History of Western Massachusetts. the counties of Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire. by Josiah Gilbert Holland. In Two Volumes and Three Parts. Vol. II - Part III Town Histories. Published by Samuel Bowles and Company, Springfield: 1855 this message also posted on this URL (copy & paste) History of Ashfield by Josiah Gilbert Holland, 1855 http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec?htx=message&r=rw&p=localities.northa m.usa.states.massachusetts.counties.franklin&m=767.4 Library call number: 974.4 H71 v.2 Names found in this transcription: Hunt, Ellis, Phillips, Smith, Rice, Williams, Belding, Alden, Fuller, Cranston, Ames, Sherwin, Porter, Sanderson, Porter, Shepard, Grosvenor, Baldwin, Clarke, Gilbert, Chapin, Jones, Withington, Humphrey, Blaisdale, Pierson, Stone, Downing, Cleveland, Gardner, Bement, Cross, Dyer, Lilly, Paine, Parker, Sears, Taylor, White, Lyon, Drake, Grey page 309 History of the Towns of Franklin County. Ashfield. Ashfield is situated in the South Western part of the county of Franklin, eighteen miles from the county seat, and at an elevation of some 1,200 feet above the waters of the Connecticut. It was originally called Huntstown, in honor of Capt. Ephriam Hunt, of Weymouth, who was sent out by order of the Government, in the year 1690, as Comander of a company, selected from that town and vi- cinity, to aid in the reduction of Montreal and Quebec. So confident were the colonies of success in this war, that no express provision had been made for the payment of the troops. But, after encountering numerous hardships, distasters and severe suffering, they returned, failing in their object, and receiving no recompense, except bills of credit issued by the colony of Massachusetts, as a substi- tute for money, and of little value in their hands. After a delay of forty-six years, those bills were redeemed, so far as this company was concerned, by granting the, their heirs and legal representatives, a tract of land within the limits of this town. In the conditions of the grant, express provision was made for the early settlement of the town, page 310 the erection of a meeting house, the settlement of a learned and orthodox minister, and for common schools. By a committee of the General Court, sixty-three lots, called "Rights" containing from fifty to sixty-three acres each, according to the quality of the land, were set off, and num- bered, to be disposed of as follows : One right to be given to the first settled minister, one for the use of the ministry, one for the use of common schools, and the remaining sixty rights to be divided by lot among the officers and privates of the company. The grantees, or proprietors, organized at Weymouth, March 13th, 1738, and July 24th, 1739, met again at the same place, and drew lots for their respective rights; and again May 28th 1741, when they passed a resolve, that a bounty of 5 pounds should be paid to each of the first ten of their number who should take actual possession of his right, build a house, and bring under cultivation six acres of land. But it does not appear that any of the original proprietors had the hardihood to settle in what was then a howling wilderness, and their rights were sold, from time to time, as opportunity offered, and in may cases for only a little more than was sufficient to pay the taxes that had accumulated upon them. The first settler was Richard Ellis, a native of Dublin, Ireland, who planted himself about 1745. He felled the first tree, and built for himself and family a log house, in the North Eastern portion of the town. He was soon fol- lowed by Thomas Phillips, from Easton, whose sister Ellis had married. He built a log house about one-half mile North of Mr. Ellis. A third family soon joined them, - that of Mr. Chileab Smith, from South Hadley. Other families joined them from different portions of the country, from time to time, so that, by the year 1754, after the lapse of nine years, they numbered from ten to fifteen fam- ilies, and nearly on hundred souls. They had labored and toiled, as none by the pioneers of the forest know how to labor and toil, to obtain a comfortable support for their families, up to this year, which was memorable for the breaking out of fresh hostilities between the French and English; and savages were again let loose upon the de- fenseless inhabitants. In the month of June, of the next year, a party of men, at work near Rice's fort in the upper page 311 part of Charlemont, were attacked by a body of Indians, and two of their number killed, and two taken prisoners. As soon as the news of this massacre reached the settlers, they hastily collected such things as they could transport on horseback, abandoned their houses and lands, and fled, with their