agreeable or otherwise ? ' — Answer. About
si > so. Not remarkable either way.
"8. ' Is the intercourse of the different members with each other harmonious
and agreeable ? ' — Answer. About as is usual in good neighborhoods.
" 9. ' Do you consider the community a suitable and advantageous situation
for the moral, physical, and intellectual development of the man ?' — Answer. If
you allude to our association, 1 should say not for a man of your ' turn of mind,'
and therefore cannot advise you to come.''
NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY.
PICTURESQUE BARN IN THE MEADOW.
The summer came and went, but brought no relict" to their strait-
ened financial condition. The association was hopelessly in debt. As a
matter of fact, only about twenty thousand dollars had ever been sub-
scribed. This amount was
paid for the property, and
from the beginning money
had been borrowed to conduct
the business. As disaffected
members withdrew their stock,
matters grew worse. In April,
1844, only $17,000 was invest-
ed, and the debt was $30,000.
By the thirty-first of July,
1845, the figures had reached
$39, 1 96, about $25,000 of winch
was in the form of a permanent loan. In June, 1846, part of the debt
was lifted by the Bensonville Manufacturing Company buying the brick
factory, together with one hundred acres of land, but the erection of a
new mill and the running expenses for the last year had kept the liabili-
ties near the forty thousand dollar mark. Dissolution was near at hand.
The following quotations from the secretary's book explain themselves : —
"Regular Monthly Meeting. September 26, 1846. Met at J. C. Martin's.
The president in the chair. There being no business before the meeting, there
was a general conversation among the members about the business, prospects,
etc., of the Association, and many were of the opinion that it was best to dis-
solve, as we were deeply in debt, and no prospect of there being any more stock
taken up, which was the only thing that could relieve us, as our earnings were
not large, and those members who had left us, whose stock was due, were calling
for it. etc. Some spoke of the want of harmony and brotherly feeling which
were indispensably necessary to the success of such an enterprise. Others spoke
of the unwillingness to make sacrifices, to retrench and economize, on the part
of some of the members; also the lack of industry and the right appropriation
of their time ; also the apparent unwillingness of some of the parents to have
their children labor as much as our circumstances seemed to require they should,
and the indifference to the same thing, on the part of others. After a pretty full
discussion of the matter, the meeting adjourned."
"At an informal meeting held at J. C. Martin's, Nov. 7, 1846, the Executive
Council stated that, in view of all the circumstances of the Association, they had
decided upon a dissolution of the several departments as at present organized,
and should proceed to close the affairs of the Asson in accordance with the
tenth article as soon as practicable ; and that no allowances for subsistence of
members would be made after Now 1. 1846.
"HALL JUDD, Secy."
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
Thus the association ended. Mr. Hill assumed its liabilities, sold
parts of the estate, and contirtued the silk business. The members
scattered, some remaining in Florence, where they have been known for
their honesty, sobriety, good morals, and industry and zeal in working
for public improvements.
CAUSES OF DISSOLUTION.
It has been claimed that the system of " mutual criticism " was the
rock upon which the association split. This system was instituted, hop-
ing that it would tend to the mental and spiritual growth of the mem-
bers. The criticisms
were to be made in
a spirit of brotherly
love, no offense being
intended, and to be
received in a spirit of
meekness and with a
desire for improve-
ment. While the crit-
icisms may always
have been in the right
spirit, some did not
receive them with due
humility, and dissen-
sions arose, the of-
fended ones seeking
relief by withdrawing from the association, and removing from the local-
ity. This system may have caused the resignation of some members,
but it is extremely doubtful if it was the chief factor in bringing about
the final dissolution. To quote the words of Samuel L. Hill : "The last
two or three years of the association were decidedly pleasant and profit-
able to its members, except pecuniarily ; they acquired a mutual famil-
iarity with, and confidence in, each other, enabling them to speak plainly
of errors and faults without the presence of anger, and to discuss calmly
and candidly any differences of opinion upon religious or other sub-
jects."
This statement from one of the leaders, who remained a member to
the end, seems to indicate that the "mutual criticism system " was not
so powerful a disintegrating element as some would have us believe.
Had the association started on a better financial basis, unincumbered
by a large loan, and with means sufficient to extend its business, the
experiment might have resulted very differently.
THE PAUL STRONG TAVERN TO-DAY.
NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION OT' EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY.
103
But though dissensions among members and financial embarrassment
contributed their share to the final result, we may reasonably conclude
that the failure was largely due to the fact that the world was not ready
for the experiment. The members of the Northampton association
were earnest men and women. They set themselves a lofty ideal of
social and industrial life, of human brotherhood, and through four long
years struggled to overcome the many obstacles that beset their path,
enduring many hardships and privations. Although they were finally
forced to abandon their experiment, it must be admitted that they did
not wholly fail.
MEMBERSHIP LIST.
The system adopted by the association of admitting members on
probation accounts for the apparent errors in the list below, which is
copied from the book kept by the secretary. People often resided in the
community for a year before being admitted as regular members. Dur-
ing the last twelve months the-^ecretary did not take very great pains to
enter names and withdrawals7"and in some cases these have been supplied
from the other records.
NAMES.
William Adam, wife, 4 children,
James D. Atkins,
George Ashley,
George Benson, wife, 4 children,
*Frances P. Birge,
Samuel Brooks, wife, 7 children,
Samuel A. Bottum, wife,
tRoxey A. Brown,
James Boyle, wife,
Wm. J. Bumstead, wife, 3 children,
Luther Brigham, 4 children,
Susan Byrne,
William Bassett, wife, 4 children,
Cyrus Bradbury,
Elizabeth Ely Bradbury,
Sarah Elizabeth Bradbury,
Bailey Birge, wife, 3 children,
Joseph Conant, wife,
Orwell S. Chaffee, wife, 1 child,
George Cooper,
|Octavia M. Damon,
Sophia Foorde,
Emily Farwell,
FROM.
Cambridge,
Old Cambridge,
Chaplin, Ct.,
Brooklyn, Ct.,
Colebrook, Ct.,
Hadley,
Mansfield, Ct.,
Bloomfield, Ct.,
Boston,
Bloomfield, Ct.,
Worcester,
Willimantic, Ct.,
Lynn,
Boston,
Colebrook, Ct.
Mansfield, Ct,
Chesterfield,
Dedham,
Cambridge,
April 8, 1842.
Sept. 28, 1842.
Jan. 13, 1844.
April 8, 1S42.
May 28, 1842.
April 9, 1842.
April 8, 1842.
Nov. 12, 1842.
June 5, 1842.
Nov. 16, 1842.
Nov. 29, 1843.
Nov. 4, 1843.
Feb. 24, 1844.
April 4, 1844.
April 4, 1844.
April 4, 1844.
Jan. 31, 1846.
April S, 1842.
April 24, 1842.
April 15, 1843.
Sept. 30, 1844.
April 15, 1843.
June 17, 1843.
WITHDREW.
Jan. 2, 1844.
March 6, 1847.
Dec. 28, 1845.
Oct. 1, 1845.
March, 1843.
Oct. 13, 1843.
July, 1844.
Nov. 18, 1844.
Dec. 2, 1844.
Oct. 8, 1S42.
Oct. 22. 1842.
Sept. 12, 1843.
March 6, 1847.
June 12, 1845.
* Married Hall Judd, June 1, 1842.
t Married A. R. Nickerson, June 8, 1S44.
% Married James D. Atkins, Sept. 30, 1844.
io4
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
NAMES.
Gustavus Gifford,
Rosvvell K. Goodwin,
Caroline M. Gove,
Erasmus G. Hudson, wife, 2 childien,
Rhoda Hudson,
Romulus Fowler Hudson,
Samuel L. Hill, wife, 3 children,
Sally Hill, 4 children,
Josiah Hayward, wife, 3 children,
William Haven, wife, 7 children,
Matilda Hill, 4 children,
Lucy Charlotte Hayden,
* Harriet W. Hayden,
Elisha L. Hammond, wife,
Hall Judd,
William Larned,
David Mack, wife, 2 children,
Charles May,
Abner S. Meade,
Littleton T. Morgan,
Moses K. Meader,
George W. Miller,
A. Menkin, M. D.,
Joseph C. Martin, wife, 4 children,
Lorenzo D. Nickerson,
Enos L. Preston, wife, 1 child,
William F. Parker, wife, 2 children,
Susan F. Parker,
Oliver D. Paine,
George Prindle,
Fortune R. Porter,
Lydia P>. Pierce,
Nancy Richardson, 4 childien,
David Ruggles.
Stephen C. Rush,
Lucius F. Reede,
Austin Ross, wife,
Ezra Rosbrooks,
Polly Rosbrooks,
Louisa C. Rosbrooks,
Francis O. Rosbrooks,
Three Rosbrooks children,
Theodore Scarborough, wife, 1 child,
Jason Sullaway, wife,
Pamelia Small, 1 child,
Earle Dwight Swift, wife,
Herbert Scarborough,
Mary Ann Smith,
FROM.
Nantucket,
Lynn,
Bloomfield, Ct.,
Wolcottville,
Bloomfield, Ct.,
Willimantic, Ct.,
Northampton,
Salem,
Windham, Ct.,
Willimantic, Ct.,
Path, Me.,
New Ipswich, N.H
Northampton,
Boston,
Cambridge,
Benton, Ala.,
Danvers,
Cambridge,
Nantucket,
Boston,
Chaplin, Ct.,
Boston,
Brooklyn, Ct.,
Nantucket,
Chesterfield,
New Haven, Ct.,
New York,
Waltham,
New York,
Cummington,
Chaplin, Ct.,
Cicero, N. Y.,
Brooklyn, Ct.,
Canton,
Norwich, Ct.,
Mansfield, Ct.,
Brooklyn, Ct.,
Bloomfield, Ct.,
ENTERED.
Nov. 29, 1842.
Nov. 25, 1843.
June 25, 1844.
April 8, 1842.
Feb. 1 1, 1843.
April 8, 1842.
April 8, 1842.
April 8, 1842.
March 8, 1843.
May 4, 1S43.
Jan. 13, 1844.
April to, 1844.
April 10, [844.
, May 16, 1844.
May 28, 1842
Oct. 15, 1842.
May 15, 1S42.
Jan. 13, 1843.
Dec. 6, 1842.
July 28, 1S43.
April 15, 1843.
July 22, 1843.
Jan. 13, 1844.
April 9, 1844.
April 15, 1843.
Sept. 3, 1842.
Oct. 22, 1842.
Jan. 14, 1843.
April 10, 1842.
May 13, 1S43.
Aug. 19, 1843.
Feb. 25, 1843.
Sept. 24, 1842
Nov. 30, 1842.
Nov. 4, 1843.
May 20, 1S43.
Mar. 29, 1845.
Jan. 26, 1844.
Jan. 26, 1844.
Jan. 26, 1844.
Jan. 26, 1844.
Jan. 26, 1S44.
April 8, 1S42.
April 17, 1842.
April 8, 1842.
April 8, 1S42.
Jan. 14, 1843.
Jan. 8, 1843.
WITHDREW.
Sept. 16, 1843.
May 13, 1843.
Sept. 23, 1842
July 2, 1844.
Nov. 1, 1846.
Aug. 2, 1843.
Sept. 5, 1845.
April 3, 1844.
March, 1844.
Nov., 1843.
July, 1S43.
June 16, 1845.
May, 1S45.
Jan. 31, 1844.
April 23, 1846.
Nov., 1843.
May 31, 1845.
Oct., 1S42.
* Married Sidney Soutllworth, July 3, 1844.
NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY.
I05
NAMES. FROM. ENTERED.
Calvin Stebbins, wife, 2 children, Wilbraham, May 7, 1843.
William Stearns, wife, 1 child, Waltham, March 25, 1843.
James A. Stetson, wife, 6 children, Brooklyn, Ct., April 20, 1843.
Lama Stebbins, Springfield, July 8, 1843.
George Washington Sullivan, Baltimore, Md., Nov. 3, 1843.
Sidney Southworth, Boston, Jan. 27, 1844.
George Thurber, wife, 1 child, " April 17, 1S42.
Hiram Wells, wife, 1 child, Mansfield, Ct., April 8, 1842.
Joseph S Wall, wife, Worcester, April 10, 1842.
Wm. G. Wilson, Vergennes, Vt., Feb. 4, 1843.
James Willey, Hartford, Ct., Mar 16, 1843
Lyman F. Wight, Easthampton, Aug. 19, 1S43.
Thomas Whitmarsh, Northampton, Nov. 25, 1843.
WITHDREW.
May 16, 1844.
Nov., 1843.
March 16, 1846.
Jan. 30, 1844.
Aug. 19, 1843.
Aug. 8, 1845.
July 8, 1843.
April 8, 1843.
1S43.
Dec, 1843.
Statistics : The whole number of names enrolled is two hundred and
ten. These two hundred and ten people represented eight different
QUARRY IN CHESTNUT STREET WOODS.
states, being divided as follows : Massachusetts, ninety-eight ; Con-
necticut, eighty-eight ; New York, ten; New Hampshire, three ; Maine,
two; Vermont, one ; Alabama, one ; Maryland, one ; Unknown, six.
As far as ascertained the adult members who are still living are :
Mr. and Mrs. James D. Atkins, Mr. Samuel Bottom, Mrs. Joseph C. Martin,
Mr. Austin Ross, all in Florence ; Mrs. Hiram Wells, Mittineague, Mass. ;
Mrs. A. R. Nickerson, Appleton, Wis. ; Mr. Lucius Bumstead, Colorado
Springs, Colo., aged eighty-five ; Mrs, Scarborough, Northampton, Mass. ;
io6
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
Mrs. James Stetson, Brooklyn, Conn., aged eighty-seven ; Romulus
Fowler Hudson, Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Oliver D. Payne, Youngstown, Ohio.
Notes. — Many interesting items appear in the old account books of
the association, but only a few can be given here.
" Jason Sulloway, Dr.
To horse to Springfield, .50
" Educational Department, Dr.
To cash paid Toll for the children to Mount Holyoke, .33
" Wm. L. Garrison,*
To Expense Account, Dr.
To Self & wife — Board from Aug. 17 to Sept. 19 — 9
weeks, 3 days, 12.57 "
The following items show the cost of articles at the Community
store : —
"Sam A. Bottum, Dr.
To I doz. eggs at 10 c ,
" Mary Ann Smith, Dr.
To 1 Back Comb,
" David Mack, Dr.
To 50 Herring at ± c,
"Geo. A. Hill, Dr.
To 1 Neck Collar,
" Boarding House, Dr.
To i doz. Britannia Spoons, at 10 s.
•05
•03
.20
■83"
New milk sold for two cents and skim milk for one cent a quart.
Butter sold for ten cents and coffee for eleven cents a pound. Veal cost
four cents, pork six cents, mutton five cents, and beef three and one-
fourth cents a pound.
*The famous Abolitionist.
CHAPTER X.
ABRIDGED ANNALS.
How Florence Took its Name. — Population. — First Store. — Post Office Estab-
lished.— Casualties. — Cemeteries.
From the very early days of Northampton till 1847, tne locality now
called Florence was known as " Broughton's Meadow Plain," or simply
as "Broughton's Meadow." Soon after 1810 another name was applied
commonly to this region, namely the " Warner School District." The
Northampton Association of Education and Industry was started in
18.42, and while it existed the common term given to the settlement was
''The Community." In 1848 these three names gave way to Bensonville,
and when two years later Mr. Benson failed, and the old appellation
became objectionable, the village was called Greenville, from the new
cotton company.
In the fall of 1852 a meeting of the villagers was held in the South
schoolhouse to choose a name for the place. Postal communication
was soon to be established and a new name was desired. " Shepherd's
Hollow " with its woolen mills had been named " Leeds " after the city
of Leeds, in England, and the name of the great silk emporium of Italy
was offered by Dr. Munde as a suitable appellation for this place. The
pretty village, the clear stream, the silk mill, all suggested to his vivid
imagination the propriety of naming the village " Florence," and the
stream " Arno." The citizens thought well of the neat and euphonious
" Florence " and unanimously adopted it, but the " Arno " never replaced
the historic term of " Mill River."
POPULATION.
In 1800 the population of this district was not far from fifteen ; in
1820 the number had increased to about fifty, and in 1845, while the
Community was in progress, probably two hundred and twenty per-
sons were living in this vicinity. During the next ten years many
persons came to Florence and by i860 the population was one thousand.
In 1863 it is quoted as twelve hundred and eighty-two, in 1864, fourteen
hundred and forty-two, and in 1865 it was sixteen hundred and fifty-four.
The village was making rapid growth at this time, and by 1867 it is
estimated that the number had reached about two thousand. Since
that time a more gradual increase has been noted, until to-day the popu-
lation of Florence is not far from thirty-five hundred.
io8
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
FIRST STORE.
The first store in Florence was established by the "Northampton
Association " in April, 1842. On the seventeenth of that month the stock
directors voted " That Mr. Conant be authorized to purchase groceries
.according to his best judgment for the use of the Community and that
a store be fitted up for their reception." Later it was resolved " That
individuals and families not belonging to the Community may be fur-
nished with articles from the Community's Store at an addition of ten
per cent, to the cost charged to members." Hall Judd was clerk in this
store.
After the Community dissolved, Mr. Hill continued the business alone
till the fall of 1850, when Isaac S. Parsons, son of Captain Samuel Par-
sons of Northampton, moved to Florence and formed a partnership with
Mr. Hill under the name of I. S. Parsons & Company. This store was
in a one story brick building, which was built by Mr. Hill soon after
1847 f°r a s'lk rnill and office, and now forms the western end of the
Nonotuck Silk Company's office building. Bailey Birge succeeded Mr.
Judd as clerk, and later several young men who are now at the head of
the mercantile interests of the village received their first training in this
store. The list includes R. M. Branch, L. F. S. Plimpton, and Henry
Cutler.
THE POST OFFICE.
On the twenty-eighth of December, 1852, after much hard labor,
owing to the opposition made by the postmaster of Northampton, a post
office was established in
Florence, and Mr. I. S. Par-
sons was appointed post-
master, a position which he
filled for sixteen years. Mr.
Henry Cutler was clerk for
Mr. Parsons during a greater
part of this time.
Before '52 all the Florence
mail had been placed in Mr.
S. L. Hill's box, No. 175, at
the Northampton office, and
he brought it each day to
the village. For months after the petition had been sent to Washington,
those who opposed the change were successful in preventing the estab-
lishment of the new office, on the ground that Florence was not two miles
from Leeds. At this time a general rule provided that no office should be
MAPLE STREET. NEAR WEST CENTER STREET.
AI'.Rll.HlKn ANNALS.
IO9
established within two miles of any other office, unless the postmaster
general could be convinced that one was really needed. William F.
Quigley's (later Oliver Thayer's) stage carried the one daily mail. It
went towards Northampton about ten o'clock in the morning and towards
Leeds at four o'clock in the afternoon.
From 1852 to 1868 the office was at the brick store of I. S. Parsons &
Co., then for a few weeks it was at
Mr. Haven's house, until Mr. Cutler
received the appointment, and it was
removed to the building now Cutler,
Plimpton & Co.'s. In 1884 it was
transferred to the building erected for
it, on Maple street, near Main street,
where it has since been.
The postmasters have been as fol-
lows : I. S. Parsons, appointed Dec.
28, 1852; J. L. Otis, 1868; Henry
F. Cutler, 1S6S ; Maj. J. F. Angell,
1884 ; H. K. Parsons, April 8, 1889 ;
William M. Smith, July 13, 1891.
Casualties. — On July n, 1859, the
steam boiler in Hiram Wells & Com-
pany's machine works (which stood
on the site of the present oil-gas stove
plant) exploded ten minutes before
seven o'clock, killing the engineer,
Frank Spear, and injuring Mr. Wells,
so that he lived but twenty-four hours.
John Franzen was badly burned, and
died after six weeks of suffering. Mr.
C. B. Rose, the superintendent of the
foundry and pattern shop, was badly
scalded and bruised. Wells and Rose
were in the workshop and nearly opposite the rear end of the boiler.
The engine, a machine of ten horse power, had not been used for a
week on account of repairs, but had been tried on Saturday and Sunday,
and found to be in good running order. On Monday morning, a good
fire had been made under the boiler, and at ten minutes of seven steam
was issuing from the safety valve. Spear received orders to weight
down the valve, which he reluctantly did, and, as the steam was forcing its
way through one of the gauges in consequence of the increased weight
on the valve, he remarked to Franzen (who was sitting near by smoking,
"And all around me every bush and tree
Says Autumn's here, and Winter soon will be.''
— Lowell.
HO HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
waiting for the machinery to start up), that if the boiler should burst
then, he would catch it. A moment after it burst, scattering the bricks
over a distance of five or six rods, and covering the body of the engineer
in the ruins. He lived till 9.30 a.m.
The boiler was thirty feet in length, and had two flues, both of which
collapsed. The discharge of steam forced down an eight-inch brick
wall, and moved the heavy iron machinery three or four feet. The
explosion shook the ground throughout the neighborhood.
Mr. Spear was thirty-eight years old, and Mr. Wells forty-eight years.
Each left a wife and two children.
Edwin Thwing lost his life in the machine shop connected with the
silk mill, Saturday, April 18, 1861. It was a rainy day and the water was
dripping through an open skylight upon his tools in the shop. He went
to the attic to close the skylight, but, through carelessness, allowed his
clothes to catch in the shafting which ran near the top of the room.
He was whirled around the shaft with great rapidity, death coming in a
few seconds.
CEMETERIES.
Soon after 1820 Josiah White, the oil-maker, gave the town a little
plot of land for a cemetery, and in 1825 the first burial was made there.
This plot was the northeast corner of the present Park street cemetery,
and the original gift included the land on which the North schoolhouse
was afterward built. This schoolhouse was given to Samuel L. Hill in
1863 (on consideration that he would build a larger one to replace the
South schoolhouse) and he sold it soon after to private parties, and they
acquired the land by " peaceful possession." So through carelessness
this portion of Josiah White's gift was forfeited. During the fifties it
was seen that a larger burial ground would soon be required, and on
May 4, 1858, the town paid Mr. A. P. Critchlow seventy-five dollars for
enough land to make the lot nearly square.
By 1881 the growth of the village warranted the purchase of addi-
tional ground for burial purposes. There had been a strong desire
among many residents of Florence that the two places, Florence and
Northampton center, might sometime be merged into one, and when, in
1881, the town purchased the Dennison water cure property for a bury-
ing ground, there was much dissatisfaction expressed among some who
foresaw that this move would mean death to their hopes. Timely agi-
tation of the subject brought about the desired result, however, and at
the annual town meeting, held March 20, 1882, the town rescinded its
ABRIDGED ANNALS. Ill
vote of the year previous whereby the Dennison property was to be
plotted and staked off for burial lots, and the Florence cemetery matter
was referred to a committee of five. This committee, consisting of
H. K. Parsons, W. H. Riley, L. F. S. Plimpton, J. L. Otis, and G. H. Ray,
reported June 19, 1882, recommending the purchase of a large tract in
the northern part of the village known as the " Graves and Warner "
lots. The land was bought for $1,731, and by the year following the
amount of money expended for the land and putting it in shape had
reached $3,891.96. The first burial took place in April, 1883, and before
the year closed a receiving tomb had been built at a cost of $700. To
transform the wild waste into a suitable burying ground was no small
task, and the present Spring Grove cemetery, although not famous for
its attractiveness, is a spot of natural beauty and some day will be a
park that the village will take pride in.
SPRING GROVE CEMETERY.
JkondJ \
c
; OLD
•T]A\ES •
\ KELIGIOV5 — f >
<L \ * EDVCATIONALI *JT
JAM5CELLANEOV51
^f biographical;*
NDU5TRIAL
*L/
OLD COMMUNITY TIMES
REMINISCENCES.
By Frances P. Judd.
In attempting- to recall the early days of what is now Florence, one
cannot avoid in a measure living it all over again ; of thinking of one's self
as young and hopeful, and full of the enthusiasm of new ideas, and new
aspirations for higher and purer conditions of humanity. A half century
has gone by since then, with many changes for the writer, but with no
abatement of the interest then felt in social, religious, and political
reforms. I well remember the first time I saw the place which was after-
wards to be the scene of so much struggle, enjoyment, disappointment,
and sorrow ; struggle with poverty, not scarcity of the necessaries of life,,
but an ever present consciousness of the necessity of self-denial and rigid
economy ; enjoyment of congenial society, a common purpose in life, and
a mutual desire to promote the best interests of mankind. The end
desired could not be reached in the way we had hoped, hence our disap-
pointment.
I came from Northampton one beautiful Sunday in spring, a friend
driving in to bring me and another, to see the place which we hoped
would be to us a paradise. We came out by Prospect street, then down
what is now Pine street, and across the lot to the back door of the house
that was occupied by Mr. Benson and his large family. This house was
at the corner of what is now Maple and Nonotuck streets. It seemed to
be in a wilderness. A pine grove and ravine were west of it, and the land
to the east was covered with mulberry bushes. Indeed, the side hill and
plain above were given up to the " moms multicaulis."
The only names I had heard in connection with the new enterprise
were those of Benson, Hill, Adam, and Mack. The matter of our joining
the " Northampton Association " was discussed that day, and when we
returned to Northampton the question was put to me, " Shall we take
what little money we have and cast in our lot with these people, who
everybody says are visionary, fanatical, and foolish, or shall we go else-
where to make our home and get our living?" I said, "We will join
them." In a short time we married, and came here. This was in 1842,
and here my home has since been.
n6
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
The association was formed. New people constantly came, drawn by
sympathy of views on one subject or another; all were earnest in the
anti-slavery cause ; many were deeply interested in non-resistance ; all
were temperance people and some had suffered expulsion from the
churches for their course on anti-slavery or other matters. They came
together, and the former inhabitants of this rural hamlet looked on with
suspicion and distrust at this new order of things. These people, who
had invaded their formerly quiet domain, had such strange notions ;
many of them imbued with Quaker ideas and thinking all days alike
holy. Some did not reverence the church and priesthood ; some were
advocates of vegetarianism, discarding animal food and all stimulating
drinks. No wonder we were " past finding out." I do not know that
WILDER PLACE — PARK STREET.
any of our people were immoral, or that their neighbors could accuse
them of dishonesty in their dealings, or anything worse than their disre-
gard of outward religious observances.
Houses were scarce, and to accommodate all who wished to join us,
part of the brick factory was fitted up as a boarding house. The quar-
ters were rude and plain, and the fact that the members were willing to
submit to the many inconveniences, and to forego all luxuries and many
of the comforts to which they had been accustomed, showed how dear
to their hearts was the cause they had espoused.
The " labor question " was, even then, stirring earnest and philan-
thropic souls, and the fact that the employees in the silk factory were
confined twelve hours a day led some of our zealous members to express
themselves earnestly against it, and to advocate a reduction of the hours
OLD COMMUNITY TIMES.
117
of labor. That the immediate consequences of this proceeding were
injurious to the financial interests of the association, there is no doubt,
but the final result was satisfactory, especially to those who gained an
hour a day for rest and recreation by the change from twelve to eleven
hours.
The question of the equality of the sexes was never discussed. It
was accepted as one of our fundamental principles. A wife has been
known to vote contrary to her
husband, and the family re-
main intact. Some of the
more timid women looked to
their husbands as their teach-
ers, in accordance with St.
Paul's injunction, "Ask thy
husband at home." I remem-
ber one instance when some
subject was under consider-
ation, the opinion of the mem-
bers was asked regarding it.
One woman replied, " My
opinion has gone to the West,"
referring to her husband's
- , xt i- THE liENSON HOUSE ON MAIN STREET.
absence from home. No dis-
tinction was made on account of color. When David Ruggles came here
from New York to find a refuge, he was welcomed and treated as an
honored friend, and so were many others.
After four years of struggle, it was thought best to disband. For
various reasons many persons had withdrawn and gone away to resume
their former vocations under the ordinary conditions of society. Some
remained and pursued their various callings. Meanwhile, the population
outside the community had increased ; new branches of industry had
been started, so all could find employment.
New schoolhouses were built, one for a primary school on the site of
the old one, which had been removed, and one near where the present
fine edifice stands. It was plain, and small, and inconvenient, in the
light of the present time, but to us then it was a great improvement
over most of the country schoolhouses. It served many purposes. On
Sundays it was used for religious meetings. The Congregational, the
Methodist, and the Free Congregational societies, all had their beginning
there. New enterprises were started, new societies were formed, and
meetings for other purposes enlisted the attention of the people. At
that time anti-slavery was the great subject in the minds of the whole
Il8 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
nation. I think it would be true to say that the people of Florence were
on the right side. I am sure a person must have been very bold to have
argued in favor of the slave system, and the cases were rare when it was
done.
Perhaps no place of its size has had so much of interest in its history
as Florence. The best speakers on every subject have been heard here.
There has always been a platform to which all reforms have been wel-
comed, and an opportunity given to all to hear the best thought on every
subject. This opportunity has been well improved. Those who have
enjoyed the rich treats which have been provided have been strengthened
and enriched thereby. The seed thus sown has not been lost. Not all
fell upon good ground, but enougli did to make Florence the home of
free thought, and of great tolerance of the diversity of views which nec-
essarily prevail in such a community.
Florence, as " Broughton Meadows," was beautiful. The river, the
meadows, the sandy plain with its fine views, then unobstructed by trees
or buildings, made it very attractive fifty years ago. The Florence of
to-day still has its river, its meadows, and its plain, but now the meadows
and the plain have changed. Houses cover the plain, factories and
shops are numerous, and their number is constantly increasing. Still
" beautiful for situation " is Florence, and may her people be as good as
their home is beautiful.
WHEN I WAS A BOY.
By Geokge R. Stetson, New Bedford, Mass.
My recollections of the Community are those of boyhood, and I can
only give some idea of the life of a boy. As I reflect on the methods
adopted for our education and government, I am led to believe that the
hope of our parents and the controlling minds in the Community was so
to educate the children that, in their maturer years, the ideas of a broad,
liberal, and moral character should have an influence in the improve-
ment of society. In reviewing the lives and characters of those who
have grown out of the Community, the conclusion is forced upon me
that the results desired have been generally obtained. Mr. S. L. Hill,
who watched over the children with more intelligent care than any other
person, expressed his thought agreeable to this conclusion. There was
no effort made to instruct us in any sectarian or peculiar theological
ideas. If there was not much said regarding " the Fatherhood of God,"
" the Brotherhood of Man " was a constant object lesson. I have heard
the opinion expressed that among the reasons why the project was not
OLD COMMUNITY TIMES.
II9
more of a financial success was that this "charity towards all" was too
generally extended in a material way. But this general hospitality drew
together people of varied experiences, among whom were many bright
and superior minds.
I remember most of those who were the adult members of the Com-
munity. Among them may be mentioned Samuei L. Hill, George Ben-
son, Austin Ross, David Mack, Samuel A. Bottum, Hiram Wells, E. L.
Hammond, Hall Judd, William Adam, Luther Brigham, James Willey,
and Calvin Stebbins. These men impressed themselves on my mind as
1
METHODIST CHURCH. SOJOURNER TRUTH HOUSE. JUDD PLACE.
A PARK STREET VIEW.
HAVEN HOUSE.
being more than ordinary men. Among the women might be mentioned
an equal number who were all competent, and possessed greater intel-
lectual ability than the average women of that time.
My father, mother, and their five children joined the Community in
the spring of 1843, when I was six years old. I remember distinctly our
arrival at the little cottage of my uncle, George Benson. For a great
many years there was a beautiful pine grove back of this cottage.
Among the trees were several graves, but I do not remember the history
of them. Standing at that time in the belfry of the present Braid Mill,
but three dwellings could be seen. To the right, towards Northampton,
was the house of an Irishman, named Hickey, and this must have been
seen through the forest trees, which covered the plain to a greater or
120 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
less extent ; to the left was the Adam house, and to the north was the Ben-
son cottage. Our family was installed in a suite of rooms in the south-
east corner on the third floor of the Community boarding house. Very
sunny and pleasant rooms, as I recollect them. While the danger from
fire, or the distance from the ground, caused our parents some anxiety, we
children did not suffer from this cause.
The large dining room was where the meetings were held, and during
the winter a regular lyceum was maintained. The children recited
pieces, and classes in music furnished song. The debates were carried
on with spirit, and, as would naturally be expected among such positive
minded men as composed the Community, personal antagonism would
sometimes be engendered. But when different opinions were honestly
PARK STREET CEMETERY.
held, a broad mantle of charity was extended and the ultimate outcome
was a better understanding and confidence. Any visitors who had
special talent were invited to contribute to the general pleasure and
instruction. I heard here for the first time the Hutchinson family ; Jud-
son, Abby, John, and Asa then made up the famous quartette, which for
years was so well known. Fred Douglass was introduced to Northamp-
ton through this channel. I remember him as a finely formed, athletic
young man. Among the family curiosities is a stone which was thrown
at him while trying to speak in the Northampton town hall, about this time.
