Worcester County, Massachusetts - Chapter 81: West Brookfield, 1889

Chapter 81: West Brookfield

The town of West Brookfield should have been called Brookfield. It was the first place of settlement on the origin.al grant ; it held the first church, and holds the ancient burial-ground within its borders, and was made the First Precinct when the old town of Brookfield was divided into three. On the 28th of May, 1750, the Second Precinct was incorporated, including substantially the territory now included within the limits of North Brookfield, and on the Sth of May, 1754, the Third Precinct was incorporated (now Brookfield), leaving the west part (now West Brookfield) to retain the name and powers of the First Precinct. The steps taken to obtain the divi-ion of the town into precincts, and the several acts of incorporation, may be found stated in detail in the history of Brookfield in these volumes. A sketch of the church in the First Precinct up to the date of the incorporation of West Brookfield may also be found in that history ; this narrative, therefore, will be confined chiefly to the career of the town since its incorporation.

In 1812 the town of North Brookfield was incorporated. The division of the remainder of the old town of Brookfield, after Warren or Western, as it was originally called, had been set off in 1741, and North Brookfield in ISl'J, was accomplished without contest and by general consent. At a town-meeting held on the 22d of November, 1847, at which Alanson Hamilton acted as moderator, it was voted " that^the town choose a committee of two, one from each Parish, to present a petition to the next legislature to send out a disinterested committee to report to their body the terms upon which the town be divided, and that the town will abide said decision, provided that the town shall not disagree among themselves upon the terms of division pi'evious to the first of January next, in which case said committee will petition the legislature to divide the town upon the terms agreed upon." The committee consisted of John M. Fiske and Francis Howe, the former from the First and the latter from the Third Precinct. A committee of twelve was also appointed, consisting of Baxter Ellis, Baxter Barnes, Nathaniel Lynde, Wm. Adams, Joseph Dane and Avery Keep, from the First Precinct; and Parley Blanchard, Elliott Prouty, Alfred Rice, AV'm. J. Adams, Wra. Howe and Charles Flagg, from the Third Precinct, to consider terms and conditions of a division, and report to the town. At an adjourned meeting, held on the 27th of December, the committee made the following report, which was accepted :

Tlie Committee cliosen by the town of Brookfield to consider and agree upon »n equitiible division of said town into two distinct towns, in such manner and on such terms as shall subject each town to bear its .jt.st proportion of the burdens or expenses, and prevent liabilities of the whole undivided town, submit the following report ; - Having duly considered all the facta and circumstances that we could bring to our minds, tbey are of the opinion that the town should bo divided by the same line that divides the two ancient parishes, and the part lying west of saiil line, exceiit Preston Howe's land, shall be incorporated asanew and distinct town, by the name of West Broolifield. w ith the following conditions or agreement, viz. : - If the County Commissioners fchall order, either the road from Ware to West Brookfield depot, or the road from Fiskdale to South Brookfield depot, or both of them, to be made as they are now located, except a slight alteration may be made without additional expense within two years, each town shall pay an equal portion of the expense of making said road or roads, also of the present debts of the town, if any tliere be ; West Brookfield shall relinquish and give up to Brookfield all their right or int-rest in the town farm, with all the pei-sonal property on or belonging tlu-reto ; Brookfield shall keep and support all the paiipers who are now at the said establishment during their lives, West Brookfield paying to Brookfield lifty cents a week each for one-half the number of saitl paupers now at said alms-house during their lives. The names of the persons to be thus supported areas follows, and no other person, viz. : - Joseph Porter, Abigail Staples, Simeon

Maiiha Richiinlson, EUzab^lh Ilobbs, Harriet Richards, Sally Forbes, Sally Parker, Huldali Wood, Ulary Walker, Miuy M'ard, Esther Jennings, Srtl'y Thoiuas, Abigail Paddock, John Lindley, William Kicbardson, Emily P. Morso nnd Orin IIjiniiltDn. Ruth Henshaw, insane, is to be supported by the town of Brooktitdd, and Harriet Candy to bo supported in West Bi'oukfield. All persons who may hereafter claim town aid are to be supported or assisted by the town in wliose territorial limits they may have gained a settlement, by the laws of the commonwealth, prior to the division of said town. West Brookfield shall have the right to visit said alms-house, by an agent or committee, for the purpose of seeing that said paupers are well treated or taken care of. The expensfs necessarily incuired by your committee tliey pray may be allowed, and that the town direct the Selectmen to give an order to Parley Blancliard, their chairman, fur the sum of sixteen dollars for that purpose.