families, to the older settlements on the Connec- ticut. After the lapse of about three years, they returned, and built a fort around the house of Mr. Smith, for the common defense. The fort was nine rods square, and built of logs, of sufficient size to be bullet proof, set three feet in the ground and rising tweleve feet out. This fort had but one gate, opening to the South. Into this fort they retired at night, and barricaded it to be safe from the enemy. Upon its roof was constructed, of logs, a tower, of sufficient size to hold six men with arms. They re- mained in this condition about one year, laboring by day, and keeping watch by night, when they solicited and ob- tained, from the authorities of the colony, a company of nine soldiers, under command of Col. Israel Williams. This company continued with them, protecting them by day while at their labors, and watching over them by night, for nearly two years, until the close of the war. The Indians were never seen in the vicinity of their fort but once, and then finding them so well guarded they did not molest them. They continued increasing gradually, in population and properity, until June 11, 1765, when the town was incor- porated with the name of Ashfield. The warrant, to call the first meeting, under the act of incorporation, was issued by Thomas Williams, Esq., of Deerfield, and directed to Samuel Belding, clerk of the town. The first town offi- cers under this act were, Benjamin Phillips, town clerk; David Alden, treasurer; Chileab Smith, Moses Fuller and Thomas Phillips, selectmen. The first representative cho- sen was Capt. Elisha Cranston, in 1775, to represent the town in the assembly to be convened at Watertown, Bos- ton being then in the hands of the British. They took an early an active part in the war of the Rev- loution. The following preamble, and resolutions, drawn up as early as 1774, and signed by Benjamin Phillips and page 312 sixty-four other citizens, will show something of their spirit :- "We the subscribers, inhabitants of the town of Ashfield, from a principle of self preservation, the dictates of natural conscience and a sacred regard to the constitution and laws of our country, which were instituted for the security of our lives and property, do severally, and mutually covenant, promise and engage with each other and all of us : "1st. That we profess ourselves subject to our sovereign Lord, the King, and hold ourselves in duty bound to yield obedience to all his good and wholesome laws. "2d. That we bear testimony against all the oppressive, and unconstitutional laws of the British Parliament whereby the chartered privileges of this Province are struck at and cashiered. "3d. That we will not be aiding, nor in any way assisting in any trade with the island of Great Britian, until she with- draw her oppressive hand, or until a trade is come into by the several colonies. "4th. That we will join with our neighboring towns in this province, and sister colonies in America, in contending for and defending our rights, and privileges, civil and religious, which we have a just right to, both by nature and by charter. "5th. That we wil make preparation that we may be equipped with ammunition, and other necessaries at town cost, for the above purposes. "6th. That we will do all we can to suppress petty mobs, trifling and causeless." In August, 1774, the town voted to send an agent to Al- bany to purchase guns and ammunition, at the expense of the town. Notwithstanding the pressing emarrassments under which they labored at this period, we find them, at one time, voting a lot of coats to the army : at another, of- fering a bounty to such as might enlist from among them to serve in the war, and, at another, voting a sum of money to purchase provisions for the famishing army. In 1779, the town voted to pay the soldiers enlisted from among them, for nine months, in addition to the bounty paid by the General Court, forty shillings per month - the value of money to be regulated by corn, at 2s. 6d. per bushel, rye at 3s. 4d., and wheat at 4s. 6d. In 1780, the town voted to give, by way of encouragement, to any who should enlist in the army for three years, twenty calves - said calves to be procured the following May, and kept at the page 313 expense of the town, until the three years had expired. in 1781, the town voted to raise ninety silver dollars, to purchase the amount of beef that fell to their share, for the army. Such was the spirit which animated the fathers of this town during the time "that tried men's souls." The war of the Revolution ended, and peace entire pre- vailing, the people devoted themselves to the labors of the field, free from all danger of molestation. They cleared away the forest, cultivated their lands, and increased in