David Ruggles was another of the peculiar characters that I remember
distinctly. He was blind, and it was one of my boyhood duties to lead
him to his baths. Garrison was a frequent visitor. I remember hearing
him speak under the large pine tree that used to be our summer meet-
OLD COMMUNITY TIMES.
ing house. All of the old Community people remember this tree with
reverence. The memory of many instructive lessons from earnest and
capable men cluster around this spot.
Sojourner Truth, the African, who was a conspicuous figure during
the anti-slavery controversy, was here and was accustomed to speak and
sometimes to sing. In either
act she commanded attention,
having a tall imposing figure,
a strong voice, and a ready
wit. Her retorts or argu-
ments were usually well di-
rected and secured the desired
results. She was brought
from Africa when a child and
held as a slave in New York
state. She bore her tribal
mark and it was sometimes
suggested that she came from
royal stock. She neverlearned
to read, write, or figure, and
in speaking once she said,
"Three thirds of the people
are wrong." Some one in the
audience said, " That takes
them all, Sojourner," and she
answered, " I am sorry, as I had hoped there were a few left." One of
the boys fell off the dam, and, as fortune favored him, struck in a deep
pool only a few feet long. This was the only place where he could have
fallen without injury as there was a ledge extending the remainder of
the way. Sojourner remarked, on hearing of the accident, " If the Devil
made him fall the Lord had a fixed place for him to light in."
The educational methods were original and our instructors were
among the first in this country to use object lessons. While the chil-
dren of my age had lessons from books, the lessons taught through the
oral and practically illustrated methods are the ones I now remember.
A class of which I was a member was under the instruction of Miss
Sophia Foorde.. Our schoolroom was frequently the plain back of the
present braid factory. On the banks of the river we were taught to
build the different geographical formations, miniature islands, capes,
promontories, peninsulas, and isthmuses. I have frequently noticed that
I have a much clearer idea of these formations than others of my age,
who were my superiors in memorizing lessons.
VIEW ON PINE STREET IN 187O.
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
Work was interspersed with our lessons. We gathered the mulberry
leaves for the silkworms, being watched over and directed by a member
appointed for that purpose. Among those who had my class in charge
was a man educated for a Catholic priest. To encourage us to work and
to still the clatter of our tongues he sometimes recited a Latin prayer.
As this was always a
reward for welldoing
0 n o u r part, he ex-
pected to receive an
immediate answer. Mr.
Austin Eoss usually
had the care of the boys
older than myself,
though sometimes my
class was placed under
his charge. We were
watched while at work
or at play, instructed
in swimming, as well
as in hoeing, and while
1 never knew corporal
punishment to be re-
sorted to, Mr. Ross had
the reputation of being
able to close his hand
very tightly on the arm
or shoulder of any boy who disobeyed his orders. I presume the Com-
munity children had their troubles and hardships, but my memory mostly
brings " visions of happiness." The occasional rides to the wood lot with
Mr. Bottum, or to the farm with Mr. Ross, and many incidents of work
and play are all reflected in rose-colored hues.
There has been much interest excited about the grave of a young
lady who was buried by the road leading to Bay State. This was a
beautiful place, sloping toward the river. Our Community Paradise,
with its large pine trees, among whose roots wound a brook, was on one
side, and the river on the other side. Over the grave a beautiful oak
spread its protecting branches. She was buried here according to her
request, and the children filed by and dropped in her grave their sprigs
of evergreen and wild flowers. Very few of those to maturity grown
who stood around her grave at that time but have followed her to the
great unknown. Mrs. Judd,* Mrs. Martin, Mr. Ross, Mr. and Mrs.
THE ISAAC PARSONS PLACE — NOW H. F. CUTLER'S RESIDENCE.
* Died January, 1894. Article written December, 1892. — [Editor.
OLD COMMUNITY TIMES.
123
Atkins, and Mr. Bottum yet remain, and have watched the many transi-
tions that have taken place around the homes of the old Community, an
association formed to help its individual members to more complete and
well rounded life. The enterprise failed materially, but among the
eternal forces that live and influence the world, I believe the Community
still has its being.
WHEN I WAS A GIRL.
By a Community Maiden.
My earliest recollections connected with Florence were of the long
journey from Brooklyn, Conn., made with our family by private convey-
ance, there being no railroad to Northampton at that time. The cottage
to which we came stood on rising ground, terraced to the road, with a
rather long, sandy hill at the back ; a beautiful grove of great pine trees
at one side, and just beyond that a deep, broad, sand valley, clean,
white, and fine ; an ideal playground for children. Our great delight
was to start some distance from its brink, run as fast as we could, jump
over and land knee deep in its warm embrace.
Across the road, and directly opposite the cottage, ran a shallow
brook, with sandy soil on either side, in which grew fine, firm cranberries,
the first and last I ever ._-
saw growing. Beyond
the brook, and a zig-
zag fence, lay a swamp
of some extent, which
was our resort when
hunting the trailing
arbutus, which grew
there in perfection.
One day, while looking
for the flowers, I rolled
a log over, and beheld
a large, black snake surrounded by her family of little blackies, where-
upon the mother opened wide her mouth, and one by one the six baby
snakes disappeared down that receptacle.
How long it might have been before the Community was founded,
I have no idea, but soon the brick mill became a place of residence for
families, and uncles, aunts, and cousins, besides others, began to arrive,
and my lonely life was relieved by companions of all ages.
And then began our school life, which was so different from the
■ ; ^Mm^'J^sa^i 3
I'ULLY UOSWORTH HOUSE TO-DAY.
124 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
stereotyped training of other young folks of those days. Our teachers
were people of original ideas on education ; thoughtful, progressive,
intellectual, somewhat unusual qualifications, then, for school teachers.
The best remembered of them all were Mr. and Mrs. David Mack. All
our teachers, however, were our friends and companions, and our school-
room, very often, some lovely grove, or shady nook on the banks of the
winding Mill River. We were taught botany wherever flowers grew, and
we learned by object lessons many things that city children never knew
unless in adult life their interest in some special pursuit brought them in
close contact with nature. We traveled miles, climbed Mounts Holyoke
and Tom in search of rare specimens of their flora, or minerals ; any-
thing, in fact, that our quick eyes could spy out from which our teachers
could give us a new idea.
When the cold weather drove us indoors, our work differed in many
points. We were taught sewing, braiding straw, knitting silk and beaded
purses, and other useful things. And while we worked our teacher read
the classics to us, — Shakespeare's plays, Scott's novels, Prescott's " His-
tory of the Conquest of Mexico," " Undine," and many other charming
books, both prose and poetry ; so that while our minds were the most
receptive, all the beauties of the literature were pointed out and impressed
upon us. Another feature was the bringing of a new fact, or idea, each
morning to school with us, and some of them were very new, indeed, as,
for instance, when a small cousin of mine gave as her quota of informa-
tion, that she " never knew before that Mary, Queen of Scots, cut her
own head off ! " the shocked expression of her large, blue eyes attesting
her firm belief in her " fact." But with all that was unusual in our
schooling, the old-fashioned ways of study were by no means neglected,
and we had to learn our lessons, also.
One feature of our training was the athletic exercises that the girls,
as well as the boys, were expected to take. As the blind, colored man,
Dr. Ruggles, was very fond of us youngsters, we were, of course, great
friends of his. No sooner did we "sight" him, than, with arm sharply
bent at elbow, we gathered around him to have the exact extent of
muscular improvement from our latest practice on cross-tree (or other
trees, for that matter) decided by his infallible judgment. I am still
proud to say that my muscle always stood well in his estimation. Bath-
ing was another much sought amusement of ours, and many a retired
nook on the river was a favored sporting place.
One department of industry was raising silkworms for raw silk.
Extensive fields of mulberry bushes were already planted, a cocoonery
was built, and the eggs imported. The children did the work, under the
supervision of a couple of men to keep us in order, and see that it was
OLD COMMUNITY TIMES.
125
not all play and no work. The long, rather low cocoonery had shelves
on each side of a passageway, running lengthwise with it, upon which the
eggs were hatched, and the boys brought the leaves in baskets, while the
girls distributed them over the shelves, and worms soon devoured them.
The work was clean and wholesome, done at regular times, between
school hours, and really enjoyable. Some of us were sorry when it had
to be abandoned after a full trial, it proving cheaper to obtain the silk
from China.
In winter our chief amusement consisted in coasting. In the fall,
when the mill pond was full of logs, it was great fun to run over its
THE ROSS FARM — FORMERLY OWNED BY THE COMMUNITY.
narrowest part, jumping from log to log. What should we do or say if
we caught our daughters indulging such dangerous accomplishments ?
We were undoubtedly a set of tomboys, as all girls would be if given
their freedom, as we were, to follow the footsteps of their boyish com-
panions. We ran races ; climbed trees and fences ; waded rivers and
brooks ; fished, rowed, skated, and swam — at least all of us who could
learn the latter accomplishments, which but a few did.
And so passed the happiest hours of the happiest possible childhood.
And it lingers in the memory of all who enjoyed its privileges, as an ideal
126 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
unattainable in these days of more artificial training for the young,
which, superior as it undoubtedly is, so far as book knowledge goes, yet
makes them old before reaching their teens. I leave it for others to
tell of the many celebrated people who often came amongst us, lectured
for us, and entertained us in various ways. I have only aimed at giving
some experiences in the life in the Community of the children under
twelve years of age.
A YOUNG MAN IN THE COMMUNITY.
By Giles D. Stebbins, Detroit, Michigan.
Florence has its own atmosphere and character. It is noteworthy,
not only for its natural beauty and for its aspect of thrift and taste, but
for the cheerful industry, the decent ways, the fraternal spirit, the free
and active mental and moral life and the religious charity of its people.
What ideas inspired its founders ? What influences shaped its charac-
ter and vitalized its air ? My part of the answer will be some glimpses
of a year in the Community, when I was twenty-five years old. The
brick factory by the river side, the few plain houses scattered around it,
the pleasant valley, the broad fields, the wooded hills with paths among
the great trees and the laurels and wild flowers along their winding
ways, — all are in my mind's eye.
Plain living and high thinking went together. Social life was uncon-
ventional, going to the bounds of propriety but not beyond. I did not
know a grossly depraved person, and there were no tragic outbreaks of
vice or crime. Vulgarity was less common than in the outer world.
They were thinking people, trying a noble experiment, — an effort for
industry and education more fraternal than seemed possible elsewhere.
It may be said that they did not succeed, but surely they did not wholly
fail, for the memory of those days has been pleasant and helpful to all.
There and elsewhere, far and near, I have met the pioneers of that Commu-
nity, and have found no " black sheep " among them. There was a strange
charm in the daily contact with persons of widely varying opinions,
freely exchanged without controversy. Even in religion there was no
cold wave of self-righteous bigotry, and we find to-day a kindly charity
and mutual respect among the various denominations.
There were many visitors, — persons eminent in thought and life, inter-
ested in this experiment, — and meeting them was interesting and instruct-
ive, sometimes amusing. Rev. Mr. Woodbridge, a grave Puritan D.D.
of Hadley, came one day, met among the silkworms a young man named
OLD COMMUNITY TIMKS.
127
Porter, and asked, "What do you do here Sundays ?" The reply was :
" We rest, sometimes do pressing- work, read, think, hold meetings, and
try to behave as well as we do Mondays." The preacher asked, " Have
you no minister?" "No," was the answer; "we all speak if we wish,
men and women. You can come and say what you please ; we will treat
you well, but we may not agree with you and may ask questions." " Do
you all think alike? How do you get along when you don't agree ? "
The young man picked up a stick and rapped on the fence rail, first on
one place and then along the rail, saying, "You notice that when I rap
on one spot the sound is monotonous, when I move my stick it varies.
Don't you like the variations? You are not foolish enough to quarrel
with the stick or the rail
because these sounds
differ, but you like to
hear them and make up
y o u r mind which is
best." A good object
lesson in free inquiry.
The Sunday meetings
were always provocative
of thought, usually inter-
esting, sometimes crude.
They were held in the
factory dining room, or
under the shade of a
great pine in the grove
on the hilltop. William
Lloyd Garrison spent
part of the summer here,
and spoke several times.
The listening group, the
speaker standing by the massive trunk of the towering tree, his bold yet
reverent utterances, the fragrance of the pines, the mountains in the dis-
tance, and the blue sky over all, seem like something of yesterday.
I was not a member of the Community, but a student with William
Adam and David Mack as teachers, ripe scholars and excellent men. It
was a study of character as well as of books ; — of marked individuality,
moral courage, devotedness to good ends, some tinge of erratic fancies,
and a warm sympathy which made life pleasant.
I remember a wedding at the breakfast table of the factory dining hall,
with no cake or cards, but brown bread and wooden chairs and a squire
to make the rite legal. The ripe wisdom and delicate tenderness, finely
RESIDENCE
SAMUEL POKIER.
128 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
shown in gracious words or acts by those who went from the wedding
feast to their work in mill, or kitchen, or the open fields, made some
weddings, where silks and diamonds and shallow compliments abound,
poor in comparison.
It is sometimes well for a young man to find out how little he knows.
It takes awav self-conceit and leads to deeper thinking. I was at the age
when self-esteem is active. A Massachusetts youth, who was a Whig, a
Unitarian, and a prospective clergyman, might naturally have a fair share
of complacent self-satisfaction. I had a room in a house partly occupied
by James Stetson and family from Brooklyn, Conn. Mrs. Stetson was a
superior woman, a personal friend of S. J. May, and other early anti-
slavery leaders. One evening, in their room, the talk was of anti-slavery,
and she quoted some Bible texts favoring freedom for all. Gravely and
with oracular air, I spoke of Paul and Onesimus, and of the Apostle
sending back the slave to his master. I can see still the shade of amused
pity that spread over her fine face as she heard me through. Then she
took up the matter and expounded the Scriptures in the light of liberty.
As she expounded I was confounded, — that I, one of the lords of crea-
tion, who hoped, like Walter Scott's Dominie Sampson, to " wag my
pow in the pulpit " in due time, should be so utterly humiliated by a
person unlearned, as I supposed, in clerical lore, and that person a
woman ! She was kind, but that made it worse. There really seemed
nothing left of me, I did not sleep for half the night, for thinking of my
mental and moral confusion. But at last it dawned on me that the
lesson was needed as well as right, and I went to her in the morning
and heartily thanked her. We became cordial friends, and, having come
into a teachable mood, I learned much from her.
Other friends I had, whose useful lives and large thoughts were
inspiring suggestions of much that has since been well done. Samuel
L. Hill, — unpretending, sagacious, tireless, of moral courage unsur-
passed, and a fine integrity that made his promise sure, — the fatherly
helper beloved by all ; Hammond, Benson, Atkins, Judd, Ross, are names
calling up men and women known and prized.
A leading aim of the Community was to emphasize human fraternity,
to uplift the common lot, and its members carried that aim into the
business enterprises in which they engaged on the domain which had
been the place of their joint efforts for a better life for all. The charac-
ter of a town where large industries employ many persons is modified by
the spirit and methods of the managers and employers. Where business
sagacity and fraternal humanity are combined all seem to live in a
purer and more vitalizing air, and much is done to enrich the life of the
people.
OLD COMMl'NITV TIMES.
129
In this respect Florence has been sirigularly fortunate, and the busi-
ness career of Samuel L. Hill and others gives signal proof that this
combination is practicable and that the union of wisdom and love helps
to the best material results, as well as to the best life for all. Fraternity
and self-respect are better stimulants to skilled and faithful labor than a
blind and chilling selfishness.
The Community was short-lived. Its errors have died away, its
influence for good is still felt, for the right outlives the wrong and so
the world moves upward.
WHAT I FOUND AT THE NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION.
By Frederick Douglass.
Of the great mental wave of reform that passed over New England
fifty years ago and gave rise to the Florence, Brook Farm, and Hopedale
Communities, others can tell you more and better than I. The religion
of good will to man ; of fervent
desire and courageous determi-
nation to put aside the old and
to venture boldly upon the
new ; to change and improve
conditions of human existence ;
to liberate mankind from the
bondage of time-worn custom ;
to curb and fix limits to in-
dividual selfishness ; to diffuse
wealth among the lowly ; to
banish poverty ; to harmonize
" Far from gay cities and the ways of men." — Pope.
conflicting interests, and to promote the happiness of mankind gener-
ally, had at that time such a revival as, perhaps, New England had never
seen before, and has certainly never seen since.
This high thought of the time took deep hold upon men and women,
and led them to dare and do startling things in contradiction to the
common sense of the period. Many who thought themselves reformers
were not ready to embark in the wild, or what seemed to them wild, and
fantastical measures of these radicals ; who, in their war against old
forms and social arrangements, sometimes seemed to assume that what-
ever was new, was true, and that whatever was old, was erroneous. With
them, the old way was the wrong way, and the new was the right, or at
least had within it the promise of the right.
130 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
The period was one of faith, hope, and charity ; of millennial fore-
shadowing. The air was full of isms — Grahamism, mesmerism, Fou-
rierism, transcendentalism, communism, and abolitionism. Fresh from
slavery at that time, and keenly alive to its horrors, my mind was mainly
occupied with the last mentioned ism, and yet with a strong leaning
towards communism as a remedy for all social ills. I found, too, that the
men and women who were interested in the work of revolutionizing the
whole system of civilization were also deeply interested in the emancipa-
tion of the slaves ; and this was enough to insure my sympathy to these
universal reformers.
Of the various attempts to give form and substance to the broad and
beneficent ideas of the times, Florence and Hopedale seemed fullest of
promise. For harmony, Hopedale had a decided advantage over Flor-
ence, in that its leaders were of one religious faith, while Florence was
composed both of men and women of different denominations, and of
those of no religious bias or profession. It was from the first a protest
against sectism and bigotry and an assertion of. the paramount impor-
tance of human brotherhood.
I visited Florence almost at its beginning, when it was in the rough ;
when all was Spartan-like simplicity. It struck me at once that the
reformers had a tremendous task before them. I knew that many of
them were people well to do in the world, and I naturally wondered how
they could content themselves to leave the smooth and pleasant paths of
life to which they were accustomed, for the rough and thorny ways they
were now compelled to tread. The site of the Community was decidedly
unpromising. The soil was poor and had little or nothing upon it but
stubby oaks and stunted pines. The most hopeful thing I saw there was
a narrow stream meandering through an entangled valley of brush and
brier, and a brick building which the communists had now converted
into a dwelling and factory. The place and the people struck me as the
most democratic I had ever met. It was a place to extinguish all aris-
tocratic pretensions. There was no high, no low, no masters, no servants,
no white, no black. I, however, felt myself in very high society. I met
there Samuel Hill, Seth Hunt, George Benson, Hall Judd, William
Bassett, James Boyle, Giles B. Stebbins, Elisha Hammond, his wife, Miss
Sophia Foorde, and a number of others, all people from the upper walks
of life, and yet fraternizing with the humblest members of the association
of which they formed a part.
My impressions of the Community are not only the impressions of a
stranger, but those of a fugitive slave to whom at that time even Massa-
chusetts opposed a harsh and repellent side. The cordial reception I
met with at Florence, was, therefore, much enhanced bv its contrast with
OLD COMMUNITY TIMES.
131
many other places in that commonwealth. Mere, at least, neither my
color nor my condition was counted against me. I found here my old
friend, David Ruggles, not only black, but blind, and measurably help-
less, but a man of sterling sense and worth. He had been caught up in
New York city, rescued from destitution, brought here and kindly cared
for. I speak of David Ruggles as my old friend. He was such to me
only as he had been to others in the same plight. Before he was old and
blind he had been a coworker with the venerable Quaker, Isaac T.
Hopper, and had assisted me as well as many other fugitive slaves, on
the way from slavery to freedom. It was good to see that this man who
had zealously assisted others was now receiving assistance from the
benevolent men and women of this Community, and if a grateful heart
VIEW OF FLORENCE — LOOKING NORTH FROM SCHOOLIIOUSE TOWER.
in a recipient of benevolence is any compensation for such benevolence,
the friends of David Ruggles were well compensated. His whole theme
to me was gratitude to these noble people. For his blindness he was
hydropathically treated in the Community. He himself became well
versed in the water cure system, and was subsequently at the head of a
water cure establishment at Florence. He acquired such sensitiveness of
touch that he could, by feeling the patient, easily locate the disease, and
was, therefore, very successful in treating his patients.
David Ruggles was not the only colored person who found refuge in
this Community. I met here for the first time that strange compound of
wit and wisdom, of wild enthusiasm and flint-like common sense, who
132 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
seemed to feel it her duty to trip me up in my speeches and to ridicule
my efforts to speak and act like a person of cultivation and refinement.
I allude to Sojourner Truth. She was a genuine specimen of the uncul-
tured negro. She cared very little for elegance of speech or refinement
of manners. She seemed to please herself and others best when she put
her ideas in the oddest forms. She was much respected at Florence, for
she was honest, industrious, and amiable. Her quaint speeches easily
gave her an audience, and she was one of the most useful members of the
Community in its day of small things.
It is hardly possible to point to a greater contrast than is presented
by Florence now, and what it was fifty years ago. Then it was a wilder-
ness. Now it blossoms like the rose. Though the outward form has
changed, the early spirit of the Community has survived. The noble
character of its men and women, and the spirit of its teachers, are still
found in that locality, and one cannot visit there without seeing that
George Benson, Samuel Hill, Mr. and Mrs. Hammond, Sophia Foorde,
William Bassett, and Giles B. Stebbins, and the rest of them, have not
lived in vain.
THE HUTCHINSONS" VISIT.
By John W. Hutchinson.
The glorious principle of the " Fatherhood of God, and the Brother-
hood of Man " is a legacy to humanity from primeval times ; it was the
spirit that pervaded the day of Pentecost, and actuated the early Chris-
tians, who " held all things in common." From out the dim vista of
years, to the believers of a later generation this spirit came once more,
as though ordained to awaken anew the cherished idea advanced by the
Master, the rule of love — that mighty, controlling influence which was to
be once more promulgated to lift the struggling world to a realm of
confidence in God and man.
It was this vital principle that made itself visible in the spirit that
shone forth and the motives controlling the dear cluster of believers
gathered in the Northampton valley, on the banks of the picturesque
Mill River, coming thence from the homes of New England to form the
" Northampton Association of Education and Industry." They sought
to establish a community. For reasons that it is no part of my task to
state, their experiment, like that at Brook Farm in Roxbury, the "North
American Phalanx " in New Jersey, and the community of my own
loved brothers and sisters in Milford, N. H., was short lived, but the idea
is immortal, and some day will receive its successfid demonstration.
OLD COMMUNITY TIMES.
*33
As the last remaining member of the hand of singing hrothers and
one sister, who in 1844 spent two happy days with this Community, it is
a privilege to put on record sonic impressions and reminiscences of this
delightful occasion. We were youthful and ambitious. Our voices
had been already lifted in aid of freedom and reform. We had just
closed our first tour to Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington. In
the latter cities we had received our first impressions, by actual contact,
of the horrid iniquity of slavery. We were now on our way from New
York city — where we had achieved in its fullest measure the success so
dear to the heart of every artist — to our New Hampshire home.
In the party that arrived at Northampton on that bright day in open-
ing spring, was my brother Zephaniah, the elder of the band, who was
our business agent. A verita-
ble Yankee, full of plans, ftdl
of hope, except when a tempo-
rary set-back in our work or
some slight illness subdued his
spirits and found expression in
some whimsical remark, half-
sad, half-jocose ; the life he saw
at the Florence Community
filled him with enthusiasm, and
it was hard for him to tear him-
self away from the entrancing
company. He was an Illinois
pioneer, and now lies buried
near his prairie home. Judson
was there, dear, warm-hearted,
whole-souled, angel-voiced
t , tt- u J .. • TV/T-1 RESIDENCE OF NELSON A. DAVIS.
Judson. His body rests in Mil-
ford, near the farm where the Hutchinsons were even then dwelling in a
happy community, with Benny and Rhoda as the home guard, while the
others were earning money for the common treasury in the concert field.
Asa, the basso of the troupe and the youngest brother, was there also.
He sleeps by the banks of the Hassan river, in the western home of the
brothers, Hutchinson, Minnesota. And Abby, the youngest of all, then
only fifteen, was also there. It is only a few short months since she was
with me. Now she sings with the rest in the spirit world. And I only
remain ! How many of that band which we visited are left I do not
know, but I do know that there was not a word or look or act during
our visit that did not tell the story of perfect love and good will toward
us and toward each other.
r34
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
The date was April 29, 1844. All nature was alive. As we rode
from Northampton village on that Saturday morning, we saw the
farmers putting the seed into the ground, and found our young hearts
in the fullest unison with the bright, awakening spring. We had long
looked forward to the time when we should make our advent to this
delightful, picturesque valley. We were greeted as we rode into the
village by scores of communists, who had evidently been anticipating
our arrival. Our sympathies were at once commingled, and soul met
soul in true communion. We pealed forth a song of greeting, which
kindled a flame of sacred love that pervaded all hearts. At once we
were ushered to our lodgings and soon were prepared to be conducted
about the grounds. One place we saw was most charming. In that
delightfully picturesque spot we longed to linger. It was called " Para-
dise Regained," and at this point we gave a strain of music : —
" This world is full of beauty
As other worlds above ;
And, if we did our duty,
It might he full of love."
We strolled about the farm in groups. We went to the silk factories
and thence back to the unpainted Community building, and into the
dining apartments, where,
at the touch of the bell,
all assembled to partake
of food. Order and per-
fect decorum prevailed,
and joy lighted up all
countenances. The dis-
tribution of labor seemed
to be properly adjusted,
and order prevailed
among all the people.
We saw no signs of disaf-
fection, and our joy was
full as we discussed the
grand problems of the
day, fully believing the
whole world could be in-
duced to come up higher into such realms of glory. In the afternoon we
played ball. On Sunday there was a meeting in the great dining room.
Frederick Douglass, then so recently "chattel personal," who the follow-
ing year went with us to Europe, to promulgate the gospel of freedom,
A MODERN INTERIOR.
OLD COMMUNITY TIMES.
J35
was there, and spoke to the communists, as did one of the leaders, Mr.
Hill, and others. We sang many of our songs. 1 well recall the genial
presence at the meeting and about the premises, of Dr. Boyd,* in his
quaint Continental costume. Other faces are in my mind, though their
names ha\'e slipped from my memory. At night we rode back to North-
FORMERLY A PART OF THE COMMUNITY FARM — FROM MEADOW STREET BRIDGE.
ampton, where we sang at a great anti-slavery meeting in the town hall.
I remember Douglass talked three hours. The communists came over to
hear him and us in several two-horse teams.
And all this was a half century ago ! I was then a youth of twenty-
three ; now my white locks tell me of the swift passage of time, though
my heart is as young as ever, for I never mean to grow old. I have many
times seen Northampton since, and in later years often met Samuel L.
Hill. The silk mills remain as a memorial of the quiet Community
which once dwelt where now is the site of a populous village. I am glad
that I am able to join with such gifted spirits as Hill, Stebbins, Judd,
Douglass, and Birge, in contributing a leaf to the history of such an
enterprise. It is certainly well to secure such a memento before all the
actors in the scenes of long ago have passed away.
* See portrait on page 93.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
By Rev. E. G. Cobb.
In the fall of i860 a movement was made for erecting a church edifice
in Florence. Land for this purpose, and for a parsonage, was given by
the Greenville Manufacturing Company of that place, and the requisite
funds were raised by subscription, friends in the Center making liberal
contributions. The immediate success of the effort was in a large meas-
ure due to the earnest co-operation of Rev. Z. Eddy, D.D., pastor of the
First Church. In the chapel of that church, on Saturday, the twentieth
day of October, i860, the " Florence Church Society " was organized.
The subscribers to the building fund were also present, and united with
the society in choosing a building committee, consisting of Messrs. D. G.
Littlefield, A. L. Williston, I. S. Parsons, Joel Hayden, and J. P. Willis-
ton. In the following spring the edifice was commenced, and by the
ensuing fall it was finished and paid for.
On the ninth of October, 1861, twenty-six members of different evan-
gelical churches, having adopted the confession of faith and covenant,
were regularly organized by an ecclesiastical council, into a church of
Christ ; and in the afternoon of the same day their house of worship was
dedicated to the Lord. For six months after this they had the services of
Rev. T. A. Leete, who had also labored with them for some time previous
to the organization. He was succeeded by Rev. S. O. Dyer, who supplied
the pulpit for the term of three months. On the fifteenth of December,
1862, Rev. Horace C. Hovey was called to settle as pastor, and on the
fifth of February, 1863, he was duly installed. On the twenty-fifth of
August, 1866, Mr. Hovey offered his resignation, was released by a
mutual council September third, and closed his labors witli this church
October first, 1866. On the twenty-first of the same month Rev. Elisha G.
Cobb, then pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church in Peekskill, N. Y.,
was called, and on the sixth of December, 1866, was installed pastor by a
council of which Rev. Zachary Eddy, D.D., was moderator. Prof.
William S. Tyler of Amherst College preached the installation sermon.
The original church building cost about four thousand dollars. It
was divided into two parts, the rear, entered by a side door, being used
for Sunday-school and prayer meetings. In 1864 a separate building was
130 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
erected for a chapel, and the entire church made into one audience room.
The cost of the chapel building and changes in the church was about
three thousand dollars. In 1877 a kitchen and parlors were added to the
chapel at a cost of about three thousand dollars more. These rooms
have been of great advantage in developing the social life of the congre-
gation. The evening sociables, under the auspices of our Ladies' Benevo-
lent Society, have furnished occasions for the introduction of strangers,
mutual acquaintance, and a happy association of children with our
church life. In 1878 the church was frescoed within, an organ recess
built, and a new organ placed in the rear of the pulpit. The cost of this
organ was eleven hundred dollars, toward which the old one counted for
one hundred and twenty-five dollars. The cost of the other improve-
ments was about four hundred and twenty-five dollars. While these
repairs were going on the congregation worshiped in the church parlors,
and were comfortably accommodated. This chapel and parlors were en-
tirely destroyed by fire February thirteenth, 1885, and the present chapel
building was erected on the same site during the following summer, at a
cost of four thousand five hundred dollars for the building, and seven
hundred and thirty dollars for furnishing. As the former building was
insured for four thousand six hundred dollars, the additional cost of this
one was six hundred and thirty dollars. In the summer of 1890 the
church edifice was extensively repaired within and without. New win-
dows, new pews, new lighting, new furniture, and a new finish have
given us our present tasteful and comfortable sanctuary. The cost of
this improvement has been about four thousand dollars.
By examining the record it will be seen by the numbers joining by
profession that this church has been favored with seasons of special
religious awakening about once in four years. These seasons generally
began with the week of prayer, and have greatly strengthened the church
by bringing in successive companies of new members. The largest
number uniting by profession at any one time was in 1885, when fifty-one
were received. At ten other times from fifteen to forty have been
received. The work of these special seasons has always been done by
the members with their minister, except in 1885, when Rev. Rufus
Underwood, an evangelist, assisted for two weeks. The whole number
of members from the beginning to January first, 1895, is seven hundred
and seventy-two, of which three hundred and ninety joined by pro-
fession, and three hundred and eighty-two by letter.
If it should seem to any that more space is given in this sketch to the
buildings than to spiritual work, it is because the material part can
better be put into figures. Christian transformation of character and
the divine tempering of spirit which sweeten the life that now is, and
RELIGIOUS HISTORV.
139
prepare us for that which is to come, are more precious than silver
and gold. What has been our success in this direction in the thirty years
of our church life now completed cannot be stated in words or figures.
We believe it has been as great as our faithfulness has deserved, and that
it will endure in glory immortal when all trace of these material struc-
tures shall have vanished.
1866-1891.
1!y Frank N. Look.
A pastorate of twenty-five years does not come to the lot of many
ministers at the present time. Conditions of life now change rapidly,
and mere custom ceases to be the dominating influence, as of old, in
deciding many of our problems and
relations. Such a pastorate marks
both the minister and people. Be
the church really alive to all its
possibilities, and in vital sympathy
with them, qualities of mind and
heart are at once demanded of the
pastor, that not all possess.
A progressive church demands
a progressive minister, having full
sympathy with it, in all of its work.
To work thus unitedly for twenty-
five years manifests many great and
admirable qualities, and hearty
cooperation of pastor and people.
Such a service could not be limited
to the immediate members of the
church itself, and the expression of
interest on the part of all of the
people of Florence, when, on Octo-
ber twenty-second, 1891, the quarter
centennial of the pastorate of the
Rev. E. G. Cobb was commemorated, bore striking testimony to this fact.
His service had been to the people, irrespective of creed or nationality.
It was a normal pastorate, for it had grown more happy, more fruitful,
and more useful every year.
The history of this church, covered by this quarter of a century,
includes many days of uncertainty and of opposition, difficult for the
present generation to understand, but through the wise guidance of its
pastor, inspired by his love for all men, and his strong faith in God's
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
140
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
leading, the church has been molded into what it is, "liberal toward
everything good, and the good in everything."