On the 4th of February the town voted to petition the Legislature for an act incorporating the new town substantially in accordance with the terms of the report, and on the 3d of March, 1848, the following act was passed :

Sec. 1. All that part of the town of Brookfield, in the Covinty of Worcester, whicli lies westerly cf the line hereinafter described, is hereby incorporated into a separate town by the name of West Brookfield, and the said town of West Biookfield is hereby vested with all the powers, privileges, rights and immunities, and shall be subject to all the duties and requisitions to which other towns are entitled and subjected by the constitution and lawa of the Commonwealth. The dividing line between the two towns shall be and the same is hereby established as follows : Beginning at the north end of said line at a town monument between Brookfield and North Brookfield; thence south eighteen and three-fourth degrees west tliirty-one rods and twenty-two links to a stake and stones ; thence south eighty-six degrees west twenty-four rods ; thence north eighty-four and three-fourths degrees west ten rods and eighteen links ; thence south fifty six and three-fourths degrees west seventeen rods and five links; thence south fifty-four degrees west fif. teen rods and twenly-threo links ; thence south sixty-nine and onethird degrees west fourteen rods and twenty-two links; thence south seven degrees west nineteen rods and seven links ; thence souih twentyfour and one-fourth degrees west nine rodsand nine links; thence north fifty-six and one-fourth degrees west twelve rods; thence north fiftytwo and three-fourths degrees west sixteen rods ; thence south nine degrees west sixty-six rods and twenty links; tht-nce south fifteen degrees west sixty-six rods and twenty links; thence south nine degrees west seventeen rods and seventeen links; thence south eighty-two and one. half degrees west fifteen rods and three links ; thence south five and one-half degrees oast fifty-nine rods and seven links ; thence south fifty, nine degrees west eighteen rods and twelve links ; thence suuih fortythree and one-half degrees west eight rods; thence south ten and onehalf degrees east seven rods and four links ; thence south thirty degrees east seven rods and four links ; thence south fifty-threeand one-half degrees east nine rodsand thirteen links; thence south thirty -four degrees west twenty-six rods and thirteen links ; thence south seventy-five and three quarters degrees east nine rods and twenty links; thence south nine and one-fourth degrees west three rods ; thence south seventy-four degrees east sixteen rods ; thence south twenty and one-fourth degrees west one hundred and tweiity-nino rods to the north bank of the river; thence southerly to the middle of the river; thence down the middle of the river to a point opposite the corner of land of Reuben Blair and the Brigham Farm, lying on the southerly side of said river ; thence southerly to said corner ; thence south thirty-three and one fourth degrees west one hundred and eighty five rods and fifteen links; thence north sixty-eight and three-fourths degrees west thirty-three rods and twenty links; thence south sixteen degrees west two hundred and thirty six rods and twenty links; thence south sixty-seven and three-fourths degrees east thirty-two rods ; thence south seven degrees west three rods ; thence south seventy degrees east sixteen rods and eight links ; thence south seventeen degrees west forty rods and two links ; thence south eighty-four and three-fourths degrees west seven rods and fifteen links; thence south three and one fourth degrees west twenty-six rods ; thence south eighty-five and one half degrees west twenty-five rods and thirteen links ; thence north sevent-- and three fourths degrees west twenty -eight rods and eighteen links ; thence north eighty-six and one-half degrees west twenty-eight rodsand five links; thence south twelve rods; thence south twenty-nino and one-half degrees west forty-four rodsand fifteen links; thoncc south seventeen and one half degrees west fifty-five rods and fourteen links ; thence south seventy five and one half degrees east ninety rods; thence south thirteen and one-third degrees west eightyeight rods and twenty-two links ; thence north seventy-five degrees west sixty-one rods and twenty links; thence south nineteen and three-fourths degrees west eighty rods; thence south forty and one-half degrees east seventeen rods ; thence north twenty-five degrees east twenty-three rods and fifteen links; thence south eighty degrees east fifty-four rods and ten links; thence south thirteen and one-third degrees west one hundred and twenty-seven rods and five links; thence north sixty-five degrees west sixty-eight rods and ten litiks ; thence south sixty-two degrees west eleven rods and twelve links ; thence north forty-nine degrees west five rods and nine links ; thence north si.xteen degrees west twelve rods ; thence north sixty-one and one-half degrees west forty-two rods and twenty links, to a point on the town line between said Brookfield and Warren.