population and prosperity. By the enterprise, perserver- ance, diligence and economy of its inhabitants, this town continued to hold, and still holds, a position among the most populous, wealthy and enterprising towns situated on the mountains. The greatest number of inhabitants was in 1820 : 1,748. The ecclesiastical history to the town is coeval with its first settlement. The first church (Congregationsl) was organized with fifteen members, Feb. 22, 1763. The first meeting house was raised in 1766. The second and pres- ent house of worship of the Congregational society was built in 1812. An incident connected with this house seems worthy of notice. Col. John Ames of Buckland had contracted to build the house for a stipulated sum. When he had nearly completed it, he went out very early one morning in June, back of the house, and committed suicide, by opening the jugular veins with a chisel. The fear of sustaining heavy loss, and, perhaps, some degree of insanity, were supposed to be the causes which led him to this melancholy act. A Baptist church was organized in the north part of the town in 1761, and a house or wor- ship built. In 1831, the society built their present mett- ing house. In 1820, and Episcopal society was formed, and in 1829 a church, called St. John's, was erected on the plain, the central place of business. The Universalists have a society and a metting house about one mile and a half East of the plain, on what is called the Flat. The Congregational church has had eight pastors. The first, Rev. Jacob Sherwin, was ordained Feb. 23d, 1763: dismissed May 17, 1774. The second, Rev. Nehemiah Porter, was installed Dec 21, 1774, and died Feb. 29, 1820, aged 99 years, 11 months, and 7 days. He was able to enter the pulpit in his one-hundredth year, and give the [unexplained number at the bottom of the page-> .27] page 314 address to the people at the ordination of his colleague. Rev. Alvan Sanderson, the third pastor, was installed as colleague with Mr. Porter, June 22, 1808. He died June 22, 1817. Having no family, he bequeathed his property narly as follows: to the church in Ashfield, to purchase a bible, $20; to the religious society with which he had been connected, for the support of a Pedo-Baptist Con- gregational minister, $400; to the Hampshire Missionary society, $200; to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, $300. The remainder, consisting of $1,500 or $2,000, he committed to the care and man- agement of a board of trustees, for the continuance of a school which he had connenced under favorable auspices, and it continued under the direction of this board, by the name of Sanderson Academy. The fourth pastor was Rev. Thomas Shepard. He was ordained as colleague with Mr. Porter, June 16, 1819, and dismissed May 8, 1833. Rev. Thomas Shepard. He was ordained as colleague with Mr. Porter, June 16, 1819, and dismissed May 8, 1833. Rev. Mason Grosvenor, the fifth, was installed May 9, 1833, and dismissed July 16, 1835. Rev. Burr Baldwin was settled as sixth pastor, April 20, 1836, and dismissed Sept., 1838. Rev. Sereno D. Clarke was the seventh pastor, and was ordained over the church June 11, 1840, and dismissed April 22, 1851. Rev. Wm. H. Gilbert, the present pas- tor, was installed Dec. 3, 1851. The first regularly constituted church in the town was of the Baptist order. It was organized July, 1761, with nine members, and in August following, Rev. Ebenezer Smith was ordained as pastor. In May, 1768, Nathaniel Chapin and 17 others sent a petition to the General Court, setting forth that they were Ana-Baptists, and praying to be exempt from taxation for the support of the Congrega- tional ministry. After repeated and perservering efforts, during which they were subject to many trials, the petit- tion was granted. Mr. Smith was dismissed in 1798, and his borther, Rev. Enos Smith, ordained as his successor. He continued as pastor about forty years. Several have succeeded him, but the pervalence of Perfectionism among them has reduced them to a small and feeble state. Rev. Lot Jones, Rev. William Withington, Rev. Mr. Humphrey, Rev. Silas Blaisdale, Rev. Mr. Pierson, Rev. Mr. Stone, Rev. Mr. Downing and Rev. Mr. Cleveland, have successively officiated in St. John's Church. page 315 The amount of money raised for the support of schools is not in proportion to the avails of the industry of the town. There are fifteen school districts, and about 400 scholars between the ages of five and sixteen years. Eight hundred and fifty dollars raised by tax for the year 1853, and, in addition, $56 57 from certain school lands, with $76 10 from the state, constitute the amount expended in the town for common school education. A select school is usually maintained one quater in the year, in the Sander- son