No commemorative service could surpass this in expressions of joy
and thankfulness, for all that it represented.
Sons and daughters from afar joined in the rare celebration, and it is
a matter of great satisfaction that the life of Julius Phelps was spared
to extend the welcome of
the church at this time.
His long life in Florence,
being at that time the old-
est member of the church,
his keen observation, his
strong character, ripened
into all its fullness through
the example and counsel
of Mr. Cobb, especially
fitted him to be the voice
of the church itself.
The coming of Mr. Cobb
to Florence had always
seemed to him to have been
of divine leading, and the
joys of the occasion were heightened because of the presence of the ven-
erable and beloved Professor Tyler of Amherst, through whom the
church was brought to know of Mr. Cobb in 1866. Said Professor Tyler,
at the close of his very interesting address, " Let me give you the right
hand of fellowship for another twenty-five years. I shall not be living
when you reach that goal, but I hope to be among the great cloud of
witnesses who will look down from heaven," and the people said "Amen."
The Rev. H. C. Hovey, the first pastor of the church, brought cordial
greeting and interesting reminiscences of the early life of the church.
Dr. David Torrey, the early pastor of Mr. Cobb, and his lifelong
friend, spoke in his brilliant and fascinating manner, of the early life of
Mr. Cobb, and of the happy results of his pastorate.
Mr. A. L. Williston, ever the friend of pastor and church, to whom
more than to any other man the Florence Church has always turned for
counsel and for aid, gave a very valuable history of the period covered
by this twenty-five years, as well as of the years preceding. The results
of this pastorate were made possible largely through the quiet, constant,
and faithful work of the wife of the pastor. Her genuine interest in the
young men and boys, particularly, her love for them, has made men of
large numbers of them. Her Sunday-school class, like the church, has
;ON~GREGATIONAL CHAPEL.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
141
always had a changing membership, having been as a training school,
fitting young men for wider activities, for a broader life.
That many were not able to be present, but sent their tributes of
congratulation and thankfulness, for the memory of her work, showed
that in the work of life they were bearing their part with heart stronger
for conflict, and with mind clearer because of the teachings and example
received from Mrs. Cobb.
Letters from friends far and near, full of congratulations and good
wishes, and gifts to both pastor and wife, expressed the love of the
NEAR THE RIVER "LOVERS' LANE."
people for them, for " how much the faithful pastor and his equally
faithful wife have done in molding and influencing the intellectual,
moral, and spiritual life of the community." Could such heartfelt
tributes produce other result than at the close of the day, when Mr.
Cobb so appropriately expressing his appreciation, said, " I give you my
most hearty thanks and offer myself afresh to the service of the Lord in
this church."
Three years more of this pastorate have passed since this silver wed-
ding, and stand as an auspicious omen for the attainment of the second
quarter century, the golden wedding of this rich and happy union.
142
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
METHODISM IN FLORENCE.
By Mary E. Gould.
Early in the history of Florence, Methodists held preaching services ;
they were indeed the first to hold a Sunday service, the people being
obliged to go to Northampton to worship in the earliest days. In 1848
we have record that Rev. Thomas Marcey preached here, though not as
an appointed pastor ; but in
1855 Rev. Jonas M. Clark was
appointed by the New England
Conference, pastor of the Flor-
ence Methodist Church, which
had then twenty-five mem-
bers. A flourishing Sabbath-
school was held, of which J.
B. Whitehouse was superin-
tendent ; A. G. Hill, secretary ;
and H. B. Haven, librarian.
The library was the gift of a
patient at Dr. Munde's water
cure.
The following year the
Northampton pastor supplied
the Florence and Leeds
churches ; and in 1857 Rev.
John Noon was stationed here,
and services were held in the
North schoolhouse, on the
corner of Meadow and Park
streets, now occupied by M. C.
Howard's paint store. The business panic of 1857-8 made it difficult to
pay the preacher's salary and for that or unknown reasons no pastor
came to take Mr. Noon's place, and the church disappeared.
Eighteen hundred and seventy marks the beginning of the present
society ; in the summer of that year, James E. Smith and Mr. and Mrs.
J. W. King started a Methodist prayer meeting at the home of the latter,
a brick house on Maple street which was torn down to be replaced by
Contractor Latham's stone residence. So much interest was manifested in
the prayer meeting that a class meeting was started. Both meetings soon
outgrew private houses and a hall in Little's block was rented, where
Sunday services were also held, with preaching by the Methodist minis-
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 143
ter from the Northampton church, Rev. J. S. Whedon ; later two
Wesleyan Academy students, who were preparing for the ministry, came
on alternate Sabbaths to conduct the services. One of them, Rev.
George Sanderson, was afterwards stationed here.
The hall in Little's block soon became too small, and in January,
1S71, Davis Hall was rented and a church formally .organized, the con-
ference in April appointing Rev. Thomas W. Bishop, the first pastor.
Rev. Bishop served the church most acceptably for two years, during
which time the land for the present church was purchased and plans for
the building made by Architect Thayer, of Boston, and the membership
of the society increased from twenty-one to seventy-five.
Rev. William H. Cook was pastor from 1873 to 1875 ; during his
pastorate the church was erected and the vestry finished and dedicated.
The dedicatory exercises were held September 30, 1874. Rev. D. Richards
of Northampton, Rev. E. G. Cobb, H. K. Parsons, and the pastor took
part in the dedication, and Rev. R. R. Meredith preached on the sub-
ject, " Divine Origin of Christianity." After the sermon, Rev. George
Whittaker, then presiding elder of Springfield district, made an appeal
for subscriptions and secured eight hundred dollars. At the evening
session Rev. E. R. Thorndike, of Williamsburg, read the opening hymn.
Rev. N. H. Martin offered prayer, and addresses were made by Rev.
Messrs. E. G. Cobb, George Whittaker, John A. Cass, and T. W. Bishop.
Rev. Raymond F. Holway followed Mr. Cook. He was greatly
beloved by the people, and during his three years' stay fifty were added
to the church and much accomplished for the spiritual and intellectual
life of the people. Rev. Frank Bowles began raising the church debt,
which Rev. George Sanderson, who came to the church in April, 1880,
continued with so much zeal and such indefatigable labor that thirty-
four hundred dollars was raised and the property freed from debt. Not
content with this he believed the church might be finished and began
collecting funds for that purpose, and work on the audience room of the
church was begun. At this time, Rev. M. C. Chapin built a parsonage
to be the unincumbered property of the society on the death of himself
and wife. At the close of Rev. Sanderson's three years pastorate, resolu-
tions were adopted commending his faithful labors, and thanking him
for the zeal and energy he had so unsparingly used for the good of the
church.
Rev. A. J. Hall, in 1883, continued the work of raising funds for the
completion of the church, and it was dedicated, free of debt, June 5, 1884.
Bishop Mallalieu preached from Acts ii., ^^. Rev. Dr. Ela, Rev. Henry
Matthews, Rev. A. C. Hussey, Rev. N. Fellows, then presiding elder, and
others took part in the dedicatory service, and Rev. George Sanderson
144
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
preached most acceptably the following Sabbath. Brother Hall is espe-
cially remembered for his faithful pastoral work, the poor and sick find-
ing in him a sympathizing friend.
Rev. J. F. Allen was pastor from 1885-1888, and won the confidence
of the whole community, though he did not hesitate to take an aggres-
sive attitude on the subject of intemperance, and other evils. He secured
a fine pipe organ for the church, and acted for a while as superintendent
of the Sabbath-school. Rev. A. W. Mills, who followed Rev. Allen, is
now pastor of a prominent Brooklyn church ; and Rev. A. R. Nichols was
stationed here from 1889 to 1891. During his second year he married
Adella Shepherd, who had for some time been a resident of Florence.
Rev. John Peterson changed the hour of the preaching service from
2 p. M. to 10.30 a. m., and the Sabbath-school session now follows at
CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION.
11.45. The faithfulness of his service here is remembered by all the
people. In the winter of 1892 the Christian Crusaders held meetings in
the vestry with good results. Rev. George F. Durgin began his pastoral
relation with the people in April, 1893, being succeeded the following
year by Rev. W. F. Stewart.
Among those who have been notable in their support of the church
and are now in the church triumphant, are Adna Back, Ebenezer Nut-
ting, M. C. Chapin, H. K. Parsons, and Frederick W. Moore ; while
many are still living who have endured hardness as good soldiers, that
the gospel might be preached from the " corner church."
RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 1 45
The church sustains, besides the Sabbath-school and preaching serv-
ices, prayer-meetings on Sunday and Friday evenings, class meetings on
Wednesday evening of each week, an Epworth League, Mission Band,
Ladies' Aid Society, and Woman's Foreign Missionary Society.
THE CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION.
By Rev. P. H. Gallen.
For many years the Catholics of Florence attended service at North-
ampton. When their number increased sufficiently, a request by them
for a separate parish was granted by Bishop O'Reilly, and Rev. Cornelius
Foley was appointed the first rector in 1S78. The new parish included
Leeds, Haydenville, and adjoining districts. For some time the services
were conducted in one of the halls of Florence, but the desire for a new
church grew stronger, and the present site was purchased.
Great enthusiasm was displayed by the young and rapidly growing
parish, and much encouragement was extended by the leading citizens
of other churches^who, with characteristic liberality, subscribed to the
undertaking. Rev. Mr. Foley having been sent elsewhere by the bishop,
the work of building the church and of perfecting the parish organiza-
tion was assumed by Rev. P. F. Callery. Few outside of the clergy
comprehend how exacting and laborious such a work is. All the respon-
sibility is thrown upon the rector, and to a sensitive nature the burden
sometimes is very hard to bear. It weighed heavily on Father Callery.
However, in a comparatively short time success attended his efforts, and
the present church was dedicated October third, 1880. Since that time,
the society has been undergoing the process of development as regards
organization and usefulness. Strenuous efforts were made from time
to time by the rector and people to pay the debt contracted in building;
societies were formed, and the usual work of a Catholic parish was car-
ried forward with considerable success. It was interrupted for a time
by the death of Father Callery, whose genial nature had greatly endeared
him to his people. His many sterling qualities of head and heart were
recognized by those outside his church as well, and much sorrow was
felt by the community in general at his death. His remains are at rest
near the entrance to the church.
For seven years Father Callery had been ably assisted in the work by
Rev. J. J. McMahon, his curate, and greatly to the satisfaction of the
people he was appointed rector in August, 1886. For a few years only
did he fill the position, until death called him. Scarcely less was he
mourned than his predecessor had been. Young and apparently vigor-
146
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
ous, with a thorough knowledge of the wants of the parish, a pleasant,
affable manner, and most winning personality — great hopes were centered
in him. His death, in March, 1889, at the early age of thirty-three, was
a severe blow to his people. He was
buried in Fitchburg, Mass. Other
priests formerly stationed in Flor-
ence as curates were Rev. James
Boyle, now rector of Ware, Mass.,
and Rev. Thomas Lucey, curate at
the Center.
Father McMahon was succeeded
in April, 1889, by Rev. P. H. Gallen,
the present rector. He was born in
Milford, Mass., March 17, 1855, edu-
cated in the public schools, and
made the higher studies under the
Jesuits and Franciscans. He was
ordained at Springfield in May,
1881, and his first appointment was
to St. John's Church, Worcester.
The following year he was sent to
Sacred Heart Church, Holyoke,
where he remained until May, 1883,
thence to St. Paul's, Worcester, where he spent six years.
The present condition of the Catholic society in Florence is fairly
satisfactory. Its membership has increased from a few families in the
early days to nearly one thousand two hundred souls. The moral stand-
ing of its members is not inferior to any class in the community, and in
business integrity and general intelligence they are second to none. The
old feeling of distrust toward the church they represent has disappeared,
let us hope, forever, and they are now ready and anxious to promote the
good fellowship that tends to united moral action in all matters pertain-
ing to the welfare of the community.
ALTAR OF CATHOLIC CHURCH.
THF FREE CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY.
By Henry 15. Haven.
The Free Congregational Society of Florence really had its founda-
tion in the days of the " old Community." After that organization dis-
solved there was no society to assume the support of regular services, but
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
147
for sonic years private enterprise sustained regular speaking, until, in
1863, the following call was issued : —
"To the people of Florence and vicinity: All interested in the promotion of
good morals, general education, and liberal religious sentiments, whether Catholic
or Protestant, or of whatever sect, creed, or nationality, are invited to meet at the
South schoolhouse, on Tuesday, May third, 1863, at three and one-half o'clock,
p. \i.. to organize arrangements for the better attainment of the objects above
named."
At this meeting an organization was formed under the following
Articles of Agreement : —
" We, the undersigned, inhabitants of Florence and its vicinity, in the town of
Northampton, wishing to avail ourselves of the advantages of associate effort for
COSMIAN HALL.
our advancement in truth and goodness, and for the promotion of general intel-
ligence, good morals, and liberal, religious sentiments, do hereby agree to form
ourselves into a body corporate, under the name of the ' Free Congregational
Society of Florence.'
" Respecting in each other — and in all — the right of intellect and conscience
to be free, and holding it to be the duty of [every one to keep his mind and heart
at all times open to receive the truth and follow its guidance, we set up no theo-
logical condition of membership, and neither demand nor expect uniformity of
doctrinal belief ; asking only unit}- of purpose to seek and accept the right and
true, and an honest aim and effort to make these the rule of life. And, recogrniz-
148
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
ing the brotherhood oi the human race and the equality oi human rights, we make
no distinction as to the conditions and rights of membership in this society, on
account oi sex, or color, or nationality."
To these Articles of Agreement, thirty-three active, earnest, and
thoughtful men and women subscribed, and the society, established upon
the principles as indicated in its Articles of Agreement, commenced its
work.
Upon the first organization of the society its meetings were held in the
South schoolhouse, but in April, 1864, it began to hold its meetings in
Florence hall and chapel,
which were rooms made for
their special use in the new
schoolhouse which Mr. S. L.
Hill had just built for the use
of Warner school district, and
to which he gave the property,
reserving, in his gift of the
building, the two rooms above
mentioned, and a third room
for a library and reading-
room, for a term of ten years.
The use of these three rooms,
which occupied the whole of
the second story of the present school building, he gave to the society
for its use, for the time lie controlled them.
Near the expiration of this ten years, all the rooms in the building
being required for the increasing size and number of the schools in the?
village, it was decided to build a hall, not only adequate for all the uses of
the society, for its Sunday services, Sunday-school, and social gatherings,
but of a capacity and design suitable for all general public meetings
liable to be called for in a village of the size, enterprise, and public spirit
of Norence. The result is Cosmian Hall, a noble edifice, built in a com-
manding location, with ample arrangements lor the general uses of the
public in its main hall, with a seating capacity of nearly seven hundred, with
large stage and abundant stage appointments, including organ and grand
piano. This hall has been opened on all occasions of general public-
interest, celebrations, and anniversaries, for the people's use, without any
expense to them or the town.
Cosmian Hall was dedicated in 1 «S 7 4 , and cost about forty thousand
dollars, — Mr. S. L. Hill contributing much the larger part, Mr. A. T.
Lilly, about ten thousand dollars, and the balance by subscription in the
societv. In 1893, a platform for the choir was built to the right of the
PROSCENIUM AKC1I — COSMIAN HALL.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY
'49
stage, and the capacity of the organ was nearly doubled. The lower
story contains lower Cosmian Hall, and connecting recitation rooms for
use of Sunday-school and other purposes, also double parlors, with
adjoining kitchen accommodations for use of the Industrial Union.
For some years previous to the organization of the society, Mr. C. C.
Burleigh was a regular lecturer, supported by private enterprise, and he
remained the resident speaker after its organization, for ten years. Miss
Elizabeth M. Powell, now Mrs. Elizabeth Powell Bond, officiated as
assistant in 1871 and 1872, succeeded by Mr. Roland Connor in the last
named year, until Mr. Burleigh resigned in [873, when Mr. Connor
became resident speaker for one year. David II. Clark was resident
speaker for three years, to 1878. Mr. W. II. Spencer and Mrs. Anna
Garland Spencer jointly held the office from 1881 to 1884, Mrs. Elizabeth
Powell Pond from 1884 to 1886, and Rev. F. A. Hinckley has been the
minister since September first, 1888.
During various times, in which the society has not had a regular min-
ister, the desk has been
supplied by some of
the best speakers from
the liberal and reform ^."Z — ,:■;■ liw
ranks, among others: >\ ' ^H|\ ,?. :'u .
Theodore D. Weld, A. ''■ V
Hronson Alcott, Sam-
uel Longfellow, Fred-
erick Douglass, Wil-
liam Lloyd Garrison,
Ralph Waldo Emerson,
John W. Chad wick,
Felix Adler,and George
W. Cable ; the design
being to secure the representation of all phases of sincere thought on
moral and religious subjects.
The position of the society cannot be better stated than from an
extract from its executive committees' reports. "This society believes
that in this free interchange of thought and ideas, and in the hospitality
that is willing to listen to diverse religious theories, is the surest promise
of the truth that maketh free, which Lord Bacon pronounces 'the
sovereign good of human nature.' "
The minister is not, like the minister or pastor of most religious socie-
ties, pledged to advocate and defend a formal statement of faith. He is
under no intellectual bonds. He is at liberty to express freely his latest
thought, and it is understood he speaks only for himself.
■•
ENTKANI'K TO COSMIAN IIAI.L.
150 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
From the first organization of the society the Sunday-school has been
sustained with success and usefulness, as a very important branch of the
work of the society. It is held in the forenoon of each Sunday, and is
opened with singing and responsive reading, followed, first, by class
work, and then by general exercises, including a talk by the superin-
tendent. There are at present classes in the study of the life of Jesus,
the life and work of Paul, and a class of adults in the economic and
moral bearings of political economy. The little folks, of whom there are
three classes, receive moral instruction by means of illustrated cards.
A very useful adjunct to the society is the Ladies' Industrial Union,
composed of the ladies of the society and others, who, during the winter,
hold semi-monthly afternoon meetings in the parlors, doing such work in
the line of sewing as is presented, and afterwards in providing a supper
for such members of the society as care to attend, followed by a social
evening, which may include dancing. The Union yearly turns into the
general expense fund some hundreds of dollars as the result of their
work.
One of the first works of the society after its organization was the
establishment of a free public library and reading room, in one of the
rooms provided by Mr. Hill's liberality for that purpose. Subscriptions
of books were liberally made by the members of the society, Mr. Hill
buying hundreds of volumes for the purpose, and a good library and
reading room was maintained by the society for the general public, for
several years ; eventually laying the foundation of the present Florence
branch of the public library.
The Free Congregational Society of Florence was one of the first
religious bodies to organize on a platform of entire free thought and free
speech. It may not be amiss to state here that the two largest contrib-
utors and active supporters of this society have not confined their bene-
factions to it exclusivelv. but have devised their property so all the
people of the village are receiving the benefit of it : Mr. S. L. Hill in
the building and gift to the village of the fine large schoolhouse and
later by his endowment of the kindergarten, and Mr. A. T. Lilly by his
gift of the Lilly Library, and five thousand dollars for books for the use
of the village, and his large estate to the trustees of the Florence kinder-
garten, to be used for educational purposes.
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
THE FLORENCE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
By William D. Miller.
Until 1866 Northampton was divided into school districts. The
town, in town meeting assembled, elected a general committee of six
who had the general oversight of the schools. Each district had a com-
plete organization of j»> ,
its own, built and
took charge of its
buildings and hired
its teachers. The
chief executive offi-
cer was a prudential
c o m m ittee. The
town raised a certain K
amount of money
for the support of
the schools, and
divided it among
the districts, which
raised any addi-
tional amount required by direct tax upon the inhabitants of the district,
or by subscription. The district including Florence was called the
" Warner district." Leeds was known as " Rail Hill district."
The earliest written record that can be found begins with the year
1845, but the printed town reports date back to 1838. The first school-
house in the Warner district was a one-room, wooden building on North
Main street, in the southeast corner of the farm now owned by Mr. John
F. Warner, and near Mr. J. L. Campbell's house. Traces of its founda-
tion can still be found near a large maple tree.
Sometime between 1825 and 1830, the voters in the eastern part of
the district outnumbered those in the western part, and the schoolhouse
was moved to what is now the center of the village, and located on the
corner of Park and Meadow streets, near the cemetery. This caused so
much dissatisfaction in the western part that a school was for some time
maintained bv the Warner families in their houses, at their own expense,
THE SECOND SCHOOLHOUSE IN THE "WARNER DISTRICT."
i52
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
and later a schoolhouse was built by them on the corner of North Main
street and Bridge road, the foundation of which still remains. So far as
is known, the town did not aid in the support of this school. The build-
ing was afterwards moved to the east side of Park street, and is now
the first house south of the late Mr. A. W. Shumway's.
Under date of February sixth, 1846, the following is found in the
district record book : —
" Voted, To build a schoolhouse the coming season, by unanimous vote.
" Voted, To build a one-story house.
" Voted, That individuals by subscription can have the privilege of putting on
an additional story if there be money enough raised by subscription to defray the
expense of the same.
" Voted, That it be at or near the place where the old schoolhouse now
stands."
The " old schoolhouse " mentioned was the one that had been moved
from North Main street and placed on the corner of Park and Meadow
streets. This house was sold to Nathan Olney for twenty-six dollars, and
moved to the corner where the Methodist church now stands. When
this church was built, the house was moved a few rods to the south, and
now forms a part of the house occupied by Mr. Austin Allis. It appears
that individuals did not take advantage of the privilege offered them of
putting on an additional story, as a one-story brick building was erected
at a total cost of $487.82, which building now forms the lower story of
the building occupied by Messrs. Howard & Rice. This was afterwards
known as the " North schoolhouse."
The first account entered in the record book shows the expenses of
the district for the year 1845-6 to have been $94.45. The next year the
expenses were $148.74, the teacher receiving $2.50 a week, and the district
paying $1.25 a week for her board. An item showing the cost of wood
at that time is — "One half cord hard wood, $1.25." Another, showing
the price paid for labor, — " For sawing and splitting two cords wood,
$1.00."
April thirtieth, 1845, a committee was appointed to see about the
expenses of a new schoolhouse or an addition to the old one. This
committee recommended building a new schoolhouse. The report was
adopted and a building committee appointed, which built a one story
brick building near the northeast corner of the present High school
building at a total cost of $774.15. Mr. Hill furnished seats and outline
maps at his own expense. This was known as the South schoolhouse.
Besides the main room there was a small square addition opening
into it, which was known as the stove room, and contained a large box
stove, designed to warm the larger room. One who was there says it
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
*53
often was so cold in the main room that the pupils took turns in going
into the stove room to get warm.
One winter a man was hired to teach geography by singing the
names of capitals, capes, etc., to popular tunes. The following was a
verse sung to the tune of Yankee Doodle : —
•' Mr. Brewster went one day
From Cape North to Gloucester Haw
To bid Farewell to a certain man
Whose name was Mr. Walsingham."
The whole school sung while one pupil pointed out the places on the
map as they were named.
At this time there was no public building in Florence and the school-
house was used as a
public hall and for re-
ligious services.
The space between
the teacher's desk and
the seats was utilized
for dances, the gentle-
men paying three cents
apiece for the services
of a violinist.
The ground in front
of the schoolhouse,
which is now occupied
by the Congregational
church and chapel, was
covered with a thick
growth of pine trees,
through which a foot-
path led to the school-
house. The present
school yard was used
as a lumber yard for
the mill below, and
there is a tradition that one of the committee from Northampton, a good
old doctor, while trying to guide his sleigh among the logs to the school-
house, tipped over, much to the amusement of the boys ; but this acci-
dent did not prevent his going to sleep in the warm schoolroom and
sleeping through his entire visit.
HIGH SCHOOL F.UILDING.
J54
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
Concerning the school grounds, the following report of a committee
in 1855 is given : —
" In the school yards we behold a barren waste in regard to which the public
appear to take no other interest than in making it a common wood and lumber
yard. Catching their inspiration by means of such influences from without,
added to the gloom, monotony, and too often uninteresting performances within,
we need not wonder if the children consider the schoolhouse as an old Bastile
and show their utter contempt for the whole system by cutting up the benches
and throwing stones at the windows."
About the same time the committee passed the following vote : —
" Voted, That the prudential committee be authorized to notify the parents of
children to visit the school each week, two from each family."
The record does not state whether this plan was carried out by the
people of the district. The younger pupils went to the North school-
house, the older or more advanced to the South. A sweeping list was
kept and the pupils took turns in sweeping the rooms.
In i860 the annual expense had risen to four hundred and fifty-three
dollars. In the winter of
1859-60, D. W. Bond taught
sixteen weeks for five dollars
a week. At this time (i860),
it was voted to sell the North
schoolhouse and build a new
one near the South school-
house, and a committee ap-
pointed to prepare plans and
estimates reported that a
substantial two story brick
building thirty-four by sixty
feet could be built for four
thousand dollars, and recom-
mended that both school-
houses be sold and the pro-
ceeds put into a new one.
No action was taken until
1862, when Mr. S. L. Hill
offered to raise by subscription such a sum as, added to the proceeds
lrom the sale of the old buildings, would make up one thousand five hun-
dred dollars, on condition that the district raise one thousand dollars by
direct tax, and the town appropriate one thousand five hundred dollars.
This the town refused to do, and the district voted to postpone the mat-
ter indefinitely.
OLD PINES, NEAR SCHOOLHOUSE, IN 1875.
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
'55
In 1S63 Mr. Hill offered to build a schoolhouse himself if the district
would raise two thousand dollars by direct lax and give him both the
old buildings, he to retain the use of the second story for ten years, after
which time the whole building should be used for school purposes. The
offer was accepted, and Mr. Hill built the present schoolhouse at a cost
of over thirty-three thousand dollars
above the amount raised by the dis-
trict. At a district meeting held March
21, 1865, a resolution was passed which
expressed in the strongest terms the
gratitude of the people for this splen-
did gift.
The name of the district was
changed to Florence in 1865, and in
1866 the district system was abolished
and the present system adopted. As
the school buildings of the Florence
district were worth more than the
buildings in the other districts, upon
taking possession of the school prop-
erty the town paid the Florence dis-
trict a certain amount of money,
which was paid by making a pro rata reduction in the taxes for that
year of the inhabitants of the district.
Mr. Hill believed that a superintendent of schools was necessary, and
in 1868 offered to pay five hundred dollars towards the salary of one, if
the town would pay the balance. The offer was accepted, and the five
hundred dollars paid by Mr. Hill for four years.
The introduction of music into the public schools met with much
opposition, and in 1868 Mr. Williston and Mr. Hill hired Mr. Henry
Jones to teach music in the schools, as an experiment. He was afterward
hired by the town. The Free Congregational Society moved to Cosmian
Hall in 1S74, and Mr. Hill surrendered the entire building to the use of
the schools. The second story has been divided into rooms and the
heating arrangements altered ; otherwise, very little change has been
made since that time.
A list of the principals of the Florence schools : Miss Mary Bond,
appointed 1865 ; Miss Chiara A. Curtis (Plimpton), 1868 ; Miss Susie L.
Leach, 1S70 ; Miss Mary E. Hester, 1874; Miss Sarah A. Hunt, 1875 ;
Mr. Asa B. Copeland, 1876 ; Mr. Charles S. Palmer, 18S0 ; Mr. W. F.
Nichols, 1881 ; Mr. W. M. Green, 1882 ; Mr. George A. Hoadley, 1883;
Mr. William D. Miller, 1886.
l'INE STREET SCHOOLHOUSE.
156 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
THE KINDERGARTEN.
One of the institutions which has given to Florence a more than
local fame is the kindergarten. Established in 1876, it was one of the
pioneer institutions of the kind in the country. At a time when in our
large cities such an institution existed only for the favored few, the
children of wealth, and occasionally in connection with mission work for
the very poor, the little village of Florence enjoyed the distinction of
having a well equipped kindergarten which was thoroughly democratic,
knowing no high and no low, no rich and no poor.
In 1884-86 Mrs. Leland Stanford opened, in San Francisco, six kin-
dergartens as memorials of her beloved son, Leland Stanford, Jr., but it
was not until 1891 that they were endowed, so that up to that time the
Florence institution was probably the only endowed kindergarten in the
country. It is still one of the few kindergartens with a building of its
own, planned with special reference to its needs, and having spacious
lawn and playgrounds.
To speak of the Florence kindergarten is to be reminded of Samuel
L. Hill, whose generous benefaction to the village it is, and whose memo-
rial it will long remain. It is impossible to estimate the value of such
an institution to a community. There is striking testimony to the value
of kindergarten training in a recent report of the Golden Gate Kinder-
garten Association of San Francisco. After most careful investigation,
they fail to find among the juvenile offenders of that city the names of
any of the thousands who have been connected with the kindergartens,
and this in face of the fact that the kindergartens are located in the
districts which are the hotbeds of vice. The conditions are very differ-
ent here ; the children generally come from orderly homes, and yet it is
not necessary to be much upon our streets to realize that here as else-
where there is great need of an elevation of moral sentiment, and in this
direction the kindergarten is a vital force.
From the early days of Florence, Mr. Hill was deeply interested in
all efforts for the mental and moral advancement of its people, supply-
ing from his own means needed appliances for the schools, special teach-
ers, and even a school building. After his retirement from active business,
he gave much thought to educational problems, and pondered deeply
the question how best to help the youth of Florence to true and noble
manhood and womanhood. The more he pondered the subject, the
stronger grew his conviction that " the seed sown in life's early spring-
time takes deepest root." In those days, Elizabeth P. Peabody was one
of the few enthusiastic preachers of the kindergarten idea, and to her
Mr. Hill went for counsel. At his solicitation she came to Florence, and
IM. \ riONAL HISTORY.
'57
in a lecture at Cosmian Hall set forth the I'Yoebelian philosophy.
Whatever may have been the effect upon the minds of the majority of
her hearers, Mr. Hill, whose mind, by long consideration of the subject,
was prepared to apprehend the truth that was in her discourse, decided
to make trial of this new educational idea, and, with his usual prompt-
ness, he set about perfecting the necessary arrangements. A few weeks
later, in January, 1876, he opened in the parlors of his own house a kin-
dergarten. A brief trial was sufficient to conyince him that he had made
FLORENCE KINDERGARTEN.
no mistake and plans were made for a permanent home for the institu-
tion.
Meantime the numbers, fifteen at first, increased beyond the limits of
his parlors, and for a short time, pending the completion of the new
building, the sessions were held in lower Cosmian Hall. In December,
1876, the building was ready for occupancy, and there the children gath-
ered about their first kindergarten Christmas tree, laden with the simple
gifts which they had prepared for their friends.
The growth of the .kindergarten has been slow but steady. There
was at first a strong prejudice against it, in the minds of many, because
it was supposed to be a place where the children were allowed " to do
as they pleased," but this prejudice gradually vanished as it came to be
recognized that they did as they pleased because they pleased to do right.
The building erected was supposed to be sufficient for all possibility
i58
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
of growth, but not-
withstanding some
additions have been
made, it is now, 1894,
fairly outgrown, one
hundred and twenty
children having been
together for the morn-
ing exercises on many
a day of the past year,
and while in the be-
ginning two kinder-
gartners were suffi-
cient,eight or nine are
now employed.
In addition to the
regular kindergarten
classes, there is a con-
necting class, for ad-
vanced kindergarten
and primary work,
where the children are
prepared to enter the
second year of the
public school. Ses-
sions are from 9 a. m.
to 12 M. Visitors are
welcome at all times.
With characteristic
breadth of view Mr.
Hill desired that the
advantages of the kin-
dergarten should be
open to every child in
Florence ; at the same
time lie believed that
that is more highly
valued for which
some sacrifice ismade,
and he framed his
statement of terms to
meet both these re-
EDUC \ HON \i. His iok\
'59
quirements : "Parents and guardians whose children attend shall he
required to pay at the close of each term, such sum as each can afford
or is disposed to pay."
Increasing ill health made it expedient for Mr. Hill to leave home
immediately after the completion of the building ; he therefore appointed
a board of trustees to aid in the management and direction of the kin-
dergarten. The following passage occurs in his letter of appointment : —
"The object of the institution being, as you are aware, to promote a healthy
physical, intellectual, and moral development of young children, * * * there-
fore, in order that the advantages of the institution may be acceptably extended
to the people of the village generally, it is hereby made a condition of its direc-
tion and management that it shall be conducted unmixed with any ecclesiastical
or theological exercises."
By his will, he gave to the trustees property in trust, for the mainte-
nance of the kindergarten so long as it should seem to them expedient.
In 1884, by special act of the Legislature, the trustees were made a cor-
poration under the title, "Trustees of the Florence Kindergarten."
Although so greatly interested in the kindergarten, Mr. Hill was
never a visitor there. While it was in his own house, he sometimes
looked in at the open door, but the sight of so many children always
touched him, and he lingered but a moment. He was never happier,
however, than in listening to kindergarteners' reports of the proceedings,
and of the wise or quaint remarks of the youthful recipients of his fos-
tering care.