Section 2. The inhabitants of West Brookfield shall be holden to pay to the collector of Brookfield all arrears uf taxes legally assessed on them in the said town of Brookfield before the passage of this act, and also shall !»e holden to pay tlieir proportion of State and County taxes that may be assessed upon them previously to the taking of the npxt State valuation, said proportion to be ascertained and determined by the town valuation of the town of Brookfield next preceding the passage of this act ; and the said town of West Brookfield shall be holdon to pay one-half of the debts due and owing from the town of Brookfield at the time of the passage of this Act, and shall be entitled to receive one-half of all corporate personal property except as hereinafter provided and all assets now owned by said town of Brookfield ; and tlie town of West Brookfield shall i>e entitled to receive one-half of the school fund belonging to or receivable by the town of Brookfield.

Sec. 3. The poor farm belonging to the town of Brookfield shall remain and continue to be the property of the town of Brookfield, together with all the personal property on or attached to said farm. And the said town of Brookfield shall support during their lives the followingnamed persons, provided the same shall continue to be paupera and require support to wit: Joseph Porter, Simeon Johnson, David Snow, Elenor Gilbeit, Abigail Staples, Solon Phipps, Hannah Lawrence, Martha Kichardson, Elizabeth Hobbs, Hannah Kichard.-*, Sally Forbes, Sally Parker, Huldah Wood, filary Walker, Mary Ward, Esther Jennings, Sally Thomas, Abigail Paddock, John Lindley, Wm. Richardson and Emily P. Morse. And the said town of West Brookfield shall pay to the town of Brookfield the sum of twenty fiv.e cents per week for the support of each of said persons respectively so long ds they shall severally live, whether they thall continue paupers or otherwise. And the town of Brookfield shall hereafter support Ruth Henshaw, a pauper, and the town of West Brookfield shall support Harriett Casey, a pauper, so long as they shall respectively requiie support. The towns of Brookfiidd and West Brookfield shall be respectively liable for the support of all other persons who now do or hereafter shall stand in need of relief as paiipers wliose settlement was gained by or derived from a residence within their respective limits.

Sec. 4. If the County Commissioners shall, within two years, order the construction of the road which has been located from Ware to West Brookfield Depot, and the road which has been located from Fiskdale to South Brookfield Depot on either of said roads as the same are located or 80 altered as not to increase the expense, the towns of Brookfield and West Brookfield shall each pay one-half the expense of said road or roads.

Sec. 5. The town of West Brookfield shall continue to be a part of the town of Brookfield for the purpose of electing a Representative to the General Court, St;ite otficers, Senators, Representatives to Congress, and electors of President and Vice-President of the United States, until the next decennial census shall be taken in pursuance of the thirteenth article of amendment of the constitution ; and all meetings for the choice of Siiid officer shall be called by the selectmen of the town of Brookfield in like manner and in the same phices as heretofore called ; and the selectmen of West Brookfield shall make a true list of all persons in said town qualified to vote at every such election, and shall, ten days at least before the day of every such election, deliver the same to the selectmen of Brookfield, to be used by them in the same manner for such elections as if prepared by themselves.