Academy, which, at the present time, is in rather a dilapidated condition, but efforts are now maturing to re- pair it, and put it in good condition for school purposes. The amount of property invested in school houses is small, in proportion to the wealth of the town. The appraised value of her school houses would not exceed $3,000. Agriculture is the leading interest. The soil is of that hard and rocky nature, which is found generally on the slopes and plains, and in the valleys of the Hoosac moun- tain, and is better adapted to grazing than tillage. The farms in general are well cultivated, and yield very good rewards. Wool, lambs, meat stock, horses, butter, cheese and maple sugar, are tha chief articles of export. Corn and oats are rarely raised beyond individual wants. Pota- toes, to some extent, are an article of commerce, and are usually of good quality. The want of ample water power has prevented capital of much amount from being invested in manufacturing enterprises. Saw mills are erected on the streams, and considerable timber is sawed during the season of high water, and carried to other places for sale. There are, within the limits of the town, fourteen saw mills worked by water power, and one by steam power, the lat- ter being in operation most of the year. There are sev- eral establishments for manufacturing broom handles which are in operation only about one halg of the year. There is one plane factory, on a moderate scale, and one for manu- facturing yankee notions in general-mincing knives, pill boxes, &c., owned by N. & S. Gardner. There are also two tanneries. This town is the native place, and residence in early life of seventeen ministers of the orthodox congregational or- der : Rev. Rufus Bement, recently settled in Tiffin City, Ohio, is now lecturing on Egypt, where he spent two years page 316 in traveling; Rev. Wm. Bement of Elmira, N. Y.; Rev. John Cross of Illinois; Rev. Anson Dyer, who was em- ployed as teacher and laborer by the American Board among the Choctaw Indians, from 1820 to 1828, was or- dained as an Evangelist in West Hawley, April 21, 1831, and was deposed from the ministry for "unministerial con- duct," March 26, 1834; Rev. Alvah Lilly, in the employ of the American Home Missionary Society in Wisconsin; Rev. Elijah Paine, who ranked high among his acquain- tances as a scholar, a theologian, a man of sound judg- ment, correct principles, fervent piety, and unimpeachable integrity, died, as pastor of the church in West Boylston, Nov. 13, 1834; Rev. John C. Paine of Gardner; Rev. William P. Paine of Holden; Rev. Melzar Parker of Wisconsin; Rev. Samuel Parker, who made an ex- ploring tour under the direciton of the American Board, through Oregon, in 1835-6 and 7, an account of which he published in a volune of 371 pages, now resided in Ithica, N. Y.; Rev. Charles S. Porter, recently called from the Curch of the Pilgrims in Plymouth to South Boston; Rev. Free- man Sears settled at Natick, Jan 1, 1806, died June 30, 1811; Rev. Oliver M. Sears, settled in Dalton, Sept. 29, 1847, died Oct., 1853; Rev. Preserved Smith, died in War- wick, Aug. 15, 1834, as pastor of a Unitarian church; Rev. Preston Taylor of Sheldon, Vt.; Rev. Morris E. White, ordained at Southampton, June 20, 1832, now resides in Northampton; Rev. Francis Williams, ordained in East- ford Parish, Ashford, Ct., Sept. 22, 1841. In May, 1826, a casualty occured which produced a profuound sensation in the town. Five individuals were drowned in the pond West of the Plain, while engaged in washing sheep, viz: Dea. Aaron Lyon, aged 63, Arnold Drake, 28, William, son of Dea. Lyon, 18, William and Robert Grey, 15 and 12, sons of Eli Grey. It was a beautiful morning when they left their homes, with the full expectation of returning again to their families at night, but night found them wrapt in the sleep of death. One remarkable fact noticed, was, that not one of them, after sinking the first time, ever rose, till his body was brought up by others. Although Dea. Lyon's body was under water only fifteen minutes, yet all efforts to resusciate him proved unavailing. In a fit of merriment, while under the page 317 influence of ardent spirits, which at that time were consid- ered necessary on such an occasion, six of their comapny seated themselves in a log canoe, with two sheep, for the purpose of a short sail. On reaching deep water, about eight or ten yards form the shore, the canoe dipped, filled, and went under. The amount of taxes raised in Ashfield for all purposes in 1853 was $4,423. In 1849, 60,000 pounds of maple sugar were produced in the town. The territory covers 38 square miles and 281 1/2 acres, and is traversed by 75 miles of roads. The population in 1840 was 1,579; in 1850, 1,521; decrease in ten years, 58.