Upon the kindergarten wall hangs a fine crayon portrait of Mr. Hill.
On a certain day of each year, the children bring flowers to place before
the portrait, and sing songs of gratitude in memory of their benefactor,
whose name will be associated in their hearts with that of another friend
and benefactor of children, Friedrich Froebel.
MANUAL TRAINING.
By Rev. Frederic A. Hinckley.
Northampton enjoys the distinction of being the first place in the
country to adopt on a systematic basis the principle of manual training
in its public schools of the Primary and Grammar grades. For some-
what over two years the system which now bears the name of our city
has been in operation here, and it has become an integral part of our
school work. It was first adopted experimentally in the schools of
Florence, and the enthusiasm of Florence teachers and pupils was among
the earliest factors in its success. It had long been the desire of educa-
i6o
HISTORY Oh' FLORENCE.
tors that something should be done to bridge over the chasm between
the hand work of the kindergarten and the shop work of manual train-
ing schools of the High school grade. Our system does just that, on a
basis at once thorough, economical, and entirely American in its spirit
and methods. The material used is basswood and soft pine, the tools
are pencil, rule, jackknife, compasses, small hammer, screw-driver, gim-
let, gauge, and try-square, and
the work is all done in the school-
room and administered by the
regular teacher. As will be seen,
the jackknife is the only cutting
tool, and, so far as it is con-
cerned, the work is divided into
three sections, line cutting, sur-
face cutting, and cutting of sol-
ids. Fifty-one blue print plates
have been prepared which fur-
nish working drawings of the
entire course. About one thou-
sand six hundred children are
now taking the course in two
periods each week, of thirty
minutes each. The annual cost
to the city is about six hundred dollars, which sum is spent for material
and tools. All the work is dictated by the teacher, and drawing is made
a fundamental preliminary to cutting. At every stage the element of
original design is introduced and proves a most valuable and attractive
feature to children of all ages.
Among the many advantages of this kind of training in our public
schools are these : —
i. It furnishes a new channel of expression, appealing with special
benefit to those who do not find what they most need in abstract mental
processes.
2. It teaches accuracy of the mind in listening to the dictation ;
accuracy of the eye in observation ; accuracy of the hand in execution.
3. Through the formation of habits of accuracy in these ways, it
promotes general accuracy of thought and conduct.
4. It offers the fullest possible realization of object teaching by
associating thoughts and things ; the abstract with the concrete.
5. It appeals to the average child and commands the interest of the
worker without the temptation of rewards of merit on the one hand, or
the push of compulsion on the other.
TEMPERANCE HALL, PINE STREET.
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
161
To sum it all up, I may say with Mr. George W. Cable, after he had
carefully examined our last public exhibit : —
" Manual training- can be made in our public schools as materially
profitable as arithmetic and as spiritually refining ;is music."
THE FLORENCE LYCEUM.
By Judge Daniel W. Bono.
No history of Florence would be complete without an account of the
Florence Lyceum. It was not uncommon at this period, during the
winter months, for nearly every school district to have its debating
LILLY LIBRARY.
society. Everybody attended, and the old men and young took part in
the exercises. Some districts were more favored than others with resi-
dent debaters, but ever}'' district contained some who had ideas upon the
various questions discussed and were sufficiently interested to prepare
themselves for the debates, and who could express their thoughts with
force and oftentimes with elegance. After the debate by the debaters
who had selected, or been appointed upon, the affirmative or negative of
a question, an opportunity was given for " volunteers." The time from
seven to ten and sometimes till eleven o'clock was occupied. For days
162 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
after the meetings they were the topic of conversation throughout the
district, — the weight of the argument, the methods and manners of the
speakers, the merits of the question, all came in for a share of attention
and were talked over. No old time singing school could " hold a candle "
to the village lyceum, for the general interest the meetings created.
Florence was one of the localities that were fortunate in having a
number of men who could take their part in a lyceum debate during the
palmy days of its lyceum. Generally a declamation was given by some
young man ; frequently a young lady read a selection from a standard
author ; a paper was prepared, made up of articles written by people,
young and old, which its editor read at the meeting. After the paper
was read, the debate took place, and usually the exercises were enlivened
with some excellent singing by the Glee Club.
The meetings were held in the South schoolhouse, which was
"packed," — every seat was occupied, and all available standing room in
the building, including the entries, was crowded. The fact that the
people gathered to such an extent one evening in each week during the
winter shows the great interest taken in the meetings.
The Florence Lyceum differed from others at this time in one respect.
From the days of " the Community" established there, the village con-
tained men who held various opinions upon social and religious subjects.
In the Florence Lyceum, to avoid injuring the feelings of anyone, no
religious questions were discussed, and it was an unwritten law that
nothing should be said in debate which could wound the feelings of the
orthodox people upon religious subjects, and this law was rarely violated.
The men who took part in the debates in the Florence Lyceum were
all engaged in business, and their time and strength must have been
greatly exhausted in their special callings. None of them were " pro-
fessional " men ; at that time there was no doctor, lawyer, or clergyman
living in the village.
Joseph B. Whitehouse was prominent among the men who could
always be depended upon to take part in the debates. He was a very
pleasant speaker, his manner was deliberate, his sentences were well
formed, and his remarks were always interesting.
Deacon Julius Phelps was among the older men who took part in the
debates. He was not what would be termed a brilliant debater, but he
clothed his thoughts in well chosen words, expressed himself clearly,
logically, and without any attempt at display. Whenever he took part
he said something; his remarks did not consist in mere words.
D. G. Littlefield then lived in the village, and was another of the older
men who took part in the meetings, although not as generally as some
others. He was a man with clear, well defined ideas ; his suggestions
KIH'CATION \l HISTORY.
163
were always practical and to the point ; his manner was unusually good ;
tall, erect, and dignified in his bearing, earnest in his manner, with a good
voice, his remarks always received attention.
Morris Machol was probably the best educated member of the lyceum.
His German accent and imperfect English made it more difficult to
follow him, but
he was a good de-
bater, and always
received close
a 1 1 e n tion. He
made no attempt
at rhetoric or
eloquence, h i s
whole aim
seemed to be to
present a r g u -
ments, and this
he did with great
force, clearness,
and apparent
ease.
Leavitt Beals
probably en joyed
the debates more than any other member. He had considerable of
what would be called natural eloquence ; he seemed much interested in
the questions debated, and apparently took great pains to prepare him-
self for his part ; he would probably be called the most eloquent debater
in the lyceum.
James Flood was always prepared to debate, give a declamation, or
take part in the presentation of a play — comedy or tragedy. He was
Hamlet in the ghost scene, and his rendering of the declaration :
"Whither wilt thou lead me ? Speak ! I'll go no further," was enough
to bring any ordinary ghost to a standstill, and to be long remembered
by the audience. He was a great lover of eloquence and oratorical dis-
play, and seemed to cultivate this tendency ; nothing apparently suited
him better than to express some bit of history in a style which would
have done credit to a Fourth of July orator of " ye olden time."
E. Y. Foster was another member of the lyceum. While he did not
take so prominent a part in the debates as others, he was one of the
leaders in the dramatic exercises. His " Claude," in the " Lady of
Lyons," will be remembered by all who ever heard it. The cheap print
of the fair " Pauline," which he exhibited, while it did not do him much
INTERIOR LILLY I.IliRARY.
164
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
credit as an artist, gave him an opportunity to " play his part." His
ghost to Flood's Hamlet sent the cold chills over at least the younger
portion of the audience.
A. T. Lilly was a prominent member of the lyceum. He was a fre-
quent contributor to the paper. Few men could express themselves so
clearly, logically, and forcibly upon their feet, in the presence of an
audience, as he could, and when in earnest he exhibited much natural
eloquence.
William Bonney was one of the younger members. He was consid-
ered a talented young man, and displayed much ability as a public
speaker.
Edward Birge was another of the younger members, who frequently
FROM COSMIAN TOWER — SOUTHEAST.
wrote for the paper, was its editor a part of the time, and frequently
took part in the debates. He was also the leader of the Glee Club. He
was regarded as a strong, capable man. While he made no attempt at
display, he possessed good sense, was well informed, and had consider-
able literary ability.
There were others who took part in the debates, but who were less
prominent than those named. The Florence of that period was not the
Florence of to-day. Considering the number of inhabitants in the vil-
lage, and the opportunities for mental culture, the character of the
Florence Lyceum compared favorably with that of any other place, and
undoubtedly was instrumental in fostering the spirit of inquiry and love
of literature which exist in the village at the present time.
HISTORIC REMINISCENCES.
FLORENCE.
By Mks. IIflen T. Clark, Northumberland, Penn.
The hunted slave whose dusky, trembling form
Sank at your sheltering doors for one brief night,
Xe'er touched a fairer foothold in his flight
To lands where Freedom dwelt with northern storm.
Helpers of man ! The child of poverty
May rise, despair may hope, the dull may learn,
The wavering torch of genius brighter burn,
Where thought magnetic flows in impulse free.
Seekers for truth ! who deem that every soul
Should have its perfect meed of growth and light —
Not statelier than your Temple reared for Right
Rose classic fane where waves vEgean roll !
Dear, honored dead,* who wrought for brotherhood,
In golden deeds, in words of deathless power.
Not vainly did ye live your " crowded hour,"
And pour your souls out for the wide world's good !
Bright homes of thrift ! strong hearts and kindling eyes
Wherein the spirit of the Future thrills —
Encircled by your blue, eternal hills,
Draw strength and life from blue, eternal skies !
THE "UNDERGROUND RAILWAY."
By Joseph Marsh.
A COMPLETE history of the underground railway in Florence will
never be known. Those who ran it upon the principles of the brother-
hood of man did so at their peril. It is not strange that some, moving
within and being a part of the influence and inspiration of the com-
munistic spirit of Florence, should abhor slavery. Most of them had
S. L. Hill, A. T. Lilly, Charles C. Burleigh, Mary W. Bond and others.
l66 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
thrown off the bondage of superstition, and had peculiar sympathy
with those who were trying to free themselves.
One of the stations on the underground railroad was kept by Samuel
L. Hill. Be sure if anything of this kind was going on he would have a
hand in it. The account of it is best related by his son in his own words.
Florence, Mass., January 31, 1893.
Dear Mr. Marsh, —
Although I saw a good many passengers who were on the underground rail-
way, bound north, I remember few of the incidents that occurred. A good
many passengers stopped " five minutes for refreshments " at my father's, and
conductors were often changed here. On a few trips I was either conductor or
assistant conductor. Quite a number of the through passengers temporarily took
iip their abode in Florence, the balmy anti-slavery climate here proving very
attractive to them. After the forced return of Anthony Burns from Boston to
the Southern tyrants, the sojourners here became alarmed and pushed on to their
original destination, Canada. Father_Hensoii, one of the originals that furnished
particulars for Harriet Beecher Stowe's " Uncle Tom," came by this line on one
of his trips to Canada. I think that it was not his first trip, but that he had
been south again after some of his friends.
William Wilson was landed here, remained a few months, worked and earned
some money, returned south secretly, was gone quite a while, but finally reached
here again with a grown-up son, that he had been able to guide from slavery to
freedom. The two men hired a small tenement, were industrious, and worked
for anjobject. After they had saved money enough they went south to rescue
their daughter and sister. After a long absence the younger man returned, the
older one having been captured and returned to slavery. The younger was con-
fident that his father would again escape and decided to wait for him here. Sure
enough, ina little while the old gentleman and daughter came, and after a short
stay to rest and get a little money the whole party moved north to the queen's
dominions.
Many of the refugees, who were intelligent enough, became the talking centers
for our neighbors and sympathizers to gather around. I heard many a thrilling
story of brutality, suffering, and exciting adventures in the " leap for freedom."
Father's most frequent trip as conductor ran to the Kingman's in Cummington,
but occasionally our living freight was delivered at a Mr. Crafts' house in
Whately.
Sincerely yours,
Arthur G. Hill.
David Ruggles, a colored man who had edited a paper in New York
city called The Mirror, kept another station. On account of his activ-
ity there in conducting the underground railroad, he was roughly han-
dled, but was protected by the Tappans, Broken down in health, and
suffering a partial loss of eyesight, he came to Florence, and, by a skillful
home treatment upon hydropathic principles, he regained his health in
1 1 1 STO R I C K EM I N [SC KNC ES.
167
good measure, but not his eyesight. Rumor has made him the success-
ful conductor of many fugitives to a land of freedom. On one occasion,
Mr. Seth Hunt and David Ruggles induced Sheriff Ansel Wright, Si.,
to bring a slaveholder and a slave girl, whom he had brought into
Northampton, before Judge Charles A. Dewey. The judge gave the
woman to understand that having been brought by her master into a
free state, she was at liberty to leave him if she chose. Through fear of
her master, she declined to leave him. The sheriff incurred, in conse-
quence, quite offensive threats from the slaveholder.
Another station was kept by Mr. Austin Ross, who harbored a young
man about a year
and a half in one of
his chambers, em-
ployment being fur-
nished him as a night
watchman at Green-
ville cotton mill. His
name was Wilson3
and he must have
been the same man
whom Mr. Hill de-
scribes. Mr. Calvin
Fairbanks, who for
several years was a
citizen of Florence, was one of the heroes of this underground railroad,
although the scene of his exploits was not in this region. He was the
means of securing freedom to forty-seven slaves.
Among the active workers on this railroad was Mr. A. P. Critchlow.
He acted in concert with Mr. Hill, Mr. Hammond, and others, and fre-
quently gave the fugitives employment in his daguerreotype case fac-
tory. Here he did what he could to shield them and prevent recapture,
and one case may not be amiss to record. A slave named French
made good his escape, and sought rest in Florence. His master, or
master's half brother, a Mr. King, came to the water cure while in
pursuit of the runaway. Mr. Critchlow stayed with French a few
nights at the mill until King, being unable to find any trace of the
slave, left Florence to seek him elsewhere.
The details of the assistance rendered by Florence citizens to that
unfortunate race in their flight for freedom will never be recorded,
but enough is given here to show that Florence was not behind in this
good work.
RESIDENCE OK REV. E. G. GOBI:
1 68
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
THE FLORENCE DRAMATIC CLUB.
By Arthur G. Hill.
Among the many institutions of Florence worthy of notice is the
Dramatic Club, an organization dating back many years, and showing a
record that few amateur theatrical associations can rival. While the
tragedies of Shakespeare have not been essayed, and the terpsichorean
and nude drama have been across the other border, the range over which
the talent of this club has successfully roamed for over a quarter of a
century has been so extensive that the individual members of the club
have nearly as great a reputation, locally, as the leading actors who have
amused and startled the continent during the same period of time.
During the war of the rebellion, enacted in the years 1861-1865, a ^ve>
wide-awake Soldiers' Aid Society was maintained here by the loyal, gen-
erous hearted women of the village, which received and forwarded the
many contributions of clothing, delicacies, comforts, and money to the
valiant men at the battle front.
Many entertainments were presented in private houses, small halls,
the little old South schoolhouse, and, upon its completion, in the Florence
Hall, which existed for a time in the so-called high school building here.
The money received by the young people for these exhibitions was used
to good effect by the Soldiers' Aid Society in the performance of its
mission.
Bare walls were the only scenic effects of the first dramas, and the
costumes were very
crude. The first beard
was made from a por-
tion of an old buffalo
robe, or formed by a
smudge of the easily
obtained burnt bottle
cork. The first wig,
though not the hol-
lowed out half of a
w a te r melon, was
nearly as startling,
being silk waste sewed
on cotton cloth, and dipped into a dye vat, which, upon that occasion,
held magenta colored dye. A dirty lipped youth then passed for a
Romeo, and a magenta pated comedian was the omnipresent Irishman
with his carefully planned and clumsily executed blunders.
SOUTH MAIN STREET.
H IS I'ORIC R KM I N ISCENCliS.
169
•?-
THE NOTCH — CHESTNUT STREET WOODS.
A. T. Lilly, E. C. Gardner, and Mrs. F. P. Judd, each wrote little
plays which were early placed on the boards. The first real theater
plays brought out were the two farces " Box and Cox," and " The Two
Buzzards." James J. Kennedy, George T. Cutler, and Arthur G. Hill
were the actors in the first one, and the same youths, with Miss Kate B.
Judd and Miss Carrie Tayntor, appeared in "The Two Buzzards."
Soon after, the Florence Dramatic Club, with regular board of
officers, stage manager, consti-
tution, and by-laws, was regu-
larly launched to prey upon a
guileless public. To prevent
dissensions so likely to occur
in large membership, the club
was limited to ten gentlemen as
members, with such ladies as
should accept invitations to
assume characters in the dra-
mas. Any lady having once
acted with the club was thence-
forth a member as long as she
chose to be so considered.
C. C. Burleigh, Jr., one of the members, became noted as a painter,
and died abroad while perfecting himself in the art. The beautiful
scenery of the club, and the fine frescoing of Cosmian Hall were the
work of his brush. Eugene W. Presby, a member, has been for years a
stage manager of the Madison Square Theater of New York. W. L.
Wilcox has never appeared on the stage, but his faithful work in many
other directions has made him a valuable member.
In nearly every drama, it became necessary, to fill all the characters,
to have minor parts filled by others not members of the club. These,
however, were not considered as members, and had no voice in the man-
agement. Occasionally, as a vacancy occurred in the list, one of these
assistant actors who showed talent would be promoted to membership.
In no case did an actor receive a cent for his services, but all cash receipts
were devoted to charitable objects, or for better scenery, or outfit for the
club. Only the legitimate drama received the attention of the club, and
this was put upon the stage with all the care and attention to minor
details that the experience of the manager and his assistants could sug-
gest. The scenic effects were constantly improved upon as the club
grew in experience, and many a scene received a round of applause from
an appreciative audience for the evident care of its preparation.
The two entertainments, " The Two Buzzards " and " Eileen Oge,"
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
F. D. C.
cosira mi
FLORENCE,
WEDNESDAY£THURSDAY EYENINCS.
Jan. 20th & 21st, 1875.
Slieridan's Comedy,
of this club mark the two extremes of bare walls in the first to the exqui-
site landscapes with waterfalls and fountains of real water in the latter,
as great a contrast as the barnstorming plays of old England and the
" pump and real water " of " Vincent Crummies."
The initials, F. D. C, at the top of the posters was an assurance of a
good entertainment, and an election to the corps of actors was always
considered an honor, and one never de-
clined in a single instance. The following
were prominent actors, appearing fre-
quently in the dramas : George T. Cutler,
George A. Jencks, Joseph C. Martin,
Henry H. Bond, Maria L. Bond, William
L. Norton, Fred C. Shearn, Arthur G.
Hill, Walter S. Jencks, Sarah E. Jencks,
Emma Jencks, Kate B. Judd, Kate E. Hill,
Julia A. Bartlett, Carrie Haggert, Dwight
A. Ross, O. M. Smith, Nannie M. Worth,
DJosie Ridlon, and Lucy D. Cleveland.
The following among others also ap-
I''PvWll peared with credit at various times :
James J. Kennedy, Mr. and Mrs. George R.
Kennedy, Lemoyne and Cecil Burleigh,
Carrie Tayntor, Emily K. Hill, Ella How-
ard, Mary L. Fuller, Lucy B. Hunt, Mary
W. Hunt, Mr. and Mrs. William Patt,
Edward S. Bottum, John B. Bottum, Miss
Kyle, Carrie Clark, Eugene W. Presby,
Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Henry, E. A. Ells-
worth, John Eager, Fred C. Eager, Archi-
bald Hugh (an old Scotch actor), John
Brown, E. H. Martin, Mrs. Sanford, Mary
V. Ross, Charles Huxley, Annie W. Hill,
Effie Atkins, Olive Bodman, and Mary E.
Sheffeld.
The most noted production of the
club was probably " The School for Scan-
dal," with the beautiful Boston Museum
costumes adorning the actors. In this
play, the talented Henry H. Bond and sister appeared as "Sir Peter"
and " Lady Teazle"; E. H. Martin and George T. Cutler enacted the
characters of "Charles" and "Joseph Surface," and Mrs. Kate E. Hill
well portrayed the gossipy "Mrs. Candor."
Act.
1st,
5th
- Lady
Picture Gallery
Joseph
Sneerweli's
Sir Peter's
at Chas. 1
Surface's
Sir Peter's
Parlor.
Parlor.
Surface.
Library.
Parlor.
I'll
l ■
^f the™
ton Musi
- used ;ii
,!aj .ii ill
the r. ■
Tickets. i
Doors op
with F
!:_=">
red Seats. - - 3!
Entertainment commences
i Cents.
at 1 1-2.
at 7 ■
I'dotk,
F. D. C. HANDBILL.
HISTORIC REMINISCENCE.s. I 7 I
Other well executed presentations of the club were : " She Stoops to
Conquer," "The Golden Farmer," "The Country Squire," "The Drum-
mer Boy " (with the Northampton Grand Army Post), " Eileen Oge,"
" The Golden Fetter," " Rose of Ettrickvale," " Peep O' Day Boys,"
" The Ticket of Leave Man," "Caste," "Heir at Law," and " School."
Many other dramas have been produced by the club, but the above were
especially fine entertainments.
Pleasant interchanges have from time to time been made with the
POR S T Club of Northampton, the Easthampton Dramatic Club,
and the Casino Dramatic Club of Brightwood.
When Cosmian Hall was built, the construction of the stage and its
equipment were placed in the hands of members of this club, who visited
several theaters and adopted what they considered the best arrangements
then in use. The Grand Arm}' and other local organizations have fre-
quently drawn upon the Florence Dramatic Club for talent in the various
entertainments, and much of the success upon those occasions was due
to the borrowed talent. The club still has an existence, and still hopes
again to send forth its F. D. C. posters, its heralds, summoning its many
friends to the gatherings where the " mimic world " is portrayed by
amateurs who faithfully study to please and instruct.
THE SEWING MACHINE BAND.
By Edward Birge.
" Sometimes as one who almost grieves,
His memory would recall
The merrymaking Christmas eves,
The frolic, and the ball ;
Till his hands would shake like withered leaves,
And his pipe go out and fall."
— Alice Carv.
The " Florence Serenaders " served the music lovers of the village
many years. The dear old friends who " tripped the light fantastic " at
their playing, or listened to their voices or violins in the calm moonlight,
lovingly recall Sylvester Bosworth, Charles Strong, Nathan Vance,
Edson S. Ross, Henry Bottum, Elisha Jenney, George Graves, and Otis
Moody.
At the revival of trade and business after the great financial panic of
1857. a young man came to Florencefrom the old homestead in Hatfield.
He was immediately surrounded by a prominent " Serenader," who told
him that Godfrey's boarding house was once more established on a firm
172
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
basis, that the " winders " and " doublers " in the Nonotuck mill were
rapidly increasing, that something must be done, and now, under the
circumstances, what would he take? The boy replied, "I'll take one of
them, a winder, or a doubler, I don't care which." The " Serenader "
had to " tack," and naming over the violin, piccolo, flute, bass viol,
cornet, and triangle, asked him which instrument he would play. The
young man chose the triangle. Limits forbid more than the affirmation
that a corpulent alderman of Northampton to-day* owes his still rising
prosperity and popularity to
that triangle, and to that
boarding house.
The FlorenceCornet Band,
which was organized in the
summer of 1858, under the
instruction and leadership of
Mr. David Shields, was com-
posed of the following mem-
bers : Mr. Shields, leader,
Edward Birge, Andrew Fran-
zen, Thomas Bailey, Jerome
Mead, John Franzen, Edwin
Martin, and Oscar Eldredge.
The members, in the order above named, played respectively, 1st E}>
cornet, 2d E't cornet, Bi alto, E'i tenor, Bi tenor, Ei bass, snare drum, and
bass drum and cymbals. Mr. Eldredge was treasurer of the band. Each
member furnished his own instrument, and shared the other band ex-
penses equally. Mr. Shields' services as instructor were without com-
pensation. The band room was furnished by the brothers, Israel and
Orson Graves, at a very moderate charge.
Two " Bugle blasts for Liberty " were notable engagements for the
new band the first year ; the one, at an anti-slavery convention in Cum-
mington, early in the winter, and the other, the celebration in Florence,
of the anniversary of the West India emancipation on the first of August
following. Both of these events were successfully carried through by the
co-operation of the Free Religious societies in Florence and Cummington,
represented officially by Rev. Charles C. Burleigh, and Deacons Hill,
Hunt, Kingman, and Abells (giants of the earth in those days).
At five o'clock on a frosty morning of a Sunday in November, 1858,
the Florence Cornet Band and Glee Club were snugly stowed away in a
band wagon rattling over the hills to Cummington, twenty miles away,
SEWING MACHINE WORKS, FROM THE WEST, 1875.
*This article was written in 1892. — [Editor.
HIS fORIC RKMINISCENCES.
173
with Joel Abercrombie, a rare whip, holding the ribbons over four pranc-
ing steeds. Deacon Hill had mildly said to Dave that the band should
play one or two patriotic marches before leaving our village. Dear,
deluded deacon ! Dave would have done that anyway. But in conse-
quence of the mild suggestion, the man in the moon heard the serenade,
and the little, drowsy hamlet on the earth was aroused and terrified. A
better acquaintance with Dave taught the deacon the superfluity of any
mild hints. He never urged the band again, although he more than once
checked it, generously.
The first of August celebration followed close upon that terrible
calamity, the "boiler explosion." Our bass player, John Franzen, being
one of the three vic-
tims, his place in the
band was filled tem-
porarily by George
Stoddard of North-
ampton.
In May, 1S60, the
generosity of Flor-
ence business men
enabled the band to
purchase new instru-
ments and increase
its membership. The
Nichols brothers, Josiah, Edward, and Henry, Edwin Smith, George R.
Stetson, Henry Fechter, Messrs. Dodge and Judd, Ira Todd, and Dwight
A. Ross were the new members. The Nichols brothers as comedians
would " bring down the house " every time. Any one of the brothers
would " rhyme you rhymes" by the hour, and Edward was a ventrilo-
quist of no mean ability. Memory recalls the dedication, with music,
mirth, and dancing, of a new room in the sewing machine works, when
one stanza out of a multitude of local hits which rhymed together to the
tune of "Axes to grind," was sung by Henry as follows : —
IRMERLY THE WILLISTON HOT
"And there are four Eds who made a great splurge,
Ed Martin, Ed Nichols, Ed Smith, and Ed Birge,
'T would please you to see them, marching the fields,
And trying to play music composed by Dave Shields.
Ri tu di nu," etc.
This referred to our marching practice in Mrs. Bosworth's pasture, a
practice to which Dave very properly subjected the boys.
The presidential campaign of that year gave the band, thus enlarged,
174
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
frequent and profitable engagements, extended its reputation and popu-
larity, and created in each member a desire to improve his musical
ability. With this end in view the band engaged Mr. Solomon Merrill,
who gave us a few lessons in the autumn of i860, the only instruction
under a professional bandmaster we ever received. About this time our
name was changed to "The Florence Sewing Machine Band."
When the war cry of 186 1 rent the hills and valleys of our land, vil-
lage bands, as a rule, were broken up. Our band was no exception.
The members who en-
listed in the armies are
recorded elsewhere in this
history. Not again until
1865 was the band suffi-
ciently strong for duty in
military parades. North-
ampton celebrated Inde-
pendence Day of that
year by a grand welcome
home to her " boys in
blue." The late Col. Jus-
tin Thayer was marshal
of the day, and Hon.
Lewis J. Dudley was the
orator. The feast for
soldiers and citizens was
spread in the grove on
Round Hill. Our band was on duty that day, the writer having the
honor of being its leader.
The changed conditions of trade and manufactures, and the frequent
coming and going of mechanics and musicians in consequence of the
late war, made our success as a band quite variable until 1868, when our
leader, Mr. Shields, after an absence of several years, was again in the
sewing machine works, instructing a band class of about twenty young
men. This class was the nucleus, under Mr. Shields' enterprise and
remarkable executive ability, of a superb musical organization, complete
in all appointments, named the " Florence Sewing Machine Military
Band and Orchestra." It was from the start received here that our old
friend Richard W. Irwin developed a remarkable power for rapid,
rattling, clean cornet execution, and our friend A. Frank Hutchins
graduated, and later became bandmaster of the Twenty-sixth New York
Battalion, a position he retained for eight years.
The following "personnel" undoubtedly incorrect, made at this dis-
WILLIAM P. LATHAM S RESIDENCE
HISTORIC KE.MINISCKNCES.
1 75
tance with unaided memory, represents our band in the height of its
power : —
NOTE. — Where t he name of more than one instrument follows the member's name, the
first instrument refers to the orchestra, and the second to tiie band. For example, II. Harry
Havnor was leader of the orchestra, and played Ki alto in the band, and David Shields was
solo cornet in the orchestra, and leader of the band. — [EDITOR.
H. Harry Haynor, leader, E^ alto ; David Shields, solo cornet, leader ;
Anthony Sheffeld, first violin, ; Henry Schadee, clarinet, clarinet ;
Edward Cowing, second violin, Eh tuba ; Fred Schadee, second violin,
E^ tuba; Charles W. Kinney, flute, piccolo; Fred Shearn, trombone,
trombone ; James Laws, clarinet, trombone ; Richard W. Irwin, cornet,
solo cornet ; Andrew Franzen, cornet, cornet ; Julius Schadee, contra-
^Tma^u^m' im,,u',f,,mi",|.',»»'*«niTrmiriiiiiijiiiliiji'fh||jim
i mm ii n
RESIDENCE OK DR. J. B. LEARNED. — FORMERLY A. SHEFFELD S.
bass, bell tree ; Thomas Irwin, clarinet, clarinet ; Jerome Mead, violin,
Eh tenor ; William Norton, piano, solo baritone ; Edwin Martin, snare
drum ; James Tayntor, snare drum ; Edward Hammond, Eh bass ; Dan-
iel Franzen, Ei tuba ; Albert Shumway, Eh tenor; E. P. Nichols, bass
drum ; Louis Eager, Eh tenor ; Elbert M. Couch, Ei cornet ; Fred
Smith, cymbals ; James O'Niel, treasurer of band, solo alto ; George
Gaffney, drum major.
I trust I may be pardoned if I close my poor contribution with a trib-
ute to the " Northampton Community," a part of which I was in 1846,
the last year of its existence. I remember it as a congregation of fam-
ilies of education, refinement, and sturdy common sense, but with no
worldly wealth among them. I recall how our assemblies for the enjoy-
176
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
ment of literature, debate, religion, and temperance were devoid of all
instrumental aids to the songs which were poured forth by the glad
voices of the men, women, and children. Dear, old, beautiful Commu-
nity ! I remember thy works and poverty, but thou wast rich in a noble
philanthropy, " remembering those in bonds as bound with them " ; rich
in a lofty patriotism, which, like that of the Hebrew minstrels, "could
not sing the Lord's songs in a strange land " of bondage ; rich in neigh-
borly kindness, in the happy laughter of children as I heard the sound
of their going to and fro among the mulberry trees ; thou, dear old boy-
hood's home, wast an earnest of the Florence of to-day, with her lavish
accompaniment of music and her abundant evidences of material pros-
perity heard and seen on every hand.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
By Clayton E. Davis.
Florence has always prided herself on her fire department. Although
less than twenty-five years old, it has taken rapid strides and to-day our
engine house con-
tains the latest of fire
apparatus, and the
members of the de-
partment are fully
versed in the art of
fire fighting.
In 1870, at the an-
nual town meeting it
was voted to pur-
chase three new
"self-acting fire ex-
tinguishers." These
were delivered to the
city in July, and
were to be stationed
at Florence. The
first company was or-
ganized with A. C. Estabrook, foreman, and Nonotuck No. 1 was chosen
for its name. The original members were D. A. Hemenway, George
Ballow, Patrick Dady, N. P. Abbott, David Remington, C. Fairbanks,
Joseph Huxley, L. B. Askins, W. H. Riley, Nicholas VanSlike, William
VanSlike, Cornelius VanSlike, D. A. Ross, L. H. Ranney, and A. C.
ENGINE HOUSE — FIRE DEPARTM F.NT.
HISTORIC REMINISCENCES,
l77
Estabrook. The company met
at a small wooden building in
the rear of the Congregational
chapel.
Soon after a second com-
pany was formed which had its
headquarters in a small build-
ing on Chestnut street, then
owned by the Florence Sewing
Machine Company. In 1872,
hose reels were placed here,
which were drawn by hand.
In those days when a fire alarm
was sounded the firemen had to
run to their respective engine
houses and drag, oftentimes
through the mud or snow, a
reel weighing thirteen hundred
pounds, and, when the fire was
reached, the men were gener-
ally ready to drop from ex-
haustion.
The present engine house
was completed in 1883, the
town appropriating $4000 for
the ground and building. On
the lower floor is stationed a
new hose wagon, the Clapp and
Jones steamer and the hook
and ladder truck. The second
floor is devoted to a large re-
ception room, which was fur-
nished by our citizens, a bed-
room and another small room.
Within the past year the elec-
tric alarm system has been ex-
tended to this village, and every
alarm throughout the city is
now sounded at our engine
house.
Florence has been quite free
from large fires. One of the
i78
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
largest was the burning of the
tack works on March 16, 1877;
$30,000 worth of property was
destroyed, but fortunately the
company was insured for $23.-
000. Before the first company
was organized the Munde water
cure burned, in 1865. A crowd
of volunteer firemen and fire-
women soon gathered, and the
comical scenes which often oc-
cur at fires were repeated here.
Crockery and furniture were
thrown from second story win-
dows, and doors and windows
were smashed to keep them
from burning. The doctor's
private wine vault was dis-
covered and many a bottle
emptied.
Other fires of consequence
have been as follows : Decem-
ber 7, 1877, the " Pine Street
block " of the machine com-
pany; December 30, 1877,
Burns' box shop, near the Non-
otuck works ; April 4, 1880,
the "Center Street block" of
the machine company ; Sep-
tember 22, 1880, the Williston
house on Pine street, and Saw-
yer's soap factory, May 8, 1887.
The " Pine Street block "
was burned through the
thoughtlessness of a tenant,
who wound rags around a
frozen water pipe, and, after
saturating them with kerosene,
set the mass afire to take out
the frost. The attempt was
successful, all the frost in the
building disappearing.
HISTORIC REMINISCENCES.
179
The firemen have had the usual experiences of being called out on
false alarms. The most laughable one, perhaps, was a run to Hayden-
ville made by one of the companies, dragging the extinguisher, in
answer to the call of a new whistle that was being tried at the brass
works. The start was made at the suggestion that there was trouble at
Leeds.
Accidents to members of the department while on duty have been
few. Thomas Rothwell was struck by a brick at a fire at the Center
several years ago, and William Rhood was laid up for a month from
injuries received at the Howes barn fire. Cornelius VanSlike caught
cold at the Congregational chapel fire, which, it is claimed, caused his
death.
THE EAGLE BASE BALL CLUB.
By One of the Players.
The ball players that brought renown to Florence attained their skill
in the days of round ball, the game
from which the more scientific base
ball was evolved, or in the early asso-
ciations known as the Florence, Em-
mett, Active, and Bay State Clubs.
In the summer of 1865, the Twen-
tieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infan-
try returned from the war with a
glorious record for bravery and en-
durance. One of its members who
had his home in this neighborhood
wrote to a friend here that a nine from
the regiment had successfully com-
peted with nines from other regiments
in adjoining camps, and it claimed
the championship of the Army of the
Potomac. He challenged his friend to
find a nine that could defeat the
champions. To accept this challenge,
the Eagle Base Ball Club was organ-
ized with H. H. Bond as president and
E. S. Bottum, secretary. Fred W.
Clark, a player of recognized ability, was elected captain, and, while
awaiting the return of the regiment, active practice was commenced.
firemen testing the life chute.
l8o HISTORY OF FLORENCE
The game was played August first, 1865. Captain Clark played left
field, H. H. Bond pitcher, Jonas Polmatier catcher, W. M. Kingsley
short stop, Luther Askins, John Metcalf, and Frank Holmes tended the
bases, while J. B. O'Donnell and Patrick Whalen were in right and cen-
ter fields, respectively. The score, thirty to three, gave to the Eagles
the first of a long series of championships. Clark, Kingsley, Metcalf,
and Holmes did not again appear in the nine, while Bond and Polmatier
did not return to the club until the next year.
New players to fill vacancies were admitted, and a challenge from the
Conway Club was accepted. The game was fought and won on Sep-
tember second, 1865, on the Colonel Pomeroy place, near Mr. Stock-
bridge's present residence, with the score of forty-six to thirteen. The
game was followed by a supper given by the victors to their Conwa)'
visitors.
A warm, personal friendship grew up between these two clubs, which
continued during the life of the organizations, and frequent interchanges
of courtesies took place between them. The return game between these
clubs was played at Conway, on September sixteenth, and in this game
the players had drifted into the positions which they afterwards usually
occupied. O'Donnell acted as captain in his famous stronghold, the
second base position ; Arthur Hill now first appeared with the club, hav-
ing been away from home when the first two games were played. The
day was a fine one. and it was made a special holiday in Conway. The
mills stopped, and the farmers took a rest. The " beauty and chivalry "
of Conway had gathered in a mowing lot north of the village, and the
game was played under pleasant auspices. The Conway Club enter-
tained the victors with a bounteous supper at the Conway Hotel, and the
hilarious " Eagles " went home to dream of future conquests.
One week later the " Nicaean Nine " of Amherst College undertook
to capture the Eagles, but failed, much to the surprise of the collegians,
who had expected an easy victory. The Eagle Club had as yet no uni-
forms, and a marked contrast was visible between the trim, handsomely
costumed " Nicoeans," and the bareheaded, barefooted, country lads,
who could play ball if they did not look pretty.
Two more games were played, with the Williston No. 2 from East-
hampton, and the Haydenville Club, and the season of 1865 was closed
with a clear list of victories for the club.
With the opening of the season of 1866, the nine had been much
strengthened by the return of Bond and Polmatier, who became very
important members. Bond had made a scientific study of the art of
pitching and immediately stepped into the front rank of the Western
Massachusetts pitchers.
HISTORIC REMINISCENCES. 15 r
Upon April second, the Conway Club, now called the Franklin Club,
under Capt. George Kaulback, appeared in Florence and another victory-
over these genial fellows was awarded the Florence boys. J. W. O'Neill
appeared from this time as the official scorer for the club. The Nicaean
nine as re-organized was defeated at Amherst by the score of thirty-
eight to twenty-one, on the Agricultural fairgrounds. Contact with such
men as composed the Amherst nine did much to improve the players
(*V f%
'fife?-**
fir &* M
E. F. CONNELL, J. POLMATIER, A. G. HILL, E. S. BOTTl'M, M. H. DUNN,
P. WHALEN, H. H. BOND, A. ROBERTSON, J. B. o'DONNELL.
EAGLE BASE BALL CLUB.
and give them self-reliance. A marked improvement in the playing of
the club was noticed from this time. In this game, the college boys
learned the mettle of the Florence team and acknowledged its strength.
On June first, the Monitor Club of Holyoke was defeated by a large
score and, on June ninth, the first of a series of contests took place at
Chicopee, between the Hampden Club of that place and the Eagle Club,
for the silver ball championship of western Massachusetts. The Eagle
Club here met its first defeat, the score being thirty-six to ten. On July
fourth, the Amateur Club of Westfield received the attention of the
Eagles and in five minutes less than two hours were defeated in a West-
1 82 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
field sand bank, with the thermometers registering high figures, and the
scorers making the runs twenty to thirteen.
It was voted to try again for the silver ball championship. When
they felt that they were strong, the Eagles resorted to a little stratagem
to learn the strength of the Hampden Club. An impromptu organiza-
tion was made by five Eagles and four players from Northampton, which
was called the " Bay State nine." This team challenged the Hampden
Club to a friendly game not for the championship. The challenge was
accepted and the boys went to Hampden Park, Springfield, each one
girdled with a " Bay State " engine company's belt. The result of the
game being favorable, a challenge was sent from the Eagle Club for the
silver ball championship.
On August eighteenth, the Hampden and Eagle Clubs, therefore,
met again on the " Patch " in Chicopee. The crowd was very large
and the excitement intense. Hill, the lucky fellow, wras first at the bat
and struck the first ball pitched, getting to first base by the " skin of his
teeth." Bond, who followed, had adopted a new style of batting, and the
first ball pitched to him was landed in extreme right field, close to the
foul line. On this hit he reached third base, sending Hill home with a
scored run. Result on first two pitched balls, one run and a man on
third base. O'Donnell and the succeeding players continued the good
work and the first inning closed with nine tallies for the Florence boys.
When Ed Hickey of the Hampdens planted a fly ball in Bottum's
hands, the game was won by the Eagle nine and the excitement culmi-
nated. The players and the crowd went crazy ; Dunn came in from the
field turning handsprings, Hammond stood on his head on the third
base, Polmatier and Robertson were in the hands of their friends, Bot-
tum and O'Donnell were yelling themselves hoarse, Hill and Bond were
on the shoulders of enthusiasts going around the " Patch " at a little less
than forty miles an hour, while Whalen to this day cannot tell what hap-
pened to him. The arrival home was an ovation from the Northampton
railroad station to the homes of the boys, a brass band parade and an
illuminated village giving them a great welcome.
After defeating the Mount Tom Club of Easthampton, the Eagles
prevented the silver ball from returning to Chicopee by again defeating
the Hampden Club, this time at Florence.
On September eighth, the Pioneer Club of Springfield appeared in
search of the silver ball, but it was unfortunate in the day, as the Flor-
ence boys had on their batting clothes, and did terrific execution, batting
out sixty-eight runs to their opponents' twenty. The little printed
poem, "Nine graves for the Eagles," brought to the grounds by the
Pioneers, was not distributed as was the intention.
H IS TOR IC R L-'.M I N ISCKNCKS.
I83
On October third, the Franklins of Conway were again defeated, and,
on the fourth, the Monitors of Holyoke suffered another defeat at the
hands of the Eagle Club. On October sixth, the Hampden Club appeared
again and carried away the silver ball, the score, twenty-one to ten, giving
them this privilege. This trophy ever afterwards remained in Chicopee,
neither the Eagle Club nor any other association taking any interest in it
from the construction placed upon the regulations governing the contests.
In November the club visited New York city to play with the great
amateur clubs, but the weather was so unpropitious little skill could be
exhibited, and the games with the Excelsior and Atlantic Clubs were
played in overcoats, and all hands were glad when they closed.
The season of 1867 opened with victories over several minor clubs,
DAVIS AND KNIGHTS OF HONOR BLOCKS-
the first game of any importance being the defeat at Greenfield of the
Ouinipiac Club of West Meriden, Conn., July second. On July twenty-
seventh, the Star Club of Greenfield was defeated by the score of fifty-
five to twenty-six. The Union Club of Lansingburgh, N. Y., better
known as " the Haymakers," came to Northampton, and a noteworthy
game took place on the Agricultural fair grounds. It was a close con-
test for eight innings, but in the ninth the Haymakers mowed too wide
a swath for the local club, and the score, seventeen to nine, entitled
the visitors to carry off the Eagles' claws. Victories over the Old Elm
Club of Pittsfield, the Pequot Club of New London, the Champions of
Connecticut, the Stars of Greenfield, and the Federal Club of Shelburne
184
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
'"-■ * -T^TT'l-
Falls followed in quick succession, the two latter occurring on the same
day. The Greenfield Gazette nicknamed Bottum and Whalen " Battem
and Whalem " for their work at the bat in the two games. The Conway
Club was again defeated in September, and on the eighteenth of the
same month the Union Club of Lansingburgh, N. Y., sent the Eagles
home with the worst defeat sustained in their career — fifty-eight to
eighteen.
A New England Association of Base Ball Clubs had been formed, and
the Eastern states put into five districts. The champions of the five
districts met on September
twenty-third, at Riverside
Park, near Boston, to compete
for the New England cham-
pionship. The Eagle Club ap-
peared as the champions of the
fifth district (western Massa-
chusetts, and state of Connect-
icut). The Eagles easily de-
feated the Rollstone Club of
Fitchburg, the Fraternity Club
of South Boston, and the cham-
pion club of the third district.
On the twenty-sixth came the
strife between the Eagle Club
and the Trimountain Club of
Boston. This game the Eagles have always repudiated, as the club
received such unfair treatment from the tournament committee and the
umpire. The club after protesting, without effect, to the selection of the
umpire by the committee, felt obliged to decline proceeding with the game
after three very unfair decisions of the umpire, and the game was awarded
the Trimountain Club. The boys returned home, feeling ill-used, but
confident of their ability to cope successfully with any New England
Club.
The season closed after two more games with the Hampden Club, not
for the silver ball, however. The first of the two was won by the Flor-
ence team, while the latter one resulted in a tie game, each club scoring
twenty-two runs. The club did not reorganize after that season, and
though Eagle Clubs have existed in Florence to this day, the old Eagle
nine rested on its laurels, and has been since then a memory of the past.
The Eagle Club suffered six defeats only in its three years' career, two
by the Hampden Club of Chicopee (this club was beaten three times by
the Eagles, and the sixth game of the series was a drawn game), two by
"Young hearts shall hail the drifted cold,
As gayly as we did of old."
HISTORIC REMINISCKWl S.
I85
the Unions of Lansingburgh, and one each by the Atlantic and Excelsior
Clubs of New York city. These, with the game given to the Trimoun-
tain Club by the tournament committee, are the only records which can
be found against the Eagle nine. Only the important games have been
mentioned here.
The individual members did not apparently suffer in their morals by
their frequent trips from home. Good discipline was maintained, and
the younger members were well looked after by the older ones. The
warmest feeling always existed between the members, no bickerings or
unpleasant scenes ever transpired.
The scores were large in those days as the balls were largely com-
posed of rubber. There was a charm about good amateur playing which
the present collections of professional players do not furnish; a Flor-
ence Club meant a club of Florence players, and a local pride in the
nine was felt by each inhabitant of the village.
Of those recognized as the nine, Henry H. Bond, Philip J. Mara,
Edward H. Hammond, and Edmund Connell are no longer living. Flor-
ence is still the home of Jonas Polmatier, J. B. O'Donnell, Edward S.
Bottum, and Arthur G. Hill. Patrick Whalen lives in New Haven,
Andrew Robertson in Springfield, while Michael H. Dunn, James Mehan,
and John McGrath are sup-
posed still to be busy some-
where in the world's work.
James W. O'Neill, the faithful
scorer, holds an important
position in Wichita, Kansas.
The club was greatly in-
debted to the people of Flor-
ence, especially to the work-
men in the shops of the
Florence Sewing Machine
Company, who did much in
the way of providing uni-
forms, equipments, and trans-
portation expenses. No player
received any pay for his time,
the individual gave that freely, and to several it meant self-sacrifice in
many directions.
Bond and O'Donnell would rank as first-class players. What they
did was carefully planned and executed. Dunn was a phenomenon,
lithe, active, though apparently careless, with a keen eye, always in the
right place, seemingly by accident. Polmatier, long of arm and large of
EAST ON MAIN STREET IN 1S75.
l86 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
frame, was the easiest player on the team, sometimes a little too easy for
the best results. Robertson and Mara, the catchers, were small and
active, often achieving success where larger men would have failed.
Robertson was the stronger and better player of the two. Bottum,
though small, was cordy and resolute, never afraid, a strong batter and
a sure catch. Whalen was thoroughly reliable, no steadier or more
graceful player appeared on the field. His " daisy cutters " were sent
with such power that rarely were they stopped in season to do him mis-
chief. Askins at his best was a good player. " Old Bushel Basket " was
his pet name, for, until his sickness, 'the balls seemed to drop into his
fingers and stay there as if a basket held them. Hill was active and
made a fair showing as a player. He achieved his greatest renown from
the nine he captained. Never a strong batter, he slid to many a base
just quick enough to claim it. His throwing powers were weakened by
an injury to his arm in the season of 1866, so that he played only as sub-
stitute in 1867, though retaining the captaincy until the end. Connell
was a good short stop and reserve pitcher, and generally did heavy batting.
The third base was always the weak spot in the nine, Hammond, Mehan,
and Payson doing good work in that position, but neither of them prov-
ing an ideal baseman. McGrath, the pitcher of the first year, was a
better pitcher than batter, but he was much missed until Bond showed
his great ability.
The days of such organizations seem to have passed, but an enthu-
siast derived more pleasure in witnessing the honest games of such teams
as the Eagles and the Hampdens, than the 1S94 games of the more scien-
tific professionals.
MY EARLY RECOLLECTIONS.
By John B. O'Donnell.
In complying with your request to write relative to my early recol-
lections of the beautiful village so long my home, scenes of pleasure and
joy crowd upon me. These are mingled with sorrow and sadness when
I think of the many dear friends and kind neighbors who then were
adding to and aiding in the general happiness but, alas ! who are now in
their long and silent homes.
About the middle of March, 1859, when twelve years of age, stout
and muscular, robed in a farmer's frock, near the " Cross house," in Flor-
ence, with unerring aim, I stood at noon pouring snowballs at the boys
and young men on their way to the cotton mill and button shop. The
snowballs were so hard and my boldness so exasperating that several
HISTORIC RKMINISCENCKS.
I87
times a rush was made to thrash me, to avoid which I sought refuge
within the walls of the house. Thus it was that I introduced myself to
the companions and friends of my youth and manhood.
Florence at this time was a place of humble but happy homes. The
classes and self-styled aristocrats, now so numerous in other places,
were here unknown. Protestant, Catholic, Gentile, and Jew, white and
black, all were invited, received, and welcomed as members of one com-
mon brotherhood. There were but few houses, comparatively. There
M* t|#^^
VIEW OF FLORENCE AND RESIDENCES ABOUT 1865 — FROM OLD LITHOGRAPH.
was no church, but meetings were often held in the little district school-
house that stood where the High school building now stands. The
Catholics went to Northampton to mass in the King street church. To
this church and back, the people of Florence, and very many from East-
hampton, Hatfield, Williamsburg, and Amherst, walked, yet consump-
tion and heart disease were almost unknown among them. There was
no public mode of conveyance on Sundays, and only Abercombie's bus
on week days, at fifty cents for the round trip. Of course livery horses
1 88 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
then, as now, were in demand on special occasions, all of which were
supplied by Graves Brothers, " under the hill," in the rear of the houses
just below the Askins homestead. They are yet in business on the hill,
and long may they live and prosper ! Nonotuck street was then the
main street and the only business place of the village.
The games and sports of the youth were mostly indulged in on the
Sabbath day. " Paradise," then owned by the Greenville Manufacturing
Company, was fairly alive with girls, boys, and men on Sundays during
the summer. In the winter the scene of action changed to the crust-
covered snow on the hillsides, and the ice on the ponds and river, and
always their merry laughter and joyous shouts rang and echoed over
the neighboring hills.
The strict Sabbatarian who may peruse these lines, will not, I trust,
too severely criticise and censure the youth, the parents, or the com-
munity of those days. There was no law fixing the school age of the
children, and all the poor were obliged to begin to work at an early age.
It was no uncommon thing to see children regularly employed at the age
of nine years, and these — almost infants — and all others were obliged to
labor from half past six in the morning till half past seven at night, with
only one half hour intermission for dinner. Where was the time during
the week for reading, recreation, and sleep ?
But as time went on and the factories prospered, many strict church
people immigrated to the village. They naturally objected to this god-
less manner of observing the holy Sabbath, and an effort was made to
break it up. They had Mr. Julius Phelps, afterwards a deacon of the
"White" Church, appointed a constable to arrest and imprison (!) all
Sabbath breakers. While Mr. Phelps was a conscientious, Christian
gentleman, he had a big, liberal, and sympathetic heart. The boys
respected him very much, and they were ever ready to show their obedi-
ence and good intentions — when he was in sig/it ! They continued clan-
destinely, however, to plav as of old, but when the games were in progress
the sentinels and pickets were always on duty, ever on the alert to give
the alarm, when all would at once put on their coats, sit down lawfully,
and await the approach of the "common enemy." They always got a
lecture and good advice from the kind-hearted constable. But Mr.
Phelps " caught on " to the picket protector, and formulated plans to
break through it.
A match game of ball was arranged between the forces of the cotton
mill and button shop, to be played opposite the brick house near Landy's
— no Landy avenue then. It was a great battle ! In the middle of the
game, while excitement ran high, a great shout of alarm rent the air, and
lo and behold ! there was the officer coming at full speed and almost
HIS l'< IRIC RI.MINISCENCKS.
189
upon them. The warriors grabbed their scanty wardrobes and ran for
dear life down the Bay State road towards the dam, many jumping into
the river and swimming to the opposite shore. But after every storm
there comes a calm. They halted on a lot near the insane asylum,
reorganized, threw out their pickets, and fought the battle to a finish.
A quarter of a century afterwards, when Mr. Phelps, a stanch friend of
mine, and I were on duty as city assessors, I reminded him of this epi-
sode. He remembered it well, and he laughed loud and heartily.
The evening school of
Florence was a most timely
and beneficial institution.
Samuel L. Hill was the
prime mover and principal
supporter for five years,
when the town assumed
the management. A. T.
Lilly, Samuel A. Bottum,
and others were contribu-
tors. For a few years the
teaching was done by vol-
unteers. Among these
were Daniel W. Bond, now
an honored judge of the
superior court, Thomas S.
Mann, and A. R. Morse. During the vacations of this school, writing was
taught by Michael Walsh, Edson S. Ross, and a Mr. Hillman.
Among the persons employed to teach the evening school were Mary
W. Bond, a very successful teacher, a Mr. Battles, who was not so success-
ful, and Caroline W. James, who was the longest connected with the
school. She was a lady of rare executive ability, kind and gentle, yet
the most unruly boy was completely under her control. She seemed
readily to extricate from difficulty the dullest mind, and never appeared
impatient or discouraged. The school was well and regularly attended,
having about fifty scholars, and among her "graduates " are successful
journalists, lawyers, mechanics, and business men and women.
To this school many of us owe much, and to the originators, support-
ers, and teachers we can never be too grateful. I gladly take this oppor-
tunity to acknowledge my appreciation of their philanthropy and valu-
able services, and to extend my grateful thanks to those of them who are
living. I shall ever revere and cherish the memory of those who have
since joined the silent majority, who, I trust, are now enjoying their
heavenly reward.
COOLING OFF.
190
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
A «*
THE MUNDE WATER CURE.
By Paul F. Munde, M.D.
We first went to Florence early in the fifties and there I spent sixteen
of the happiest years of my life. As a boy I roamed over the fields and
woods, fished the stream and the brooks, then teeming with trout, bathed
at Locust Grove many times with my old friend, Arthur Hill, played
baseball in the field near his house, coasted in winter down the hills,
went for the mail to the post office at the village store kept by I. S.
Parsons, and enjoyed myself in the magnificent country as only a boy
can.
The land opposite our house was covered with mulberry trees, the
ripe and luscious fruit of which I gathered with great pleasure. They
were a remnant of the Whitmarsh mul-
berry fever. In those days, game was
fairly plenty. Coons were common,
squirrels abundant, partridges and
quail easy to find in the season, and
the woods in places were more or less
primeval. Northampton was then a
" town," but to us villagers quite a
place, toward which our ambitions
soared.
At that time new ideas and practices
in various lines were very popular in
Florence, which had always been a sort
of haven of refuge for original minds,
reformers, and conspirators in a mild
way. The Graham Bread Cure, Abo-
litionism, Freethinkers, Cold Water
Cure, and other innovations on com-
monly accepted customs, found ready support among the business men
and farmers of Hampshire County. In this way can be explained the
foundation of a small water cure establishment at Florence which was
managed by "Dr." Ruggles, whose natural shrewdness in a measure com-
pensated for his want of scientific knowledge.
Hydropathy had found its way across the water from the numerous
followers and pupils of Priessnitz, who, at Graefenberg, in the moun-
tains of Austrian Silesia, had established an institution which in spite of
its fanatical and reckless methods of treatment, achieved remarkable
cures and spread the name of its founder throughout the civilized world.
J& ^
CHARLES MUNDE, M.D.
HISTORIC REMINISCENCES.
I9I
CHARLES MUNDES WATER CURE.
One of these pupils and followers was my father, who had become a
convert through his own cure of gout, which at the early age of thirty
threatened to terminate his life.
After struggling for nearly a year in New York in search of a prac-
tice (my father's office was in a basement in Chambers street, I believe)
through Horace Greeley, I think, my father was informed of the oppor-
tunity to take up his
favorite method at
Florence, through the
death of " Dr." Rug-
gles. Without money,
but endowed with a
vigorous constitution,
an iron determination,
and indomitable en-
ergy, my father took
charge of the dilapi-
dated building which
constituted the so-
called " water cure,"
and with the help of
kind friends who loaned him money without security, soon had them in
such condition that they were fit to receive patients from the better
classes. In two years or thereabouts, he was able to pay off his debts
and build a large new house. From that time the tide of prosperity
flowed steadily for him until the breaking out of the Rebellion threatened
to ruin him. A very large number of his patients were from the South,
and among the guests were to be found the names of the proudest families
of Virginia, Kentucky, the Carolinas, and Alabama.
I remember well the day of the election of Abraham Lincoln, when
my father and I returned from a visit to Boston, expressly that my father
might cast his vote for Lincoln. On our return home, a Southern lady,
a Mrs. Wogram from New Orleans, asked my father, as he alighted from
the carriage, why he had returned sooner than he had expected. He
replied, "To vote." She asked, "And whom did you vote for, Doctor?"
" Why, for Lincoln, of course." " We leave the house to-morrow, Doctor,"
at once replied the lady. "Very well," said my father, "you can all go,
if that is your reason," and go they did, all of them. In two days there
was not a Southerner in the house.
Soon, however, when the country rallied from the shock of secession
and settled down to the conviction of a long war, business again resumed
its natural channels, improved even, and new patients from North, East,
192
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
and West fully made up for those from the South who stayed away, and
the old prosperity of the establishment returned and continued until it
was destroyed by fire on the night of November seventh, 1865. Feeling
exhausted by fifteen years of work, and having reached the age of sixty,
my father decided not to rebuild, and we all returned to Europe in
April, 1866, my father, mother, and sister not to return.
Only those who knew our place when my father first took it can
appreciate the hard and incessant labor, and the great expense which it
cost to make out of a comparatively barren wilderness a beautiful park,
with large trees, shady walks, and fragrant flower beds. When I revisited
the old place in 1872, on my return from abroad, I hardly knew it. The
old wilderness had returned, one building only was standing of the
horseshoe structure which easily accommodated one hundred and fifty
patients. The woods in which I had played and hunted the partridges
were cut down, and blackened stumps occupied their place.
The popularity of my father's establishment was mainly due to his
successful treatment of his patients. Many chronic, intractable ailments,
which had resisted the usual remedies employed by the medical profession,
yielded to the regular hours, carefully regulated diet, exercise, bathing,
sweating, rubbing, drenching, etc., which formed the routine of life in
the cure. Many prominent physicians visited the establishment with
patients, or in order to see the methods there employed. I will but
mention the late Dr. J. Marion Sims, the father of modern gynecology.
Although at first practiced empirically and with the reckless hardi-
hood peculiar to new methods ; although in imminent danger of becom-
ing obsolete through the fanaticism of "cranks," who would make the
world believe that water was
a " cure-all," in course of time
hydropathy assumed a more
scientific aspect, and was
gradually recognized by the
regular profession as a potent
aid in their practice. In the
popular mind hydropathy
formerly meant the treatment
of all kinds of diseases with
cold water. This was an error.
The treatment was really
with water, cold, hot, warm, and tepid, as the case should indicate,
applied in many different ways in accordance with well understood
scientific rules and practice. Diet, rest, early hours, freedom from care
and excitement, fresh country air, — all these were, of course, natural ad-
PINE STREET BRIDGE IN 1863
From a letter head of Dr. Mimde's.
His I Okie REMINISCENCES.
193
junctS to the hydropathic treatment. No doubt many a patient lias
succumbed to the misjudged zeal of his (hydropathically) ignorant med-
ical attendant.
Our life at Florence was a happy one, but, on the whole, uneventful.
My father's large establishment, with its grounds of over one hundred
acres, kept him so occupied, that in the busy season (spring and sum-
mer), he had little time to attend to other matters. But he was always
warmly interested in the welfare and progress of the village, which was
slowly and steadily increasing in size and importance. He never forgot
to his dying day (he died in Goez, Austria, in February, 1S87, at the age
of eighty-two) the beautiful spot where he had spent so many happy
years, met so many warm friends, and last, but not least, amassed a
competence which enabled him to spend the last sixteen years of his life
in comfort and independence. My father always gloried in his American
citizenship, and in his association with Florence. Pictures of our old
home there hung in his house at Goez in prominent positions when I last
visited him there in 18S6.
FLORENCE IN THE MILL RIVER FLOOD.
By Clayton E. Davis.
This work would not be complete without a brief sketch of the Mill
River flood. The whole valley, from Williamsburg to Northampton,
shook from stem to stern on that now memorable morning, May sixteenth,
1874, and when the enemy had
passed beyond, it was discovered
that it had wrecked four villages,
destroyed thousands upon thou-
sands of dollars worth of property,
and had sent into the unknown
land one hundred and thirty-six
human beings.
The defective reservoir, which
was the cause of this terrible cat-
astrophe, was situated about three
miles above Williamsburg, in the
northeastern part of the town. In the month of May, 1874, there was stand-
ing all along this valley a costly array of mills, factories, shops, offices,
and banks. Nearly all were in operation. The stream was low, and, upon
the evening of the fifteenth, the families retired to rest with no thought
of the impending danger ; mill owners, bankers, capitalists, were
FLOOD WOOD ON WARNER'S MEADOW.
194
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
*!►*
WRECK OF BOARDING HOUSE AT HAYDENVILLE
RUINS OF STONE BRIDGE AT LEEDS.
engrossed in their schemes
for the future ; all was peace,
prosperity, comfort, and do-
m e s t i c happiness. The
morning of the sixteenth
dawned — the fatal day had
arrived.
The reservoir was in
charge of George Cheney,
and he inspected the dam,
as usual, at six o'clock on
the eventful morning, and
found everything satisfac-
tory. But very soon his
father from the house dis-
covered the break, and
Cheney, grasping at once
the situation, sprang on
his horse, and started for
Williamsburg. The rides of
Cheney to Williamsburg, of
Collins Graves and Jerome
Hillman to Haydenville, and
Myron Day from Hayden-
ville through Leeds to Flor-
ence, have passed into his-
tory. This article must be
brief, and it is sufficient to
say that by their heroic work
hundreds of lives were saved.
Hardly had Cheney
started when the dam began
to crumble more and more.
The wall fell away faster and
faster, and soon with a sud-
den roar the great mass was
carried out at once. The
imprisoned waters, pouring
through with indescribable
fury, began their terrible
work of destruction. The
flood had commenced.
HISTORIC KKMINISCENCES.
195
Pages could be filled with an account of this mad rush of the waters from
the time the flood burst upon Williamsburg until it had passed Florence.
The water dashed out from its heretofore strong house, and, seeming
to mock the dam that previously had held it in check, flew into the val-
ley below. The waters first struck the village of Williamsburg, and
houses, mills, bridges, and fifty-seven persons were grasped within its
arms. The same story can be told of Skinnerville, where four lives were
lost, in Haydenville, where forty-one buildings and twenty-four per-
sons were carried onward, and in Leeds, where fifty-one of its inhabitants
swelled the list of the dead to one hundred and thirty-six. Out of thirty
buildings along the main street in Leeds, but three defied the flood.
The village of Florence awoke, as usual, that morning, and its people
hurried through the rain to their different places of daily toil. Soon
after eight o'clock, Myron Day drove into the lower part of the village,
and alarmed the employers of the shops and mills. The alarm quickly
spread, and the mill employ-
ees fled to places of safety,
there to watch the mad rush
of the waters. The warn-
ing flew throughout the vil-
lage, but before many could
get to the river the flood
had passed, and the angry
waters had added another
chapter to the disasters of
this country.
The first rush of the ad-
vancing flood was formid-
able as a tidal wave, sweep-
ing everything before it. It
rolled onward in a billow
from six to ten feet in
height, as it entered Flor-
ence, laden with a mass of
flood wood, comprised of
dismantled houses, bridges,
factory buildings, fences, uprooted trees, dead animals, and, fearful to
relate, human bodies — men, women, and little children, rent, bruised,
stripped of their clothing, and battered almost beyond recognition. While
people were yet wondering, dazed, and confounded at this terrible rush
SEARCHING FOR DEAD ON FLORENCE MEAEOWS*
* Seventeen bodies were found here.
196
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
of waters, the Meadow street bridge gave way with a crash, and was
hurled onward toward the iron bridge at the brush shop. In a twink-
ling, this second bridge was torn from its supports, and a minute later
both bridges went over the dam. At about the same moment the wooden
bridge just below the Nonotuck Silk Company yielded to the force, and
that, too, passed onward. In
ten minutes the water had
"v*~v risen to six feet above the
highest watermark, and the
scene for the next hour was
absolutely appalling. Scores
of dwellings on every hand
in the lower part of the vil-
lage stood like so many
islands in a wilderness of
angry waters, and people
were running in every direc-
tion,alarmed and bewildered
by the catastrophe which
had come so suddenly upon
them. Lower floors had to
be abandoned, and the fam-
ilies crouched in terror in
the upper stories expecting
every moment to have their
homes swept down the
stream.
But little property was lost in Florence. The Nonotuck Silk Com-
pany lost an addition to their dye house which was in process of com-
pletion, a blacksmith shop and storehouse were carried away, also ashed
forty feet long, containing five hundred dollars worth of flour, a lot of
lumber owned by Amos Eldridge, and one hundred cords of wood
belonging to the Nonotuck Silk Company. The Florence Manufactur-
ing Company estimated their loss at $3000, and the remaining damage
done in Florence was in the meadows, which were then owned by Austin
Ross, Samuel Bottum, Solomon Phelps, Bela Gardner, John and Joseph
Warner. John F. Warner sold at one dollar each, six hundred wagon
loads of flood wood from his meadow. This gives an idea of the vast
amount of debris strewn over the lowlands.
As soon as the water began to recede, the bodies were found and a
place was provided for them, until they could be identified, in a small
wooden building used by William J. Warner as a carpenter shop and
DEBRIS ON JOHN WARNER S MEADOW.
HISTORIC REMINISCENCES. 197
situated above his residence on North Main street, where the bodies
were brought in all day Saturday and Sunday. They were laid in
two rows and each made as presentable as possible. There were men,
women, and children, some with features convulsed in agony, others
quiet and peaceful as if in sleep. As soon as a body was recognized,
it was removed, and many were the heartrending scenes as the bereaved
ones recognized companions, friends, or relatives in that silent company.
The news of the disaster spread over the country like wildfire, creating
the greatest excitement. Before noon Saturday, though it was raining,
people began to arrive. On Sunday the weather being pleasant, people
came by the thousand ; lumber wagons, buggies, carriages, and express
wagons crowded the entire route of the disaster. Springfield, Holyoke,
and other places sent large delegations. The railroad made hourly
trips to accommodate the vast throng. Main street of this village was
crowded with teams all day Sunday, and here and there was seen a
casket that was to hold the remains of some victim. By actual count,
four hundred and seventy teams passed the residence of the late Moses
Warner in one hour on Sunday and all going in one direction. The
work of finding the dead bodies was pushed as soon as the waters would
permit, and, by Sunday morning, forty-two had been found on the
Florence meadows.
FLORENCE AND THE WAR.
By Joseph 15. Whitehouse.
After the lapse of one third of a century it is somewhat difficult to
recall the names of those who participated in the stirring scenes which
connected Florence with the great civil war. To learn its cause, the stu-
dent of history must turn its pages far back, tracing its dark annals
through many Congressional fights and bitter discussions over slavery,
our national sin. Then came secession, an attempt to destroy our glo-
rious Union, at which every patriotic son of the republic revolted, and
when the first call to arms rung out like a death knell, from the chief of
our nation, the response was quickly made. We now look back with
loyal pride to Company C, ioth Massachusetts Infantry, as the first
company in Hampshire County to respond to the call.
Meetings were frequently held in the town hall, where eager crowds
listened to speeches filled with patriotic eloquence from such able speak-
ers as Delano, Maltby, Hopkins, Littlefield, and many others. I well
remember what emotions thrilled the large audience when the first man
arose in the bodv of the house and said that he was going " to the front,"
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
as soon as he could get there. He was cheered again and again, and
when order was restored Mr. Maltby arose to inquire the name of this
first volunteer, saying, " My friend, you will find five hundred dollars
placed to your credit in the old Northampton bank." In one evening
about forty names were added to the roll. Meetings were held in vari-
ous places nearly every night, at which the events of the day were eagerly
discussed by anxious citizens.
It will seem strange to relate that there were those among us whose
sympathy was strongly with the South.
Among these may be mentioned several
Southern gentlemen, guests at Dr.
Munde's water cure, who manifested
not a little uneasiness lest their views
might cause them some trouble. Mr.
A. T. Lilly assured them that they need
fear no violence, as they would be
treated respectfully. I may here re-
mark that the infamous Wirz, of rebel
prison fame, resided in Florence for a
few years previous to the war, being
employed at the water cure.
Perhaps there was nothing more
realistic in this section than Company
C's marching through the village to Williamsburg, where the boys
camped for the night. The next day they returned and were met in
Florence by leading citizens, including Messrs. Lilly, Littlefield, Parsons,
Phelps, and Flood, and escorted by the Florence brass band to the open
space near the Congregational church, where a bountiful collation had
been provided for them by the ladies. D. G. Littlefield made the speech
of welcome, and after the boys had responded with three cheers, he pre-
sented them with a box of choice cigars. Dr. Munde's water cure was
also visited, where flags were flying, the Doctor having been a colonel in
the Hungarian army. At the house of Julius Phelps the company halted
and gave three cheers, well knowing the patriotic spirit of its inmates.
On the return to Northampton each member of the company was pre-
sented with a Testament or Bible, by Dr. Eddy, the gift of the Sunday-
schools of Northampton. Thus it was that the men went forth with a
divine trust, knowing that the " God of battles " would be with them.
Pulpit and press were thoroughly awake to the great question then
filling the popular mind, and a deep, Christian spirit prevailed over all.
Men who had long since passed the meridian of useful labor cheered on
their fellow comrades. At that time I was superintendent at Littlefield,
BOYS HEAD— BY C. C. BURLEIGH, JR.
HISTORIC REMINISCENCES.
199
Parsons & Company's factory. Once- I had occasion to leave town for a
few hours. Everything was running smoothly at the shop when I went
away — each man was at his place. Imagine my surprise, on returning, to
meet several of my employees at the railroad station. " What does this
mean ? " I asked, as those were
not times of labor unions and
of strikes. " We are going to
enlist to-night," they replied.
"All right, boys, go ahead ! " I
answered. The war waged on
to the end, and when the re-
maining members of the com-
pany were expected home,
many of the town's people
gathered at the station to meet
them. Loud cheers of welcome
greeted the soldier boys as they
raised their tattered flags, and
with uniforms ragged and
worn, marched up Main street,
Northampton. But what a wel-
come home !
r~, , , ... PINE STREET (BRUSH SHOP) IRON BRIDGE.*
1 hese are but a tew outlines
of those soul-stirring times. Ah, who can tell the price of peace ! But
let these lines remind our surviving comrades that their service is not
forgotten, and as time goes on our nation will ever commemorate their
noble deeds and prompt action in her hour of peril.
The following list of the Florence men who went to the war has been compiled from the
" History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts. — [Editor.
Second Regiment : Three years. — John Cahill, Jr., Company D ; mus-
tered in, May 25, 1861 ; discharged for disability, January 27, 1863.
Tenth Regiment: Three years. — Thomas Cahill, Company E;
mustered in, June 21, 1861 ; discharged, June 28, 1864. Constant E. Ban-
erat, Company C ; mustered in, June 21, 1861 ; killed in action, May 3,
1863. Charles Hickey, Company E ; mustered in, June 21, 1861 ; re-en-
listed Company K, Thirty-seventh. Henry L. Nichols, Company E ;
mustered in, June 21, 1861 ; discharged, July 1, 1864. Edwin S. Pease,
Company C ; mustered in, October 18, 1861 ; died February 4, 1863.
Twenty-first Regiment : Three years. — Thomas Gilmartin, Company
*This bridge was twisted up by the flood, and lodged in the rear of the Greenville
cotton factory, now the braid mill.
200 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
G ; discharged for disability, November 18, 1862. Thomas Stephens,
Company B ; mustered in, August 19, 1861 ; re-enlisted, January 1, 1864 ;
missing, June 17, 1864.
Twenty-seventh Regiment : Three years. — Andrew Cahill, Company
A ; mustered in, September 27, 1861 ; died, September 15, 1862. John F.
Hannum, Company G ; mustered in, October 15, 1861 ; re-enlisted ; dis-
charged, June 26, 1865. J. Freeman Nutting, Company G ; mustered in,
October 19, 1861 ; re-enlisted ; discharged, June 26, 1865. Charles H.
Otto, Company A ; mustered in, September 20, 1S61 ; discharged for
disability, January 1, 1863. Edward W. Pease, Company G ; mustered
in, October 14, 1861 ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, August 14,
1863.
Thirty-first Regiment : T/iree years. — Daniel Franzen, Company B ;
mustered in, November 26, 1861 ; re-enlisted.
Thirty-seventh Regiment : Three years. — Austin J. All is, Company
G ; mustered in, August 6, 1862 ; discharged, June 21, 1865. Edmund
M. Bartlett, Company G ; mustered in, August 30, 1862 ; sick in hospital
when the regiment was mustered out. David Congden, Company G ;
mustered in, August 30, 1862 ; discharged, July 10, 1865. James Cramp-
ton, Company K ; mustered in, August 9, 1862 ; killed at Gettysburgh,
July 13, 1863. Eeander F. Dawes, Company G ; mustered in, August
30, 1862 ; discharged, July 21, 1865. Thomas Dumfree, Company G ;
mustered in, August 30, 1862 ; discharged, June 21, 1865. Francis
A. Gouch, Company G ; mustered in, August 30, 1862 ; discharged for
disability, November 17, 1863. Edward P. Nichols, Company H ; mus-
tered in, August 15, 1862 ; discharged for disability, June 5, 1864. S. E.
Nichols, Company G ; mustered in, August 30, 1862 ; discharged, June
21, 1865. Oscar C. Powell, Company G ; mustered in, August 30, 1862 ;
sick in hospital when regiment was mustered out. Austin H. Stockwell,
Company G ; mustered in, August 30, 1862 ; discharged for disability,
February 25, 1863. Ira Todd, Company G ; mustered in, August 30, 1862 ;
sick when regiment was mustered out.
Fifty-Second Regiment : Nine Months. — Edward L. Abercrombie,
Company C ; mustered in, October 2, 1862 ; discharged, August 14, 1863.
Jona. Bailey, Company C ; mustered in, October 2, 1862 ; discharged,
August 14, 1863. Edward E. Graves, Company C ; mustered in, October
11, 1862 ; discharged, August 14. 1863. Henry W. Gladden, Company C ;
mustered in, October 11, 1S62 ; died, August 6, 1863. John Hannah,
Company C ; mustered in, October 2, 1862 ; discharged, August 14, 1863.
Orin Q. Moore, Company C ; mustered in, October 2, 1862 ; discharged,
August 14, 1863. Euther A. Martin, Company C ; mustered in, October
2, 1862 ; discharged August 14, 1863. Edward Martin, Company C ;
HISTORIC REMINISCENCES. :oi
mustered in, October 2. 1862; discharged, August 14, 1863. Sidney C.
Smith, Company C; mustered in, October 2, 1S62 ; died at Brazier City,
La.. May 29, 1863.
First Cavalry: Three Veins. — William C. Pelton, Company M ;
mustered in, January 14, 1864.
WHAT FLORENCE NEEDS.
By William H. Riley.
During the past twenty-five years Florence lias been looked upon
very properly as a model New England village. Business depression, and
the death and removal of many of those who assisted in founding and
building up the place, however, have changed the country village some-
what, and Florence of 1894 has not the air of thrift and prosperity which
was so patent in the Florence of twenty years ago. There is more of
the "down at the heel " and slipshod feeling in the very atmosphere
than there used to be in the days when Messrs. Hill, Lilly, Burleigh,
Williston, Clark, Burr, Otis, Parsons, Bond, Bottum, Edwards, O'Donnell,
and many others of notable worth, were with and of us. These were
the founders and builders of our village, and they have left us a goodly
inheritance. There can be no question that we can, and should, build
well on the broad foundations which they so faithfully laid. In attempt-
ing to answer the question put to me by the editor, " What does Flor-
ence need ?" I shall not assume the role of the preacher or moralist and
assert, what is no doubt true, that, were we all to live more temperate
and upright lives, our village would have a sweeter and more inviting
air about it, nor am I going to say what men with philanthropic dispo-
sitions and a plethoric pocketbook could do for the place. I speak
rather in a plain, frank manner, to an open-hearted and sensible people,
with malice toward none, and only a sincere desire for our mutual good.
Perhaps, first of all, Florence needs to-day, as it has for many years,
an active and wide-awake business men's association or board of trade.
Books, illustrative of our growth and prosperity, can be utilized as
excellent adjuncts in calling attention to whatever meritorious features
there may be to the place, but men of brains, push, and capital are
essential to the success of a business men's association. The men of
such an organization would be like sentinels on the watchtowers look-
ing for anything and everything that would add to our material pros-
perity. Such a steering committee has been needed on several occa-
sions. A business men's association could have saved the tack shop.
202 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
In this case, as in others, it was not capital, but a little tact that was
needed. A number of important industries could have been saved to
the place, and others brought in, had an energetic board of trade been on
the alert. Then, too, a permanent association of this character would
be beneficial in other directions. There is a natural tendency in small
places to formulate religious, political, and social cliques, which, while
they are looked upon, perhaps, as beneficial to individuals, have a dis-
integrating tendency upon the place at large. Our village improvement
society has done a good work in the past, and its members are deserving
of much praise for their commendable efforts. But the society's field
might well be enlarged so as to embrace the village sidewalks. This
lack of substantial walks is especially severe upon pedestrians in the
winter season. Our people are generous and willing to pay their share
of the cost, and what is needed is that some strong, effective organization
should stand back of this movement for better sidewalks. Now that we
have ample water and sewer facilities, with our fine schools and strong
churches, there is no reason why Florence should not become a popular
residential portion of the city of Northampton.
As patriotic citizens, we need, too, more enthusiasm for our schools.
Few places have had greater blessings in this direction, and they should
be well cherished and preserved. There is a movement on foot, however,
to have our High school removed to the Center. This should be stopped
at once. Some people are running wild on this centralization hobby.
The same arguments which are brought to bear for the purpose of hav-
ing our High school removed to Northampton, would apply equally as
well to every hamlet in the county. To take this school away means
that many of our boys and girls will be deprived of essential educational
advantages, as their parents will not be able to pay the requisite addi-
tional expenses. Samuel L. Hill, of honored memory, gave to the
village a substantial schoolhouse that we might have an advanced
course, and now let every true citizen of Florence see to it that our edu-
cational advantages are not diminished or abridged.
THE VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.
By W. L. Wilcox.
It is very interesting in the make-up of a town or village to note what
has contributed to its growth, and the Village Improvement Society is
largely responsible for the neatness of the lawns and well kept hedges,
and the streets and walks. There is no one individual who started the
HISTORIC REMINISCENCES.
society, but a number of them, among whom the lamented Mary W. Bond
stands quite conspicuous. She was for many years the treasurer of the
society, and everywhere gave an encouraging word to those who were
property owners, to make their places look as well as possible. At first
the notices to meet for organization were not heeded except by a few,
who, as every spring came, met together and chose officers for the com-
ing year, and appointed committees for the care of streets, parks, etc.,
but as time rolled on those citizens who were striving to make their own
premises look inviting enthused their neighbors, until at length the
effort to beautify became a success.
There was in the matter of tree trimming a little jealousy, at first, on
the part of a few, who seemed to feel
that it was encroaching on their rights,
but that has all passed away. The
money that has been used for beauti-
fying the parks was at first all obtained
from the fees of members, but later fifty
dollars of the amount appropriated by
the city for improvements was secured
each year for use in Florence, so that
quite a little work has been done on
the three parks, namely, the one front-
ing Cosmian Hall, the one fronting the
Congregational church, and the one be-
tween Locust and South Main streets.
Among those who have been indefatigable in the work of this society,
the names of George S. Graves and Henry B. Haven, senior, appear, the
former in his care of the trees and the latter in his interest in the general
work, parks in particular. It was wholly due to Mr. Haven's efforts that
the pretty fountain fronting Cosmian Hall was secured. The above
named gentlemen have been ably seconded in their efforts by S. B.
Fuller, ex-Mayor Hill, and many others. The improvement of our vil-
lage has been so marked that strangers who ride out from the Center are
often heard to comment on the pretty appearance of the place.
When this society started there was nothing but gravel walks here,
and the first concrete walk that was laid, was around the square, includ-
ing the post office and Methodist Episcopal church. Some at first
objected to paying for this work, but they afterward were very glad the
concrete had been laid. At the present time the finances of the society
are in such condition that with the opening of spring the same efforts
will be put forth, and parks, lawns, street borders, and trees will all be
looked after as usual.
FOUNTAIN AT COSMIAN PARK.
BIOGRAPHIES.
SAMUEL LAPHAM HILL.
PREFACE.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
By Arthur G. Hill.
Samuel Lapham Hill was born July thirtieth, 1806, in that part of
Smithfield, R. I., which has since been taken to form the town of Lincoln.
Since 1763, the family had owned the poor, rocky farm from which his
father and mother, Samuel and Olive (Lapham) Hill, now derived their
scanty support. He was the sixth Samuel in the direct line of descent,
and was first known as Samuel Hill, Jr. As each of the several Samuels
had also been known as "Junior" in early life, the confusion was great
206 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
when wishing to refer to a particular individual. This led our sixth
Samuel to adopt Lapham as a middle name. The early history of the
name Hill is obscure, but tradition says the name was originally Hills-
grove, and that twelve brothers of that name came from England at an
early date and settled near Newburyport, Mass. After a while by curtail-
ment the name became Hills and remained thus for several generations,
when one of the earlier Samuels dropped the " s."
The returns from the farm were extremely limited, and early in life
each son had learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked when
calls came for his services from the neighboring thinly settled towns.
The Hill family were Friends or Quakers, and the simplicity of the
dress, tastes, and requirements of these pure religionists left impressions
on the mind of Samuel L. that remained with him through life. Like
most of the boys of his time he had few chances for learning, and attend-
ance at a small country school during the winter terms, for a few years, gave
him the most of the education with which he worked his way upward.
At an early age the family needed his services to aid in providing the
necessaries of life. Hard labor on the farm and work as a journeyman
carpenter kept him busy during his youth and early manhood. His
well-filled tool-chest, most of the tools in which were made or put
together by him, always remained in his possession, and in later years
was often opened, and the tools used with the pleasure and satisfaction
that only his early associations with them could have given him.
When about eighteen years of age his desire for a better education
led him to save from his earnings enough to enable him to attend for a
few months the well known Leicester Academy, in Worcester County,
Mass. Before he had attained his majority he purchased the remainder
of his time from his father and married Miss Louisa Chace, of Smithfield.
As Miss Chace was not a member of the society of Friends, he suffered
expulsion from his birthright membership in the church. He, however,
always retained his early reverent spirit, and, though his religious ideas
grew and broadened with his expanding life, deep reverence and humility
were marked traits in his character. Feeling a necessity to do some-
thing in the higher work, soon after he became an active member and
worker in the Baptist church.
During his early manhood he worked at his carpenter's trade, taught
village schools and writing classes and kept a small country store, all in
the vicinity of his native place. In 1830 he became an under overseer in a
cotton factory and soon thereafter removed to Willimantic, where he
became respectively overseer, superintendent, and manager of a cotton
factory, and thus made his beginning in his long and successful career
as a leader in manufacturing industries.
BIOGRAPHIES.
207
In Willimantic he became prominent in church and village work and
did much to encourage his associates and workmen to lead better and
purer lives. The spoken and written words of Garrison, Phillips, Bur-
leigh, Pillsbury, Whittier, and other mighty teachers of " Whatsoever ye
would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them," appealed
forcibly to him. Me became deeply in sympathy with the enslaved
colored people and endeavored to
get the Baptist society in which
he was a popular deacon to place
itself on the side of the down-
trodden. As an officer of the
church he opened its doors to the
gifted Wendell Phillips. The
anti-slavery lecture was disturbed
and broken up, and the auditors
driven from the church under a
shower of rotten eggs, by a church
mob headed by a brother deacon.
This treatment, so foreign to the
professions of his associates, so
saddened and disheartened Mr.
Hill in his church work, that he
formally withdrew from the Bap-
tist society and never again al*
lowed his great mind and heart to
be trammeled by a church creed,
although his ideals were never
lowered and his life was forever
devoted to the uplifting of his
brother man.
He was an earnest reader of
the progressive thoughts of the time and became familiar with the great
men that were molding the age. Their words were incentives to him
for higher and greater work. About this time cooperative and com-
munistic ideas were being advanced and many writers advocating them.
Mr. Hill became an earnest believer in the theory of these twin ideas.
Although all attempts at making them practical had failed, he had faith
that the times were propitious for another and more successful attempt
at harmonizing humanity. For some time he had been in correspond-
ence with others equally convinced of the benefit of a communistic society,
and with the express purpose of forming one Mr. Hill moved to Flor-
ence from Willimantic in the spring of 1841. In the following year he
SAMUEL I.. HILL.
From Anibrotype taken about 1850.
208
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
cast in his lot with others to organize the " Northampton Association of
Education and Industry." Mr. Hill, from his experience, thoughtful-
ness, and zeal, took a prominent part in the instructive and elevating work
of the association, and was pre-eminently one of its great leaders. The
branches of manufacturing that took his time and attention beyond
what was required of him as treasurer were the silk industry, the saw-
mills, and the gristmills, all of which proved moderately successful.
Upon the breaking up of the association, Mr. Hill interested his
brother-in-law, Edwin Eaton, of Chaplin, Conn., in joining him in the
purchase of the flat table-lands which form the center of Florence. This
land was plotted, streets laid out, building lots sold as they were needed
by the gradually increasing population, and financial assistance given to
the worthy settler, to enable him to make a home of his own. It was a
strong desire of Mr. Hill that every man of family should own his little
home place, and his influence
was thus extended. He had
great pleasure in seeing the
growing number of houses
that owed an existence to his
encouraging words and sym-
pathetic money loans. The
faithfulness with which the
loans were regularly paid in
the small amounts, from time
to time, as they could be
saved for this purpose, kept
alive in him his great faith in
the people.
When the Community dis-
solved he continued the silk
business, but soon (1850) had
his feet swept from under him
by the failure of a brother
manufacturer, whom he had assisted, and on whose notes he was an
indorser. He carefully looked his affairs over, made his estimates and
decided that under ordinary circumstances, by the strictest economy, he
would be able, if allowed to continue, to pay all his indebtedness in a
very few years. He visited his creditors, obtained a five years extension
of time in which to pay them, and commenced anew a hard, self-denying,
upward climb. Mr. Samuel L. Hinckley, a wealthy resident of North-
ampton, having confidence in him, furnished working capital and the
firm of Hill & Hinckley became favorably known in the business world.
HILL RESIDENCE IN I
BIOGRAPHIES.
209
H ,
it,
Within five years, by his indomitable energy, perseverance, and frugality,
he paid off, one by one, eacli creditor. The chest of tea presented to him
by the last creditor, a New York raw silk importer who held the last of the
old obligations, became the symbol to him of the completion of a long con-
test in which he had proved a conqueror. Desiring to extend the silk
business, more capital was raised, several parties admitted, and the
" Nonotuck Silk Company "
incorporated. Samuel L .
Hinckley was its first presi-
dent, and Samuel L. Hill its
treasurer and manager.
Mr. Hill's mind, hands,
money, and influence became
interested in everything that
pertained to Florence and the
public good throughout North-
ampton. He took a deep in-
terest in school matters. On
many occasions he contributed
largely to the school funds.
School subjects were almost
the only ones that he allowed
himself to speak upon in the
town meetings, as he dreaded
the ordeal of appearing before
the people as a speaker.
Though a broad and deep
thinker his modest utterances
embarrassed him. When pos-
sible he would put his thoughts on paper and read them in preference to
off-hand arguments. For many years he was on the school board, but
would accept no other office in the town or state, although frequently
urged to be a candidate for representative. On two occasions he was
elected selectman, against his wishes, and promptly declined the office.
In the latter part of his life he was deeply considering what his final
contribution to the school interests of the town should be. He inter-
viewed many educated persons and carefully looked into the educational
wants of the times. From the many theories and experiments with
which he had become acquainted, he thought the following of great
importance : A thoroughly equipped college for scientific research ; an
institute in which physical culture should accompany a high literary
curriculum ; an agricultural college ; a manual training school, and a
14
SAMUEL LAPHA.M HILL.
From Photograph taken 186S.
i<&****^6/ <£. s^too^^
2IO HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
trades school, where young people should be taught to work with their
hands as well as with their minds. The college for scientific research he
at length dropped from his list, thinking that the schools already exist-
ing afforded the needed opportunity in this direction. He also found
that the amount required to establish such a college would be more than
he could command. The physical culture school he left for some one else
to develop, although he thought it was much needed. He foresaw that
the state agricultural col-
lege, and the prospective
early use of the Oliver
Smith agricultural fund,
would render another
school of this kind in Western Massachusetts unnecessary. Manual
training and education in trades were favorite ideas with him to the last,
but the various attempts to embody them in a systematic course had
not culminated in complete success anywhere. He therefore referred
this subject to his trustees, to whom he addressed a communication ask-
ing them to assist in the development of any system in this line that
should seem practicable.
In his final conclusion he turned to the kindergarten method of
Friedrich Froebel, as a more natural beginning for a child, than the
system in vogue. He gave this method a practical test for a few years
under his own observation, and that of persons in whose judgment he
had confidence. Later he founded the Florence kindergarten.
Mr. Hill, as has been mentioned, was a birthright member of the
Society of Friends. He afterwards adopted the doctrines, ordinances,
and covenants of the Baptist faith. The last forty years of his life
broadened his views until the brotherhood of man and his intimate rela-
tion with the pervading Spirit of the universe were clearly and simply
defined in his mind and heart.
He was one of the originators and most generous supporters of the
Free Congregational Society, and frequently aided all religious ideas
that seemed to him broad enough for the needs of the people. His ear-
nestness in all things made him so devoted to his business that he always
carried his cares about with him. This finally reacted upon his health,
and, the last fifteen years of his life, caused a vigorous struggle against
the encroaching disease, a struggle that occasionally care and change of
climate seemed to affect, but in which disease finally came off the victor.
The brave, conscientious man yielded up his life calmly and philosoph-
ically, without a murmur or dread of the future, at Citronelle, Alabama,
December thirteenth, 1882, aged seventy-six years.
Upon the death of his first wife, he remained for a while a widower,
BIOGRAPHIES. 211
but finally married Roxana Maria Gaylord of Ashford, Conn. She died
eight years after the marriage. Two daughters and a son survived him,
all living in the village of Florence.
His life and career make an interesting study, and his record is that
of a strong, earnest thinking, humane man.
CHARLES C. BURLEIGH.
By Seth Hunt.
As a logical thinker and an eloquent public speaker, Charles C.
Burleigh probably surpassed any one that ever lived in Northampton.
Few men, anywhere, could so
readily and ablv extemporize in
a public speech as that brave
champion of civil and religious
freedom. Some of his most
brilliant and effective speeches
were made on the spur of the
moment. In discussing any ques-
tion he was noted for stating
the strongest points of his op-
ponents, and effectually answer-
ing them, so that when he had
finished it seemed that nothing
more could be said. The argu-
ments on both sides would be ex-
hausted. His diction was clear
and finished.
Charles C. Burleigh was born
at Plainfield, Conn., November
third, 1810, and died at Florence,
Mass., June thirteenth, 1878. He
was from a family of marked
mental gifts. His brothers were
all noted for their talents. His
CHARLES C. BURLEIGH.
father was a graduate of Vale
College, and became distinguished as a teacher of Plainfield academy.
His mother, Lydia Bradford, was a lineal descendant of Gov. William
Bradford, one of the Mayflower Pilgrims. Governor Bradford's quali-
ties as a dissenter, a promoter of peace and a lover of liberty seemed to
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
have reappeared in Charles C Burleigh, to be manifested under different
circumstances, but still by one and the same spirit as that which brought
Governor Bradford to the shores of Plymouth.
At the time of the persecution of Prudence Crandall for admitting a
colored girl into her school at Canterbury, Conn., which persecution was
followed by the enactment of the unconstitutional " Black Law" of the
state, Samuel J. May, aided by Arthur Tappan, had decided to publish a
paper to be devoted to the defense of human rights in general, and the
Canterbury school in particular. Having
seen an admirable article that was written
by Charles C. Burleigh, and heard him
commended as a young man of great prom-
ise ; and having listened to an able speech
from him, Mr. May decided that Charles
C. Burleigh was the man for editor of the
new paper. Mr. May says : " I drove over
to Plainfield, from Brooklyn, Conn. ; Mr.
Burleigh was living with his parents and
helping them carry on their farm, while
pursuing as he could his studies prepara-
tory to the profession of a lawyer. It was
Friday of the week, in the midst of haying
time. I was told at the house that he was
in the field as busy as he could be. Never-
theless, I insisted that mv business with
CHARLES C. BURLEIGH, IR., ARTIST. . . . i" i • o
him was more important than haying, bo
he was sent for, and in due time appeared. Like other sensible men at
the hard, hot work of haying, he was not attired in his Sunday clothes,
but in his shirt sleeves, with pants the worse for wear ; and although he
then believed in shaving no razor had touched his beard since the first
day of the week. Nevertheless, I do not believe that Samuel, of old, saw
in the ruddy son of Jesse, as he came up from the sheepfold, the man
whom the Lord would have him anoint, more clearly than I saw in C. C.
Burleigh the man whom I should choose to be my assistant in that
emergency. So soon as I had told him what I wanted of him, his eye
kindled as if eager for the conflict. We made an arrangement to supply
his place on his father's farm, and he engaged to come to me early the
following week. He then put on the harness of a soldier in the good
fight for equal, impartial liberty * * nor are there many, if any, of
the anti-slavery warriors who have done more or better service than Mr.
Burleigh."
Mr. Burleigh had early fixed upon the legal profession for his life
BIOGRAPHIES. 213
vocation. When he was admitted to the bar in Windham County, Conn.,
in January, 1835, ms examiners were surprised at the extent of Ids
acquirements, and he was pronounced the best prepared candidate that
had been admitted to the bar in that county within the memory of those
then practicing there. But, notwithstanding- all his bright prospects of
success and fame in his chosen profession, when he was asked to engage
as lecturer in the anti-slavery cause, and while fully aware of the hard-
ships and persecutions that would befall him, he replied : " This is not
what I expected or intended, but it is what I ought to do ; I will accept
the invitation.
Although a peace man, he was fearless and self-possessed in times of
danger. He stood by William Lloyd Garrison and gave him timely aid
when Mr. Garrison's life was in great peril from the great Boston mob.
Mr. Burleigh himself was many times exposed to personal injuries by his
pro-slavery enemies. Once while speaking in an anti-slavery meeting, a
bad egg, hurled by an enemy, struck Mr. Burleigh on the forehead.
Coolly wiping his brow, he said : " I always thought that pro-slavery
arguments were unsound."
Mr. Burleigh was the first resident speaker of the Free Congregational
Society of Florence. He held the office for ten years, and had often
addressed Sunday meetings in Florence before the organization of that
society.
His personal appearance was striking. He had a fine, animated
countenance, mirroring an active mind and a great soul. He was tall
and his frame bore the impress of great physical strength and endurance.
Of no one could it be more truthfully said, that " he had the courage of
his convictions." What he deemed proper to do, whether in matters of
dress, of personal appearance and habits, or in regard to political, social,
or religious concerns, he unhesitatingly carried out, however strange
his course might appear to those with whom he came in contact. I
remember his wearing a full beard, long before such a practice was con-
sidered becoming or proper. He also wore his hair long and in ringlets.
His religious views were, in some respects, similar to those held by
Unitarians. Probably few professing Christians have imitated more
nearlv than he did, the life of Jesus as recorded in the New Testament.
He thoroughly believed, and, as occasion demanded, ably defended the
broad principles of religious freedom laid down in the platform of the
Free Congregational Society of Florence.
Mr. Burleigh's lamentable death was caused by his being struck by a
railroad train at Florence, while he was hurrying to the station to post
a letter. The funeral services were held in Cosmian Hall and were
attended by a large concourse of people. Addresses were made by
2 14
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
William Lloyd Garrison, Samuel May, Mrs. Elizabeth Powell Bond, and
Rev. E. G. Cobb, pastor of the Orthodox church at Florence. The
remains were buried in the old Florence cemetery, by the side of Mr.
Burleigh's beloved and devoted wife, whose rare mental gifts and brave
consecration to reformatory movements made her a worthy helpmate.
As their joint epitaph records, they were " truly one in work and spirit."
DANIEL GREENE LITTLEFIELD.
By the Editor.
Daniel Greene Littlefield was born in North Kingstown, R. I.,
November twentv-third, 1822. He was the third son of the family of
eleven children of John and Deborah (Himes) Littlefield. Left to the
sole care of their mother, her children were brought up according to the
accepted New England idea of youth-
ful training. At the age of eight,
Daniel went to work in the Jackson
cotton factory in the town of Scitu-
ate, where his parents then resided.
Even at this tender age he gave evi-
dence of those sterling qualities that
were so characteristic of him in his
maturer years. His fidelity and de-
termination to master every detail of
the business were marked. For over
twenty years he labored in cotton and
woolen mills, and machine shops, and
made himself thoroughly acquainted
with whatever business he was en-
gaged in and with whatever machine
he worked upon. Naturally of a me-
DANIEL GREENE LITTLEFIELD. ... , . . r . ,
chanical and inventive turn ot mind,
his early training and experience proved of great value to him in after
years. From bobbin boy he became secondhand, overseer, and superin-
tendent. In 1846 he came to Florence, and assisted in starting the cot-
ton mill, a few months before the dissolution of the Community.
Leaving Florence he went to Northampton and engaged in the dry
goods business. Two years later, his store having been destroyed by
fire, he went to Haydenville and assisted in establishing a cotton mill for
Hayden & Sanders. After two years in this mill, he became proprietor
BIOGRAPHIES.
2I5
of a '• country variety store " in Haydenville, and later traveling salesman
for Ilayden & Sanders.
About 1854 he came to Florence and was employed as traveling
salesman and business manager by A. P. Critchlow & Company. Shortly
after he became a partner in the business, Mr. Critchlow retiring, and
the name was changed to Littlefield, Parsons & Co. This firm continued
business until 1866, when the Florence Manufacturing Company was
formed, with Mr. Littlefield as president.
At this time he was also interested with S. L. Hill and Hiram Wells,
in the manufacture of pumps and grip wrenches. The death, in 1859, of
Mr. Wells, by the boiler explosion, ended the pump business, and as the
Florence sewing ma-
chine was just material-
izing, Mr. Littlefield
turned his energies in
that direction. He was
one of the founders of
the Florence Sewing Ma-
chine Company, and, on
the retirement of Mr.
Hill from the business,
he became its president,
which position he held
up to the time of his
death in May, 1891.
A friend of his, a few
years ago, accompanied
him to this place when
he came on a business trip to inspect the various establishments wherein
he was interested, and heard this testimony volunteered by some of his
associates : "Mr. Littlefield is never satisfied with any device he employs
till he thoroughly understands its workings, and contrives modes to
increase its effectiveness."
In 1 861 he represented Northampton in the lower house of the legis-
lature, and was re-elected the following year. In March, 1889, he was the
nominee of the Republican party of Rhode Island for lieutenant governor,
and, there being no election by the people, he was elected by the General
Assembly.
In 1863, at the repeated solicitation of gentlemen representing the
Pawtucket Hair Cloth Company, Mr. Littlefield went to Pawtucket to
undertake the work of perfecting the complex machinery of that com-
pany. He made arrangements to remain one year. He remained there
BY THE OLD RAIL FENCE.
2l6 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
permanently. He retained his interest in several manufactories in Flor-
ence, which were mainly of his own creation. In 1865 he visited Europe
in the interests of the Pawtucket Hair Cloth Company, and repeated the
trip in the years 1866, 1868, 1871, and 1872, visiting all the principal
countries of Europe. The valuable information he obtained for that
company made the concern the only complete plant of its kind in the
world.
In 1878 he went to France as honorary commissioner from Rhode
Island to the Paris exposition. Here his reputation had preceded him,
and immediately upon his arrival he was appointed an American juror of
small and fine machinery, and mechanism of all nations. His work on
this board was of much value to American inventors.
" Intensely and practically one of our self-made business men and a
successful manufacturer, Mr. Littlefield was essentially a man of the
people, modest and unassuming, at all times approachable, and a cour-
teous listener." At home as well as abroad honors came to him unsought.
At the time of his death he was president of no less than seven corpora-
tions. "He was a skillful organizer and a wise arbitrator, and his decis-
ions in important cases where his judgment and counsel were sought
were always sound and acceptable to all concerned."
Mr. Littlefield was a man of magnificent physical proportions. Stand-
ing more than six feet in height, his commanding presence was always
permeated with genuine kindliness of heart that inspired the respect and
admiration of all with whom he came in contact. He was twice married.
His second wife and a son and daughter survive him. His mother, a
woman of sterling worth, died in January, 1891, at the ripe age of ninety-
three years. Mr. Littlefield was a member and trustee of the Pawtucket
Congregational Society, and was a liberal provider for the support of
church and society.
It may seem to some that Mr. Littlefield devoted his life to work out-
side our village. What he did for Florence should be reckoned by the
prosperity of our manufacturing concerns, which have known his guid-
ance, and have looked to him for support.
ALFRED THEODORE LILLY.
From the "Memorial."
Alfred Theodore Lilly was born in Mansfield, Connecticut, April
fifteenth, 1813. His mother's maiden name was Jerusha Swift.
His father, Alfred Lilly, was a blacksmith, and made screw augers
BIOGR U'lllKs.
21 7
and auger bits, and later manufactured silk at Mansfield. The company
failed in 1S3S, Mr. Lilly losing all his property.
Alfred Theodore attended the summer and winter terms of the dis-
trict school until he was twelve years old, and the winter terms until he
was seventeen. When he ceased to attend school he worked for his
father at auger and bit making until he was twenty-one. Then In-
worked for his father as a journeyman about a year, until the failure,
when the burden of supporting the family fell upon his shoulders. He
continued the auger and bit
business, borrowed a small
sum of money, and for fifteen
years applied himself closely
to this business. No defective
work was allowed to leave
the shop ; he was punctual in
all his affairs no matter how
trivial ; and he gained at once
a reputation for integrity from
all who knew him.
His health failed, however,
and in 1850 he was obliged to
give up the business. He be-
came superintendent for one
year of the Rixford <$: Butler
Silk Manufacturing Compa-
ny, at Mansfield Center, and
then accepted a position as
traveling salesman for a Mans-
field silk manufacturer. Af-
ter this he went to Providence,
R. I., and opened a retail
grocery store, where he remained until the spring of 1853, when he came
to Florence, as a superintendent of the Nonotuck Silk Company, remain-
ing with the company until his health failed, February 1, 1887. After a
few years, Mr. Hill asked Mr. Lilly to assist as treasurer and general
manager of the company ; he purchased a small interest in the business
and was allowed to pay for it as he was able. In 1865 Mr. Hill appointed
him acting treasurer, and he was elected treasurer of the company in
1872.
Mr. Lilly did not acquire wealth as soon as he came to Florence.
During the early part of the time it was difficult for him to meet his
obligations ; his own family, his father, mother, and sisters receiving his
ALFRED THEODORE LILLY.
2 l8
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
assistance. He did a great deal more than is publicly known to aid
others in various ways.
This desire to assist others led him to become a stockholder and
director in the Florence Furniture Company in 1873. The company was
not successful the first year, and it was 'due to Mr. Lilly, and a few
others, that it became prosperous. Mr. Lilly was its president from the
time of its organization to his death.
He was one of the original incorporators of the Florence Savings
Bank, and always took an active interest in the public business of the
town ; voted at all elections, but always declined public office. In all
his transactions he was thorough, punctual, and always reliable. From
boyhood he was strictly temperate, using neither tobacco nor intoxi-
cating liquor in any form.
In 1859 Mr. Lilly assisted in establishing the evening schools here, and
in 1869 served on the
committee appointed
to erect the Memo-
rial Hall and Libra-
ry, in Northampton.
He was a charter
member of the Free
Congregational So-
ciety, and, when this
society built Cos-
mian Hall, he gave
ten thousand dollars
towards the building,
and during his life
contributed gener-
ously to its support.
In his will he pro-
vided for an annual
payment to the so-
ciety. He was a trustee of the Florence kindergarten, and at his death
left all his estate to these trustees to be used for educational purposes.
In 1884 Mr. Lilly learned that Smith College needed a building for
scientific purposes, and, a year later, finding that President Seelye had
not obtained the necessary money for the erection of a science building,
he furnished the desired amount. In 1886 Lilly Hall of Science, a fine
structure, suitable for the needs of the college, was dedicated with appro-
priate exercises.
No biographical sketch of Mr. Lilly would be complete without more
LILLY DRUM CORPS.
BIOGRAPHIES. 219
than an incidental reference to his home and domestic life. He was
married at Hebron, Conn., in 1838, to Lucy Maria Crane, daughter of
Isaac and Constantia (Young) Crane of that town. Mrs. Lilly was a
quiet, thoughtful, kind-hearted woman, highly esteemed by all who
knew her. To his friends, Mr. Lilly often spoke of the cheerfulness with
which she practiced economy and self-denial in their early married life
that he might aid his father and mother, and often remarked that he
owed his prosperity to his wife. This home was to him of the utmost
importance. He could not have applied himself so continually to the
active, responsible work had it not been for the rest and recreation of
his home, and those who had claims on his hospitality remarked that it
was a delight to notice the cheerfulness and consideration which he
showed for their comfort and enjoyment. Mr. and Mrs. Lilly had no
children. Mrs. Mary Valentine Ross had her home with them for a
number of years before her marriage. Mrs. Ross's children were a great
comfort to Mr. and Mrs. Lilly in their declining years. Mrs. Lilly died
in 1886. After this Mr. Lilly seemed to be alone. He tried to be cheer-
ful and bear the sorrow without outward manifestations, but to his inti-
mate friends he sometimes disclosed the great grief which oppressed
him.
Early in the fall of 1888, he arranged for the erection of the library
building which bears his name, giving thirteen thousand dollars for the
purpose, and the same season he provided by his will for the disposition
of his estate at his death.
Thus, among his friends, surrounded by such recognitions of his use-
ful life, his strength gradually failed until the end came, January twenty-
first, 1890.
ALFRED P. CRITCHLOW.
By George P. Warner.
Alfred P. Critchlow was born in Nottingham, Eng., in 1813. His
father was a silk stocking weaver. His mother died when he was a lad
of nine years. At fourteen, he was apprenticed to a die sinker, and
served the required seven years' apprenticeship. On becoming of age,
he engaged in the horn button business in Birmingham, and was carry-
ing it on successfully, when, in 1S43, he met the late Josiah Hayden, who
induced him to emigrate, and start the manufacture of horn buttons in
Haydenville. At this time his family consisted of his wife and two small
children, and their experiences during the six weeks' trip across the
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
stormy Atlantic in a sailing vessel were ever after the subject of frequent
joking and merriment by Mr. Critchlow.
He made buttons for the Haydens for two or three years, and then
moved to Florence, and commenced manufacturing wood buttons, mak-
ing them from the common wild laurel found in the woods. Soon he
invented a composition suitable for making buttons, and machinery and
appliances for its proper manipulation,
and began manufacturing buttons and
daguerreotype cases. He made of this
business a decided success, giving it
untiring personal attention ; running
the mill night and day, much of the
time with two sets of hands, and fre-
quently sleeping at the mill, where he
could be called upon quickly in case
of emergency. Samuel L. Hill was
interested in this business with him,
and later Mr. Isaac Parsons and D. G.
Littlefield, to whom he finally sold out
in 1857.
While living in Florence, he became
quite a landholder, owning a large
tract extending from Park street to the
river. On this and other tracts he
erected several houses. Most of the time he lived in the house he built
on the site of Mr. Samuel Porter's brick residence. He was connected
with the local station of the underground railroad, being by nature sym-
pathetic and helpful, and believing that all men are born free and equal.
His broad views unfitted him for living under a monarchial form of gov-
ernment, gave him little respect for royalty, and were the chief reasons
for his coming to America.
Mr. Critchlow always treated his help kindly, and was greatly
respected and beloved by them. A little story shows this, as well as his
own personal courage. One night at the mill, two workmen quarreled
and finally came to blows just as Mr. Critchlow put in an appearance.
He at once jumped right between them, called a halt, and was instantly
obeyed by both, whose feelings of anger gave place to shame and con-
fusion. As the combatants were large men, one being a stalwart six-
footer of pugnacious propensities, and as Mr. Critchlow was very short,
the spectacle presented had a decidedly ludicrous side.
After selling out his business in Florence, he visited his native land,
and, on his return in 1858, bought one of the old woolen mills in Leeds,
ALFRED P. CRITCHLOW.
BIOGRAPHIES. 22 1
and commenced manufacturing vegetable ivory buttons, continuing the
business about fifteen years. This was the first ivory button factory in this
country, and business was so successful that within five years a second
mill was built. Previous to the flood of 1874 he owned quite a portion
of Leeds, and was worth, at least, one hundred thousand dollars. In
1S70. on account of failing health, he withdrew from active work, and
spent eighteen months in England. Later he traveled in South America,
but never fully recovered his health. After rebuilding the mills which
the flood destroyed, Mr. Critchlow held a leading position in the factory
till his death in March, 1881.
Although small of stature, he was a man of broad mind and large
heart, and his charities were neither few nor small. Many have been
helped by him in time of trouble or sickness, and, like all generous souls,
he was sometimes victimized by the unappreciative or undeserving.
He had a "genius for hard work," as well as a wonderfully fertile and
inventive mind. These traits showed themselves in whatever business
he engaged in, whether agriculture, horticulture, or mechanics. He had
also a practical knowledge of chemistry. He was a natural pioneer,
sowing seed that would bear fruit. The present Florence Manufactur-
ing Company is the outgrowth of the business he established.
Mrs. Critchlow and two daughters are still living, Mrs. Naramore of
Perth Amboy, N. J., and Mrs. Warner, wife of George P. Warner, formerly
of Leeds, now living in Denver, Colorado, with whom Mrs. Critchlow
resides.
ELISHA LIVERMORE HAMMOND.
By Harriet B. Gardner.
" The grass may grow o'er the lowly bed,
Where the noblest Roman hath laid his head,
But mind and thought, — a nation's mind
Embalm the lover of mankind."
Elisha Livermore Hammond was born in Newton, Mass., December
twenty-ninth, 1779. He was the oldest of a family of ten children and
his education was limited to a short period in the district school. Quite
early in life he worked at stucco work in Boston, and having an artistic
temperament took lessons for some time of Chester Harding, the artist.
For his second wife he married Eliza Preston, daughter of Dr. John
Preston, of New Ipswich, New Hampshire. He was living in a pleasant
home, earned by years of hard labor, devoting his time to managing a
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
New England farm and painting portraits, for which he had a decided
talent; and, being an ardent abolitionist and an enthusiastic temperance
reformer, he was quite ready, when the claims of the "Northampton
Association for Education and Industry " were presented to him in glow-
ing colors, to sell his home at a sacrifice and follow, as he thought, the
teachings of the greatest reformer the world has ever known. This
appeared to him the beginning of the reign of heaven upon earth, uni-
versal brotherhood. I think, more than any man I ever knew, he tried
to follow Christ's teaching literally. He could not twist and turn them
to suit his life ; he must make his everyday living conform to them.
He joined the association in 1844, and proved a valuable member,
always taking an active interest in its welfare, and doing what he could
to promote harmony in the "hetero-
geneous mass of people of all ages,
colors, and conditions of life," as he
was wont to call them. Although
Community life fell short of his ideal,
he never lost faith in the association's
broad platform, and though he knew
the human race must cast off much of
its selfishness before such a scheme
could succeed, while poorer in purse,
he always felt richer in soul for having
been one of its members. He fully ac-
cepted the closing words of Bronson
Alcott's speech in Florence a few years
ago. Mr. Alcott, after giving a little
sketch of his life, of the many " isms " he
had tried and found wanting, of a visit
lie made to the old Community, think-
ing that was to be the millennium upon
earth, now, in his old age, declared that he had winnowed them all down
to this simple doctrine, " The kingdom of heaven is within."
After leaving the association he built his little cottage in Florence
and lived there with his devoted wife about thirty-five years. Always a
worker with his hands, he managed by strict economy to keep his pleas-
ant home, devoting much time and labor to the many good causes which
appealed to his sympathies.
On the subjects of temperance and tobacco he was a radical of the
radicals. Here is a characteristic paragraph from his journal : —
" Tobacco is yet too respectable to be talked about. Rum used to be, but it
does behave so badly that its conduct is spoken against now by many respect-
ELISHA L. HAMMOND.
From a Painting by himself.
BIOGRAPHIES. 2 2>
able people, and when women come to the front they will open wide the doors
and sweep it out. Hasten the day ! "
The following brief paragraphs taken at random from Ids journal
suggest his habits of thought and the underlying principles that con-
trolled his action, yet he was not a man of theories, and it might almost
be said that his theories were the result of his own experience, of his
daily life.
"My investments in silver and gold have not been successful, but my invest-
ments in humanity have been yielding a percentage quite satisfactory and
remunerative."
" On my platform every human being shall have the privilege of explaining
his or her individual convictions. I do not feel I have any right or authority
delegated to me to coerce my fellow beings, or do anything that shall disturb their
religion or diminish their hopes."
" Honesty is a lost art. It used to be considered a desirable quality adorning
the character of any human being, if for no higher motive than policy. Now it
is dispensed with altogether."
I find this last record in his journal dated July tenth, 1882 : —
" One week ago, the anniversary of my wife's death, I left my Florence home
for a home with my adopted children in Brightwood. Owing to my feeble health
the old house had lost its charm for me, and the new home seems the most rest-
ful place, till I hear the summons, 'Come up higher.' "
So full of faith was he that what we call death was for him only the
setting forth upon a pleasantly anticipated journey concerning which lie
had no shadow of doubt or misgiving. It was by his own request that
his burial was absolutely without ceremony.
The following is an extract from an address by a friend in his old
home, New Ipswich : —
"Such a one, not unknown to some of you, once walked our streets whose
hand was ready and strong in every good work ; a skillful artisan, a sound
thinker, an earnest speaker in his plain, straightforward way, always in the front
rank for freedom, temperance, and all reforms. After he had reached the age of
fourscore years, looking back upon the scene as nearly ended, honored and loved
by all who knew him, he exclaimed : ' I fear my life has been a failure.' Can
you wonder if in the minds of those who heard him, the response at once sprang
up, 'A life like yours is of the highest type ' ? "
Another friend, immediately after his death, wrote : —
" He was a man of strong individuality, possessing remarkable characteristics ;
his intellectual endowments and attainments, together with his acute moral and
social susceptibilities, rendering his position in society one of peculiar bearing
and influence. His temperament was naturally very sanguine and hopeful. His
impulses were quick and earnest ; his humanity broad as the world, and of con-
224 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
stant, untiring activity; while his sympathies possessed a feminine sweetness and
tenderness. He was the coadjutor and companion of Garrison, Foster, Phillips,
Burleigh, Pillsbury, and other noble pioneers of the anti-slavery cause. ' Let
justice be done though the heavens fall,' was the watchword of his life."
MARY WHITE BOND.
By Martha Bryant Cary.
Mary White Bond was born at Canterbury, Conn., May twenty-first,
1836, and died at Florence, Mass., September twenty-fifth, 1891. Her
father, Daniel Herrick Bond, was a descendant of Henry Herrick of
Salem, who came to this country in 1629. The ancestry of the Herrick
family is traced to Eric the
Forester, and later to Sir
William Herrick, who was
connected with the court of
Queen Elizabeth in 1575, a
member of Parliament from
1601 to 1630, and continued
his connection with the gov-
ernment through the reign of
James I. It is an interesting
fact that the coat of arms of
the Herrick family bears the
motto," Virtus nobilitat omnia."
Mary White Bond inherited
HAILSTONES OF THE GREAT STORM, JUNE 20, 70.* J
many of the qualities of her
far-away ancestors, and was a marked illustration of the truthfulness of
the motto upon the Herrick coat of arms — "Virtue ennobles all."
The first paternal ancestor in this country was William Bond, son of
Thomas Bond, of Bury Saint Edmunds, England, who came to Water-
town, Mass., in 1630, with the first settlers of that town. He was select-
man, town clerk, a captain of a company of horse, a justice of the peace,
a member of the council of safety in 1689, often chosen a representative
to the General Court, and four times elected speaker of that body. His
grandson, Nathaniel Bond, sold his property in Watertown, and removed
to Canterbury, Conn., in 17 10. Bethuel Bond, grandson of Nathaniel,
married Ruth Herrick, one of whose children was Daniel Herrick Bond.
*In this picture are two hens' eggs, one at the extreme left, and one in the background,
showing the comparative size of the hailstones, which were only average specimens. Stones
formed in Northampton and Florence larger than anywhere else in the line of the storm.
lIUK'.ttAl'HIIiS.
225
Mary White Bond's mother, Deborah White, was the daughter of
George Savage White, who came with his family from England to this
country in 1S12. He was an Episcopal clergyman, and preached in
various places in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Her
mother died when Mary was thirteen years old, leaving seven children,
the youngest, Henry, being not quite two years old. Her father never
married again, and she remained with him and the children, caring for
them and maintaining the home. Her influence upon her brothers and
sisters was, perhaps, the most important part of her life work, and they
all lived to recognize their great obligation to her for her unceasing
exertions for their welfare.
She inherited the strong mental qualities of her mother's family, and
the love of study and independence of thought of her father, at an early
age manifesting an eager desire for knowledge. All books within her
reach were read, and many often re-
read. She early became familiar with
history, poetry, and many of the stand-
ard works of prose, while later she pur-
sued the study of botany, mathematics,
and German, acquiring familiarity with
the works of the best German authors,
and conversing readily in that lan-
guage. In her knowledge of Shake-
speare and the literature pertaining
to his works, she was the equal of some
of the best scholars of the day.
Her career as a school-teacher com-
menced in 1858 and continued until
1872, first in her native town, after-
wards in Farmington, Conn., and, in
1864, she came to Florence, where she
was made principal of its public
schools. She was an ideal educator, developing in her pupils an enthu-
siastic interest in their studies, and an earnest desire for knowledge.
Many " self-made " men and women to-day delight to do her memory
honor by giving to her the credit of making the right suggestion at the
right time, which sent them forth with new light and courage to make
their way in life.
She saw little of the world by travel, yet she possessed all the culture,
refinement, and ease of manners which are usually acquired only by
those who have the leisure for extensive reading, travel, and social inter-
course. By a liberal purchase of books and photographs of the best
MARY WHITE BOND.
226 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
works of art, and by subscription to the best periodicals and newspapers
of the day, she brought to herself the world she had never visited.
Miss Bond was the first woman elected a member of the school com-
mittee of Northampton, and continued in that position by re-election to
the time of her death. She was selected by Alfred T. Lilly as one of
the trustees of the Lilly Library Association, and devoted her time and
talent to the end that the generous gift of Lilly Library to Florence
should be a positive factor in the promotion of the cause of education in
the village, serving as a member of the book committee, and exercising
great care in the selection of books which would be of value to the
school children in their studies. During the last year of her life, she
formed a plan for additional educational facilities in Florence, under the
scheme known as university extension, but her death prevented its exe-
cution.
In 1873, when the Florence Savings Bank was organized, her brother,
Henry Herrick Bond, was chosen treasurer, but the work was largely
performed by his sister, and after his death, in 1882, she was chosen
treasurer of the bank, being the first woman ever elected to such an
office. This position she occupied during the remainder of her life.
Here she might always be found before business hours, ready to
accommodate those whose convenience required an early call. Here
depositors of all ages were encouraged to come with their savings, how-
ever small. Here, too, she came in contact with almost every phase of
human character, and in her not only the educated and the rich, but the
ignorant and the poor, found a cheering, inspiring, and sympathetic
friend. She recognized true nobility under the roughest exterior, and,
though possessing intellectual gifts and social graces that made her the
peer of the highest, she was never " bored " by the society of the hum-
blest. In her large heart there was room for all.
In the midst of her arduous and faithful labors in school and at the
bank, Miss Bond found time to conduct free classes in several branches
of study for the benefit of her young friends, some of whom met with
her, with only occasional interruptions, during a period of nearly twenty
years. In this way she taught botany, gathering her pupils about her in
her office after business hours, and in favorable weather going with them
on Saturday afternoon to gather and analyze specimens afforded by the
fields and woods of Florence. The class in German met at her home one
evening in each week for fifteen years, and during that time she had the
pleasure of seeing some of her pupils progress from the " First German
Reader" to familiarity with the best writers in that language. How
thrilling the memory of those delightful hours when we, her privileged
pupils, were wont to gather in a friendly circle about the ample table, to
BIOGRAPHIES.
227
partake of the feast thus freely and generously offered ! What pleasure
from time to time to steal a glance at her sweet, strong, benign face, as
she bent in absorbed attention over the book before her !
For eighteen years she conducted a class in Shakespeare, meeting
with her pupils once a week, and it was in this class possibly more than
in either of the others, that they learned something of the depth and
richness of her intellect, and the beauty and nobility of her character.
Henceforth life possessed for them a new and greater meaning. She
gave them higher ideals to live by and nobler ends to work for.
Not the least of her services to oth-
ers was her work as superintendent of
the Sunday-school of the Free Con-
gregational Society of Florence, a posi-
tion requiring much time and thought,
and a service book, which was her own
generous gift to the school, is still used
in the opening exercises.
Miss Bond liked " wide margins,"
as she would sometimes say, humor-
ously, when, opening some book, she
pointed to its clear print and wide mar-
gin, apparently unconscious of the
deep significance of her words, the
truth of which was daily illustrated in
her own life. Though her work would
seem to have been sufficient to absorb
her whole time, she left "wide mar-
gins " for those who needed her, and for those who might call upon her
for aid or sympathy.
But if all were said which gratitude and affection could prompt, the
best would still remain unspoken. We knew her and knew her not.
' For that is the nobility of the great, that they cannot be divined, but
send the seeker farther and farther into their own unsurveyed heavens.'
GEORGE A. BURR.
GEORGE A. BURR.
By Frank N. Look.
Almost without exception, the men who were at the head of the vari-
ous manufacturing interests of the Florence of fifteen or twenty years
ago have died, or have removed to other localities. Seldom is a place
found having such diversified industries, where this is as true as in Flor-
228 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
ence, or where so large a portion of its active men of business are as yet
in the very prime of life, able to give from their full measure of strength
the best of mind and heart for the interests intrusted to them. To some
of those who now bear these responsibilities, counsel, example, and
strength have come from association with those who, alone and under
great difficulties, shaped the successful beginnings of our industries,
the heritage of whose toil and wisdom we now enjoy. To some of us
have come similar qualities, from those who have laid down their work
while in the possession of their full strength, and at the time for doing
their best work \ and, again, from others whose active life has been spent
elsewhere, yet who always gave generously of time and money for
Florence enterprises, influences have come that are fully appreciated by
those who direct the affairs for which they labored. Rich as is this
inheritance, and inspiring as is this record for character and qualities
that ever make for success, as other pages in this volume witness, yet we
must always regret that we have not had the benefit of the ripe experi-
ence and matured judgment of some who, loving Florence, watching her
interests with loyal pride, and planning wisely for the future, have died
in the prime of life, leaving to us the attainment of their anticipations.
George A. Burr was such a man, and, had his life been spared, it must
have been of much advantage to this community. Mr. Burr was born
in Worthington, Mass., December twelfth, 1829, and was an inheritor of
those qualities that have made the true American what he is ; the son of
Ames Burr, one of those men of sterling character who largely made
his own circumstances, instead of being made by them, whose influence
was not merely local, whose sympathies were broad, and whose word was
synonymous with truth.
He grew to young manhood on a farm, attending the district school
and forming his love of nature that never lessened, taking to himself the
strength and ambition coming from the broad outlook from the home
in Worthington, with its pure air and clean surroundings.
With this equipment, he came to Northampton when fourteen years
of age, and began his business career, serving as errand boy for the dry
goods firm of Stoddard & Lathrop. Faithfulness to duty characterized
him at the very beginning. One of his duties was to cover the windows
at night with heavy wooden shutters. One morning he found a notice
of warning, stating that he must be more careful of his work. Recog-
nizing the handwriting as that of a fellow clerk, who may have thought
to discourage him, or to whom the fidelity of Mr. Burr may have been a
reproof, he preserved it for many years as a reminder of his early life.
Fitted by the advances made in this store, he sought a wider field for his
energies, which all recall who knew him during those years.
BIOGRAPHIES.
229
A partnership was formed with Mr. Mclntyre for the purpose of hand-
ling coal. Hour, and grain, occupying the brick building at the railroad
crossing on Main street. Mr. Burr, though now only a young man of
nineteen, at once began to increase the line of business, and early in this
partnership the first carload of coal was received that was ever brought
to Northampton. During this period he learned the telegraph business,
and was wont to tell of his many experiences of his early work.
When Mr. Christopher Clark undertook to arrange for the extraor-
dinary undertaking at that time of a concert by the famous Jenny Lind,
it became necessary to have a liberal guarantee against financial loss,
and he found in Mr.
Burr a faithful ally.
The concert was
given with great suc-
cess, and her coming
led to the happy days
that this sweet singer
spent in Northamp-
ton, "the paradise of
America."
Some of Mr. Burr's
family having gone
West, after a few
years he retired from
the business, and,
while en route for the West, stopped at Bleecker, N. Y., to visit a brother,
and became interested in the lumber and furniture business, in which he
continued for about ten years. Hard work and great energy had built
up a fair business, but the life there was not a congenial one, nor was it
adapted for his family, for, at the time of his going to Bleecker, he had
married Miss Sarah M. Ely of West Springfield.
The entire building and a large portion of the machinery being
destroyed by fire, he at once decided to return to Northampton, and
very soon afterward was elected general agent of the Florence Sewing
Machine Company. Here he found an opportunity for his strength,
and, under his management, this company attained great success, largely
extending its business, and its capital stock increased to twice its nom-
inal value. "Had the same honesty, integrity, and ability governed the
management of the prominent local offices for the sale of machines that
characterized the administration of the home office, the financial con-
dition of the company would have proved a marvel of business prosper-
ity." During his administration as treasurer, the script of the sewing
THE GEORGE A. BURR PLACE.
230 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
machine company was issued, which served as local money for some
time, all but a very small amount being eventually redeemed.
Disposing largely of his stock in this company, though he continued
to serve the interests of stockholders in later years, as all who knew his
keen analysis of managements and men remember, he entered upon the
work of his life, the management and development of the Florence Man-
ufacturing Company. Giving to this business his entire time and
matured powers, he quickly brought it to an assured success. During
the fifteen years of his management, the most cordial relations existed
between employer and employed, officers and stockholders. Visiting
Europe several times in the interest of the business, and being in touch
with the advances made in similar lines of industry, he left this business
as a monument to his sagacity and wisdom in financial matters.
Mr. Burr was for a number of years on the board of assessors and
selectmen. He was for many years a valued member of the board of
directors of the Northampton National Bank, and, from the beginning
of the Florence Savings Bank, was its vice-president.
In politics, Mr. Burr was a stanch Republican, but he never con-
sented to the use of his name for political honors.
In his business life at home and abroad, he was honored and thor-
oughly respected ; under all circumstances a gentleman, his large heart
showing itself in his cordial greeting, a genial host, and attached to
home and family with the strongest of ties.
Facing death for many months, in the full attainment of his man-
hood, he displayed rare graces of patience and continued thoughtful-
ness for others.
Mr. Burr was, throughout his life in Florence, actively interested in,
and a generous supporter of, the Congregational church, giving to it
and to the pastor the best of his counsel and service.
Mr. Burr died January twenty-sixth, 1881, being fifty-one years of
age. His wife and three children survive him, and the memory of his
life lives on in lives helped by him.
HENRY HERRICK BOND.
By Elizabeth Powell Bond.
Henry Herrick Bond was born in Canterbury, Conn., June second,
1847, the youngest child of Daniel Herrick Bond and Deborah White.
He bore the name, Henry Herrick, of the Anglo-American founder of
the maternal side of his father's family. The ancestral line has already
been traced in the sketch of his revered sister, Mary White Bond.
BIOGRAPHIES.
231
The childhood of Henry Herrick Bond was passed in the quiet, rural
village of Canterbury, where he attended the village school, enjoying the
wholesome recreations of country boys, and, at the same time, having
regular duties that supplied all his pocket money. At sixteen, he
removed with his family to Florence, Mass., where his brother, Daniel W.
Bond, had begun the practice of law. During his school days in Flor-
ence, he was a member of the amateur baseball nine, the "Eagles,"
whose competitive games became the occasion of village holidays, and
whose successes and defeats were matters of pride or regret to the whole
village. The strong, personal influence that was characteristic of his
manhood made itself felt in his asso-
ciation with other youths. He did
not preach against profanity, but, in his
presence, the profane word was not
spoken.
At nineteen he laid aside the bat
and ball, and entered the Columbia
Law School of New York, where he
spent two years. The youngest mem-
ber of a large class, he was the only one
who never missed a lecture, and whose
command of phonography enabled him
to make every lecture his own. He
was admitted to the bar of Northamp-
ton in 1869, and immediately com-
menced practice with his brother, then
associated with William Allen, after-
ward Judge Allen of the superior court.
He had a genius for hard work, not only in his own profession, but in
the interests of his town, wherever his efforts might serve the community.
The Homestead Fund, beneficently established by Samuel L. Hill to
aid the mechanics of Florence to secure homes, was committed to his
care and direction. In 1873 the establishment of the Florence Savings
Bank engaged his interest ; and its complete success, under the wise
methods of Miss Bond, has justified his efforts for it.
No desire for personal ease, nor for the gratification of his private
tastes, ever stood in the way of his clients ; and that part of his work
which to a less earnest nature would have been drudgery took on the
interest of determined success. He commenced arguing cases before the
full bench of the supreme judicial court, in September, 1872, and appeared
before the court for this purpose every year until 1878, when he made the
argument in the last case on his list, and left the court house never to
HENRY HERRICK I'.OND.
232 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
return, nor to do any more professional work. His brother, Judge Bond,
says of him : " It can be safely said that during the time he practiced
law, no man of his age ever did more or better professional work. The
presentation of his views upon questions of law was remarkably clear
and forcible. A judge of the superior court of Massachusetts said that
'he could state a proposition of law as clearly as any man at the bar.'
His argument for a new trial at Worcester during the last year he was
practicing law was said, by lawyers who heard it, to be a model and
masterly effort. He was tall and well proportioned, his voice was clear
and pleasant, he spoke earnestly, and with the coolness and deliberation
of a lawyer of years of practice ; he was always master of his case and
had thoroughly examined the principles of the law with reference to the
questions at issue. In the preparation of cases for trial by a jury he had
no equal among the younger and few among the elder members of the
bar. All the facts and inferences were minutely examined, and arranged
in order upon paper, for use at the trial, an examination of the law was
made, and a careful statement of it written out with reference to the
authorities. His opening to the jury was always a strong presentation
of the case. The opening made by him in the case of the Common-
wealth v. Scott and Dunlap was regarded by all who heard it as a
remarkably clear and forcible statement. He never lost his self-control,
he wras respectful to the Court, and courteous to the counsel on the
opposing side ; his arguments to the jury were thorough, and received
by them as coming from a man of honor and integrity."
During the three years of failing health, in which he was forced to
acknowledge to himself that he could not again take up his profession,
his serene courage was never shaken, nor his quiet cheerfulness once
clouded. With everything to live for that a man could have, he faced
death with the fortitude which had characterized his active life. On the
twenty-second of October, 1881, at Millboro, Virginia, he passed away.
At a meeting of the Hampshire Bar on Friday afternoon, January
sixth, 1882, the following resolutions were presented before Judge Al-
drich, and ordered to be placed upon the records of the court : —
RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas, in the recent decease of Henry Herrick Bond the Hampshire Bar
has lost one of its most honored members : —
Resolved, That by his habits of patient and searching investigation, by his
clear discernment and grasp of legal principles, and by the logical exercise of his
mental powers, he had gained a large and accurate knowledge of the law ; and by
a compact and vigorous method of statement he made his knowledge available
and efficient ; while his love of justice, a certain chivalric devotion to his profes-
sion, his honesty of purpose, his sound common sense, and the evident sincerity
BI< KJRAPHIES.
233
of his motives and his speech, gave dignity to Ins professional character and fur-
nished a solid basis for his personal success.
Resolved, That we hold in affectionate remembrance the sterling qualities of
his strong and generous manhood; the urbanity and unvarying courtesy of his
manner, his patience under difficulties and under provocation ; his faith in man ;
his genial friendship ; his tender and sympathetic consideration for tin- feelings
of others ; his modest self-reliance, and the variety and excellence of his literary
attainments. He had the promise of a rich maturity, and of an eminently useful
life. Well balanced and self-controlled, he held on his even way calm and cour-
ageous in life and calm and courageous as its end drew near.
Resolved, That we request that these resolutions may be extended on the
records of this court, and that a copy be transmitted to the family of the deceased.
JOHN LORD OTIS.
By the Editor.
General John Lord Otis was born in Lyme, Conn., July fifteenth,
1827, and commenced the life of a factory hand when only seven and a
half years old, working fourteen
hours a day. He followed this
employment, from "bobbin boy"
to overseer, for eighteen years, de-
voting nights to hard study. .At
twenty-five he was well versed in
most of the branches of manufac-
turing, was a good machinist, and
a mechanical engineer of acknowl-
edged ability. At this time he
took charge of the Pacific mills of
Manchester, Conn., as superin-
tendent, and later established the
Otis Manufacturing Company at
South Manchester, wjiere he was
living when the war broke out.
When the call for volunteers
came he enlisted in what was
afterward known as Company B,
Tenth Regiment, Connecticut
Volunteers, and upon the organ-
ization of the company was com-
missioned as second lieutenant.
He served first in the Burnside expedition at North Carolina, and was
in all the engagements in that department. Passing rapidly through the
GENERAL JOHN LORD OTIS.
234 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
intermediate grades, he was commissioned major of his regiment in
November, 1862, and the following March he was promoted to the rank
of colonel.
January twenty-ninth, 1863, he was ordered, with his command, to
South Carolina, where he served until July, when, becoming disabled by
an attack of fever, he was ordered north to take command of the con-
script camp at New Haven, Conn. Here he remained for two months,
and was then detailed by General Dix to preside over a court martial of
thirteen members assembled for the trial of several officers, against whom
serious charges had been preferred.
In November, Colonel Otis was relieved from detached service at his
own request, and immediately rejoined his regiment, then in Florida, and
was placed in command of St. Augustine, where he remained until April
seventeenth, 1864, and then joined the "Army of the James " on its
organization ; was in all its engagements during the summer, and was
brevetted a brigadier general for special gallantry at " the crossing of
the James, June twentieth, and at the battle of Fuzzells Mills and Deep
Gully." General Plaisted, who was the commander of Colonel Otis'
brigade, wrote to a friend, as follows : —
" I have just heard that our old friend and comrade is dead. It touches me
deeply, as I know it must you. You know my partiality for Colonel Otis — how I
esteemed him as a man, patriot, and soldier. I recollect the first time we met.
It was at the opening of the campaign in Virginia in '64, when the Tenth came
under my command. We sat down on the grass together and talked of the busi-
ness at hand, as one farmer might in the field, with a new neighbor, of the crops
in prospect. I remember the impression he made. There was no military air
about him, any more than about Grant, but I perceived the quality of his spirit
and nerve.
" What I admired most in our lamented friend, next to his patriotic zeal, was
his coolness and judgment. He rose with the emergency, always equal to the
occasion. I never saw him excited but once. That was when we fell back from
the Howlett house battery, June sixteenth, under the fire of Lee's veterans, and
he thought the Tenth was not falling back becomingly. His sword flashed high,
his voice rang out above the din, bringing his regiment to a standstill on the
instant. Riding out, I said to him, 'The orders were to fallback on the run.'
' Oh, I did not understand,' sheathing his sword, so quietly. Ordinarily so quiet,
but in battle how changed his manner, his voice and form ! In the battle of
October seventh his regiment was the rock of defense in our line, his the central
figure ; and how his voice then rang out in the pines, when taking position with-
out a moment to spare ! There was a ring in it, so commanding, as coming from
the finest metal, how could his boys move from their tracks, 'except to make
room for those who fell,' as you remarked at the time.
" But the crowning act of his three years' service was his charge of October
BIOGRAPHIES.
235
thirteenth, when the Tenth had lost so heavily, including our 'knightly soldier,'
Major Camp, and every company commander ! Alar the terrible ordeal, as I said
to him, I looked upon him as one of the- worthies come out of the fiery furnace.
His reply was, ' Now I am ready to go home, I am mustered out — have my dis-
charge,' tapping his breast. •And you went into that charge with your discharge
in your pocket ! ' He smiled. - Well, colonel,' I said, ' that is beyond me. How
could you do it — mustered out and all your thoughts turned toward home ! '"
He was mustered out October eighteenth, 1864, on account of expira-
tion of term of service, his service in the army amounting to three years
WOODED ROAD IN THE RAVINE — SPRING GROVE CEMETERY.
and four months, and he left the service with the rank of brigadier
general. He was wounded three times, once at New Berne, and twice
at Kingston.
At the close of the war General Otis came to Florence and became
superintendent of the old Florence Sewing Machine Company, but after
two years withdrew, and in company with L. B. Williams established the
Northampton Emery Wheel Company, under the firm name of Otis &
Williams. Later a stock company was formed with General Otis secre-
236
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
tary, treasurer, and business manager. He was a Northampton select-
man twice, a representative to the legislature in 1877, and state senator
in 1879 and 1880.
General Otis died at Tarpon Springs, Florida, March fourteenth, 1894.
For several years ill health led him to spend his winters in the South,
thus avoiding the extreme cold of the northern climate. In January,
1894, while preparing to leave Florence, he sustained an attack of heart
disease, but rallied sufficiently to enable him to make the journey.
PINE STREET BRIDGE — A VISTA NEAR THE KRUSII FACTORY.
However, his strength failed soon after reaching Tarpon Springs, and
the end came quite suddenly.
In 1848 Mr. Otis married Catherine Preston of Northampton, and his
wife and two children, Harry P. and Philip A., survive him, all residing in
Florence.
A loving husband, a kind father, a manly citizen, and a brave soldier
was General Otis, and Florence will ever revere and cherish the memory
of his noble life.
INDUSTRIAL INTERESTS.
Florence is a manufacturing village, and the products of its mills
and factories have been scattered far and wide throughout the world.
How the first enterprises were planted here, and how they thrived, is
told in Part I. of this work. But Florence was then in its infancy, and
the industries which sprang up after the dissolution of the Community
will now receive the attention which their importance deserves.
The Nonotuck Silk Company. — The Nonotuck Silk Company stands
first on the list of the manufacturing industries. Its early establishment
OLD WOODEN MILL.
FINISHING DEPARTMENT AND OFFICE.
BUILDINGS OF THE NONOTUCK SILK COMPANY IN 1875.
and continued prosperity and importance entitle it to this position. It
may be said that the business had its beginning in the mulberry fever
and silk enterprise of Samuel Whitmarsh. The Community continued
making silk till its dissolution in 1S46, when Mr. S. L. Hill assumed
charge. In 1850 Mr. Hill was embarrassed by the failure of a brother
manufacturer, whom he had assisted and on whose notes he was an
indorser, and he was obliged to lease his silk mill to H. K. Macomber
and Curtis R. Parsons, who continued the business under the name of
Macomber & Parsons.
Mr. Hill now turned his attention to farming, and also dealt in lum-
ber, but soon, with the assistance of Mr. S. L. Hinckley, he was enabled to
begin the manufacturing of silk again. The firm name was the " Nono-
238
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
tuck Steam Mills, S. L. Hill, Agent," although they used the name of " Hill
& Hinckley " in important financial transactions. They occupied a
portion of the brick building owned by Valentine & Sowerby, which
now forms a part of the Oil-Gas Stove plant. The first spool of machine
twist manufactured in this country for sewing machines was made by
Mr. Hill. When the lease of the old wooden mill on Nonotuck street
expired, Mr. Hill was to take possession, but the mill burned level with
the ground on July nineteenth, 1852, the day of the expiration of the lease.
A new mill was built upon the ruins of the old one, and soon the pros-
perity of the firm warranted an extension of the business ; E. W. Eaton,
A. T. Lilly, Lucius and Ira Dimock, and J. D. Atkins were admitted as
MILLS OK THE NONOTUCK SILK COMPANY.
partners, and on July first, 1855, ine Nonotuck Silk Company was organ-
ized. On February sixth, 1866, the company was incorporated with a
capital of $75,000.
The business has steadily increased, and new buildings have been
added from time to time in Florence, Leeds, and Haydenville. The
latest addition to their already extensive plant is a large factory in
Hartford, Conn., which is now being fitted up for manufacturing pur-
poses. The company manufacture machine twist, sewing, embroidery,
rope, etching, and knitting silks in fast colors, also silk hosiery and
underwear. Their " Nonotuck " and " Corticelli " brands are deservedly
popular, and have no superiors on the market. In 1852 twenty-live
INDUSTRIAL INTERESTS.
239
employees worked up one hundred and fifty pounds of raw material a
week. At present nearly eight hundred hands are employed and the out-
put is between five and six thousand pounds a week. The capital of
the company is $1,000,000 and the officers are : president, Ira Dimock,
Hartford, Conn. ; treasurer, E. W. Eaton, New York ; secretary and
assistant treasurer, George H. Ray ; superintendent, Samuel Porter ;
directors, Lucius and Ira Dimock, B. A. Armstrong, E. W. Eaton, and
Samuel Porter.
E. W. EATON. J. D. ATKINS. LUCIUS DIMOCK.
A. T. LILLY. S. L. HILL. S. L. HINCKLEY. IRA DIMOCK.
THE ORIGINAL STOCKHOLDERS OF THE NONOTUCK SILK COMPANY.
The Florence Furniture Company was organized in 1873, with a
capital of $20,000, the principal stockholders being mechanics and work-
men in the shop. There has been a gradual increase in the business,
and additions were made to the original plant in 1S80 and 1888, until the
buildings are now two hundred and ten feet long by thirty-five feet
wide, with three floors and basement, in which are employed about
thirty-five hands.
240 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
The goods manufactured are all grades of wood and cloth covered
burial cases and undertakers' supplies, the market for which is almost
exclusively in New England.
Mr. A. T. Lilly was president till his death in 1S90. H. B. Haven has
been treasurer and manager from the organization. The present officers
are : S. B. Fuller, president ; H. B. Haven, treasurer ; S. B. Fuller, G. S.
Graves, W. J. Warner, H. F. Cutler, and W. L. Wilcox, directors.
The Norwood Engineering Company was organized with a capital of
$10,000, in February, 1892. At present about thirty hands are employed,
the company doing a general foundry and machine business, dealing in
steam plants and manufacturing cutlery and paper machinery. The
officers are : H. P. Otis, president ; W. A. Stevenson, treasurer and
manager ; H. P. Otis, H. A. Kimball, and George S. Graves, directors.
The first buildings, now extensively enlarged, erected on this site,
were put up about 1870 for the Sheffield Manufacturing Company, which
proposed to convert iron into a metal resembling steel. The attempt
was a failure, however, and the buildings were soon after purchased by
B. M. Couch, who used them for a foundry and machine shop for many
years, until A. G. Hill bought the property.
The Crown Braiu Company. — The old Greenville cotton factory now
forms the center of a group of buildings used by the Crown Braid Com-
pany for the manufacture of worsted and silk braid. The business was
started in 1888 by Freeman Brothers, who employed ten hands. A large
addition, now used for a dyehouse and drying rooms, was built the same
year, and now all save two floors, which are used for manufacturing silk,
are devoted to the braid business.
Hiram Wells & Company. — Mr. Wells was a machinist, and after
the Community dissolved he formed a partnership with Mr. Hill, who
furnished working capital. The company did a general machine busi-
ness, having their shop in the basement of the silk mill. This building
was burned in 1852, and the company moved to the Valentine dyehouse
before referred to. Portable circular sawmills, pumps, and grip
wrenches were manufactured here, Mr. D. J. Littlefield being a partner
at one time.
Mr. Wells lost the larger part of his right hand in an accident, but he
became quite skillful in using the remaining fingers and thumb. Several
fires destroyed the pattern shop and did other damage, and the business
was dealt a fatal blow on July 11, 1859, when the boiler exploded, killing
the proprietor, and badly damaging the buildings. Soon after the estate
came into the possession of the Florence Sewing Machine Company.
IMH'S I'RIAL INTERESTS.
241
Florence Manufacturing Company. — In 1854 S. L. Hill and I. S.
Parsons became associated with A. P. Critchlow in the manufacture of
papier mache buttons, and union cases for daguerreotypes and ambro-
types. The firm was A. P. Critchlow & Co. In 1857 D. G. Littlefield
became a partner, and in 1868 Mr. Critchlow sold out and the firm name
was changed to Littlefield, Parsons & Co., and so remained till in the
summer of 1866, the demand for the daguerreotype cases having declined,
George A. Scott, S. L. Hinckley, George A. Burr, Mr. Littlefield, and Mr.
Parsons formed the Florence Manufacturing Company, this company
being the successors of Littlefield, Parsons & Co. The new firm began
manufacturing toilet brushes, mirrors, lockets, etc.
The reputation these " Florence " articles enjoy is an enviable one,
and from the first the policy of the company has always been to stand
at the head for variety of styles and elegance of designs.
WORKS OF THE FLORENCE MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
The company at the present time manufacture tooth brushes, making
a specialty of the Prophylactic, " Cosmeon " pure aluminium goods,
Florence composition brushes and mirrors, and wood back toilet articles.
The aluminium goods possess great merit, and seem destined to be even
more popular than the well known " Florence" line.
The main factory, a brick building, three stories high, one hundred
and forty by forty-five feet, was built in 1866. In 1885 a building, one
hundred by fifty feet, and two stories high, was erected adjoining the
main structure, and in 1893 the " office " addition, thirty by forty-five
feet, three stories high, was made necessary owing to the constantly
increasing business.
242 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
The company has a capital of $100,000, and employs from one hun-
dred fifty to one hundred seventy-five hands. The present officers arc :
E. W. Eaton, president ; Frank N. Look, treasurer and general manager;
J. E. Winchell, secretary ; E. W. Eaton, H. R. Hinckley, and Frank N.
Look, directors.
The (Bensonville) Greenville Manufacturing Company. — This
company, which was organized in 1S46, bought the brick factory of the
Northampton Association, and began manufacturing cotton cloth.
George W. Benson was the prime mover. He failed in 1850, and the
name was changed to the Greenville Manufacturing Company. In 1867
the officers were : President, S. Williston ; Treasurer, J. P. Williston ;
Secretary, A. L. Williston. The capital stock of the company was
$100,000. The business of cotton manufacturing steadily declined until,
in 1S86, the property was bought by the Nonotuck Silk Company.
The Florence Tack Company commenced the manufacture of tacks
and small nails, in 1874, being one of the first concerns of this kind in
Western Massachusetts. The plant burned down in 1876, with quite a
loss to the new company, which at once erected a new building and
before 1877 were turning out their goods again. George W. Bond, a man
of keen inventive genius, was superintendent, and he made the draw-
ings for the machines used in the manufacture of the tacks and nails.
The company failed in 1892. Some of the machinery has been removed,
the remainder has been sold and destroyed, and the shop remains idle.
Florence Sewing Machine Company. — An old shop, now surrounded
by new buildings, built about 1844, on the site of the Oilgas Stove
plant, was used as a dyehouse, and afterwards for the manufacture of
silk, by Valentine & Sowerby. The buildings were afterwards used for
the manufacture of circular sawmills and various kinds of machinery
job work, by Hiram Wells & Company. It was while at work in this_,
simp, that I.. W. Langdon experimented; while busifid with his invent u .n
of the Florence sewing machine. D. G. Littlefield and S. L. Hill joined
with Mr. Langdon, and, after spending considerable money in experi-
ments, perfected and brought out the first machine in the year 1861.
In 1S61 the first company was formed, with a capital of $125,000. In
1862 it was increased to $200,000, and in 1S64 the first building was
erected. In 1866 the capital was increased to $500,000.
Business was brisk at the works for several years, the company
employing a large number of men, and. making several additions to the
plant. In 1876 the manufacture of oil stoves was commenced and in
1882 the Crown sewing machine superseded the old Florence. Many
changes in the management accompanied the varying success of the
INDUSTRIAL IN I'KkLSTS.
'■43
business from year to year. About 1SS0 (). N. Kyle became the treasurer
of t he company. In 1888 Karl A. Thissell, as superintendent, assisted
Mr. Kyle in the management of the works, and on the death of Mr. Kyle,
October tenth, 1889, he became the treasurer of the company.
The Central Oilgas Stove Company was incorporated November
fifteenth, 1890. It absorbed the Florence Machine Company ; American
Oil Stove Company, Gardner, Mass. ; Monitor Oil Stove Company,
Cleveland, O. ; Union Gas and Oil Stove Company, New York city ;
and thirteen other oil and gas stove manufacturing companies. Their
salesrooms are at Boston, New York city, and Chicago, and their manu-
facturing plants in Gardner, Mass., Greenwich, Conn., Jackson, Mich.,
and at Florence, Mass., at which place is the home office.
THE CENTRAL OILGAS STOVE COMPANY'S WORKS AT FLORENCE, GARDNER, AND JACKSON.
Their manufactures are wood cabinets for silk manufacturers, the
Crown sewing machine, which has a reputation of being equal to any
sewing machine built, and an almost endless variety of oil stoves ; also a
large variety of gas stoves. These stoves are for both cooking and heat-
ing purposes, and have a world-wide reputation.
The officers of the company are : John C. Hammond, president ; Earl
A. Thissell, first vice-president ; Charles W. Conant, of Gardner, second
vice-president; William H. Wilder, treasurer; Herbert D. Burnham,
assistant treasurer; W. XV. Tandy, auditor. The directors consist of the
president, vice-presidents, treasurer, H. P. Field, H. P. Wilder of
Gardner, L. H. Littlefield of Pawtucket, R. I., and Calvin H. Hdl of
Chicago, 111.
244 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
The John N. Leonard Silk Company. — When Captain Conant, E. D.
Swift, and O. S. Chaffee withdrew from the Community in October, 1842,
they purchased Enoch Jewett's farm, including the water power and shop,
and began manufacturing silk in a small wood mill they erected, which
now forms a part of the Leonard factories between Florence and the
Center. The firm name was J. Conant & Company. Mr. Swift died
soon after, and Porter Nutting and John Harten were interested in the
new venture for a short time, until a new firm was formed, Warner,
Holland & Company (Joseph Warner, J. Harvey Holland, and Caleb M.
Hartwell), which continued the business until, in 1852, WTarner & Skin-
ner (Warner, L. D. Suydam, and William Skinner) succeeded the old
firm. Mr. Skinner sold his interest in a few years to Mr. Warner, who
carried on the business alone until 187 1, when J. S. Lathrop became Mr.
Warner's partner. Luther Warner succeeded Warner & Lathrop in 1877,
the date of Mr. Warner's death. Several changes in the management
have been made in recent years, and now the above corporation has the
following board of officers : President, Samuel Porter; treasurer, Luther
Warner ; secretary, John W. Combs. Directors : the president, treas-
urer, and secretary, with John L. Warner and Charles E. Eaton.
Amos Sawyer started the soap business in 1852, on the site of the
electric car barns. When he began he sent out only one team, but the
business increased rapidly, and in 1868 he built a large factory, and later
made extensive additions to his plant. The business prospered until fire
destroyed the factory with all its contents in the early evening of Sun-
day, May eighth, 1887.
Florence Savings Bank was incorporated February twelfth, 1873,
on the petition of Samuel L. Hill, George A. Burr, A. T. Lilly, A. L.
Williston, and Isaac Parsons. To Rev. F. W. Bishop, the first pasto'r of
the Methodist church, is due the credit of starting the bank, he having
proposed the undertaking to several business men. The first president,
A. T. Lilly, remained in office till his death in 1S90, when Samuel Porter
was elected. H. H. Bond, the first secretary and treasurer, in whose law
office in Davis block the first meeting of trustees was held, and where
the banking was conducted for several years, was succeeded in 1880 by
his sister, Mary W. Bond, who was the first woman to hold the office of
treasurer of a savings bank in Massachusetts, and who continued to per-
form with skill and fidelity the duties of the office until her death in
September, 189 1. The office of the bank remained in Davis block until
1891, when it was moved to the present quarters of the bank. Miss
Mary E. Gould succeeded Miss Bond, and Miss Emilie M. Plimpton was
appointed bookkeeper.
INDUS I KIAI, INTERESTS.
245
Number of depositors one year from incorporation, 232 ; amount of
deposit. $19,478; number of depositors, November first, 1894, 1,289;
amount of deposit, $281,899 5 guaranty fund in 1894, $13,767.
MISCELLANEOUS.
In the month of January, 1867, several of the citizens organized the
Florence Mercantile Association, with the object of selling groceries, dry
goods, etc., as cheaply as possible, and still pay a fair dividend on the
money invested. The association erected the brick block on Main street,
since known as Branch's block. The capital stock was less than $6,000,
and in five years from organization dividends amounting to forty per
cent, had been paid. Dissensions arose, however, and in 1876 the
stockholders voted to disband, R. M. Branch buying the stock on hand.
Cutler, Plimpton &; Company. — In 1865 William A. Godfrey and
L. K. Baker erected a small building on what is now the corner of Maple
and West Center
streets, and moved jr3
their store from the
old cotton factory
boarding house to
this new building.
Henry F. Cutler
bought a half interest
in the business, April,
1866, a short time pre-
vious to Mr. Godfrey's
death, and later ob-
tained L. K. Baker's
stock at auction. Mr.
Cutler conducted the
business about two years, selling out to R. M. Branch, who remained
proprietor nearly twelve months, when the firm Cutler, Plimpton & Com-
pany (H. F. Cutler, L. F. Plimpton, and V. E. Cleveland) was formed, and
took possession of the business. After a few years Mr. Cleveland with-
drew, George T. Cutler taking his place. Several additions to the new
building have been made necessary by the continually increasing busi-
ness, and where the firm employed no clerks at the start, now the services
of seven are required. The business consists of nearly all kinds of mer-
chandise.
R. M. Branch bought the property of the Mercantile Association in
1876. Mr. Branch at that time was a member of the firm of I. S. Parsons
HC
sawyer's soap factory.
From the original sketch by C. C. Burleigh, Jr
246 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
& Company ; he closed the store on Nonotuck street, moving the goods
to the brick block on Main street, now known as Branch's block, where
he has since conducted a store, dealing in general merchandise.
Graves Brothers. — In 1844 Nelson Askins opened a livery stable on
Nonotuck street. For fifteen years the owners wyere Nelson Askins,
Sylvester J. Bosworth, Fordyce Loomis, Taylor, Loomis & Atkins, and
G. E. Atkins. In 1859 Edward E. Graves purchased a half interest in
Mr. Atkins' business, and later in the same year George S. Graves pur-
chased the other half interest of Mr. Atkins. In 1867 they erected their
present stables on Maple street.
Austin Ross. — When the Community dissolved, Austin Ross bought
the farm and continued the milk business. His son, Dwight A. Ross,
now has the management of this long established business. The large
barns were erected in 1869.
August Assing, Sr., tailor, came to Florence in 1854, from Derms-
dorf, Germany. Two years later he built his house on Maple street,
where his shop has since been.
John W. Bird. — The first Florence newsdealer was a Mr. Brigham,
who opened a news store in 1867. A Mr. Upton succeeded him, and later
W. H. Riley purchased the store and moved it from Little's block into a
small building on the corner of Main and Maple streets. Mr. Riley sold
out to L. Woodward, who in turn sold out to John W. Bird, August first,
1883. The little store was replaced by Maine's block in 1S89. Mr.
Bird's business is that of a bookseller, newsdealer, and stationer.
Crossman & Polmatier. — Thomas A. Orcutt started the hardware
business in 1870, and two years later built a store, now Crossman &
Polmatier's, and began the stove and tinning business. Mr. Orcutt sold
out in 1879, and from that time the store had a number of proprietors,
among them being Samuel Wilder, until 1886, when Crossman & Polma-
tier bought it. This firm does a general hardware and plumbing busi-
ness, employing from four to nine men.
John Irwin established himself in the village in 1867, and continued
the business of a mason until his death in 1872, when Henry Swift
became proprietor. Mr. Swift died in 1889, and his son, John N. Swift,
the present owner, took charge of the business.
Nelson A. Davis opened the first drug store in the place, in the
spring of 1871, and still conducts the same business. Davis block, a brick
building forty-five by sixty feet and three stories high, was built in 1870,
and besides store and office room has a commodious hall.
INDUSTRIAL [NTERES is.
247
Arthur M. Ware. — For thirty years there lias been a meat market
on the site now owned by Arthur M. Ware. M. II. Ware purchased the
business in 1S77, of C. L. Warren. Mr. Ware in turn sold it to Ware &
Taylor in 1888, this firm continuing for two years, when Arthur M. Ware
bought out his partner's interest. He employs three men and does a
large business.
Israel A. Graves has been a real estate dealer for thirty years, and
has conducted a livery stable during the last fifteen years.
Florence Hotel. — This landmark was erected over forty years ago
by Joel Abercrombie, who conducted it as a hotel for a number of years.
James Stone, who succeeded him, managed the house for seven years,
and then Hiram Munson purchased it. After one year, Charles Osgood
accepted the management, and in a short time he sold it to the present
THE OLD "FLORENCE HOUSE.'
From a photograph taken about 1S60.
proprietor, Michael Cooney. The house was formerly two stories in
height, the present proprietor having made many improvements both
inside and out.
Myron C. Howard started in the house painting business in March,
1871. The business has steadily increased until now he employs from
ten to twenty men. He owns the brick block at the junction of Park
and Meadow streets, where he conducts his business of painting, paper
hanging, decorating, etc.
Rudolph Furth, Jr. — In June, 1877, Rudolph Furth, Sr., erected a
building on the site of the engine house for a barber shop. His son.
248 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
Rudolph Furth, Jr., succeeded him several years ago, and is now pro-
prietor.
Charles O. Parsons. — The business now conducted by C. O. Par-
sons, consisting of coal, wood, flour and meal, hay and grain, besides a
general store for the sale of clothing and men's furnishings, was started
by his father, H. K. Parsons, in 1876. In 1880 the present large build-
ings were erected and the business has prospered so that now six men
and teams are given constant employment.
Walter C. Goodwin, carpenter, erected his present wood factory
on Myrtle street in 1876, and has since manufactured packing boxes, and
conducted a shop for general wood-work. The building was enlarged
in 1880, and again in 1890. A few years ago he built a steam sawmill
on the road to North Farms, where he gets out lumber for his shop.
Robert H. Pease purchased the grain store of L. B. Moore in 1877.
A year later he moved to the Squires building, and in 1881 erected his
present block on North Main street, adding to his business a line of
groceries and men's furnishings.*
Thomas A. Orcutt. — In 1879 J. M. Davis and T. A. Orcutt formed a
partnership to conduct undertaking, and carriage making and repairing,
having their works in the Squires building. Mr. Davis sold his interest
to Mr. Orcutt after six months, and Mr. Orcutt remained proprietor
till 1892, when D. D. O'Donnell bought an interest in the undertaking
business.
George N. Davis. — For twenty years there has been a jeweler at
Davis' Pharmacy, and the present proprietor, George N. Davis, bought
out E. M. Beckwith in February, 1894. For years William M. Smith had
this stand.
Thomas Roche purchased the insolvent estate of F. A. Barnes,
dealer in drugs and medicines, last spring, Roche's block, formerly
Stone's, was built in 1884, F. A. and VV. E. Barnes starting the drug
business the same year.
George N. Baker, insurance agent and dealer in real estate, suc-
ceeded to the business established in 1873 by Mr. Morse. His office is in
Knights of Honor block.
Frank W. Bissell, carriage and sign painter, bought out J. C. Jager,
in April, 1889. Mr. Jager had carried on this business since 1879. Mr.
Bissell's shop is in the Squire's building on North Maple street.
William H. Rice started the ice business in 1884. In 1888 he pur-
* This was written previous to the death of Mr. Pease, December seventeenth, 1S94.
INDUSTRIAL INTERESTS. 249
chased the coal business of W. C. Goodwin, and now employs several
men, having his office in M. C. Howard's block.
Ferdinand Schadee started the photography business in Branch's
block in 18S5. He had previously been in Northampton, the firm being
Hardie & Schadee.
Mrs. Mary C. Shannon. — In 1886, Misses Mary and Maggie Powers
Opened a millinery and dressmaking store in Stone's (Roche's) block.
Three years later the former, then Mrs. Mary C. Shannon, moved to
Maine's block, where she now conducts a store devoted to millinery and
ladies' furnishings.
Mrs. Mary S. Mann is the owner of the cluster of greenhouses on the
corner of Pine and Maple streets. She commenced in a small way in
1887, and now has about twelve thousand feet of glass, and employs from
four to six hands besides the foreman.
E. P. Root, wagon maker and repairer, came to Florence in 1887 and
now has his shop in the Squire's building.
Samuel Li.oyd, who was a butcher, started the manufacture of
pressed corned beef in 18S7. Two years later he built his present quar-
ters, putting in steam power and modern machinery. He employs from
two to six men, and finds a ready market for his celebrated " Steam
Condensed Beef."
Frank D. R. Warner purchased the candy business of Charles L.
Moody, then situated in Little's block, in 1889, and two years later moved
to his present location, corner of Main and Maple streets. He carries
in stock a full line of musical merchandise.
F. H. Stone's meat market and grocery store was established in 1890,
in the Koche block. The livery business of. E. A. Stone is now controlled
by Mr. F. H. Stone.
Michelman Brothers' (Max and Myer) dry goods, clothing, and
men's furnishing goods business was started four years ago by the
brothers, Israel, Philip, Max, and Myer Michelman, in their present
quarters in Knights of Honor block.
Miss Mary E. Gould. — Miss Mary W. Bond, in connection with
Miss Gould, opened an office for fire insurance, in 1891. Since the death
of Miss Bond the business has been conducted by Miss Gould.
John J. Delaney purchased the barber shop owned by Dennis Fitz-
gerald, which was located in the hotel, on May seventh, 1891, and a few
days later removed it to Cooney's block, refitting the shop with modern
improvements.
250 HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
, George H. Burnham erected his present livery stable in 1891, and
has since conducted the business.
Elbridge W. Patrell opened a grocery store in Davis block in
March, 1892.
PoLMATiER & Addis. — A. J. Polmatier opened a trimming and plumb-
ing shop, in March, 1893, and later formed a partnership with Edwin C.
Addis. Last October they opened a stove and tin store in Knights of
Honor block.
ERRATA.
On page 34, line 4, read 1835 instead of 1834.
On page 59, line 19, read 1836 instead of 1833 or 1835.
On page 126, line 9, read Giles B. Stebbins instead of Giles D.
Stebbins.
>
4249
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