Sec. 0. Any justice of the peace within and for the county of Worcester is hereby authorized to issue his warrant directed to any principal inhabitant of the town of West Brookfield, requiring him to notify and warn the inhabitaiite thereof qualified to vote in town affairs to meet at the time and phico tliereiri appointed for the purpose of choosing all auch town nflflcers as towns are by law authorized and required to choose at their annual meetings ; and such justice, or in his absence, such principal inhabitant shall preside till ttio cliuice of a moderator in said meeting.

In conformity with the provisions of the act of incorporation, Elisha Hammond, of West Broolcfield, a justice of the peace, issued a warrant to George S. Duell, a principal inhabitant of West Brookfield, requiring him to notify and warn the inhabitants of said town qualified to vote in town affairs to meet at tlie town hall in said town on Monday, the 27th of March, 1848, to choose town officers and raise such sums of money as might be needed for town affairs, and also to decide on the manner of calling meeting-* of the town. The town hall, so called, was the Congregational Church, which had in alternate years with the Congregational Church in the south part of the town been used for town meetings. The warrant was dated March 11th and was duly served by Mr. Duell, who made his return of service on the same. At the meeting Alansim Hamilton was chosen moderator, and a prayer was offered by Rev. Leonard S. Parker, then pastor of the Congregational Church in West Brookfield. The following town officers were chosen for the year: Selectmen, Alanson Hamilton, Eli Chamberlain, Baxter Barnes, Mandley Peirce, Bramin Sibley; Town Clerk - Jacob Dupee; Assessors - Alanson Hamilton, William Cowee, William R. Thomas; Tre.isuier - Lucius Tomblin ; Oierseers of the Poor - Jesse Bliss, Seth Crabtree and Avf ry Keep; Visiting School Committee - Leonard S. Parker, William Curtis and William R. Thomas; Fence- Viewers - Nathaniel Lynde, Joseph A. Sprague and John M. Fiske ; Measurers of Wood and Bark - Lucius Tomblin, William Cowee and T. Lindsey ; Measurers of Leather - H. Brown, B. T. Leland and Joseph A. Sprague; Sealer of Weights and Measures - William Barrett; Surveyors of Highways - Horace F. Watson, Bostwick Gilbert, Linus Banister, William Barrett, Augustus Makepeace, Seth Crabtree, Warren Blair, Bramin Sibley, Mandley Peirce and Aretas D. Gilbert; Surveyors of Lumber - George H.Gilbert, Lucius Tomblin, Senate Johnson; Fire- Wards - Avery Keep, J. M. Fiske, H. Brown, G. Crowell, A. C. Gleason and G. W. Lincoln ; Field- Drivers - I. Lincoln, G. Crowell, E. W. Coombs, Joseph A. Sprague, J. M. Fiske, Arad Gilbert, C. T. Cooke and Avery Keep.

It was voted to put out the collection of taxes to the lowest bidder, and George S. Duell took the collection for one and a quarter per cent. George S. Duell and Charles Cutter were chooen constables, and it was voted that warrants for town-meetings should be posted at least seven days at the Congrtgational Church and at the school-house near the hou-e of William Adams.

Josiah Henshaw, Nathaniel Lynde and Isaac Gilbert were chosen a committee to ascertain the financial condition of the town and report at an adjourned meeting on the 17th of April. At the adjourned meeting the committee reported that the outstanding orders of the two towns amounted to §750. Due on account of schools, $80 ; due on account of tax abatements, $50; due on account of poor, $153.52; due on account of contingent expenses, $100.48 - $1,134. Assets deducted, $434.45 - amount of indebtedness, $699..55, one-half of which is West Brookfield's share : $350.

The committee recommended appropriations which were made as follows: One-half of iudebtness of the two towns, $350 ; schools, $900 ; roads, $300 ; contingent and tax discount, $225 ; poor, $450 - total appropriations, $2,225.

It was also voted that the sum of six hundred dollars be worked out on the roads as a labor tax. The following is a list of the selectmen of the town since its incorporation, chosen in the years set against their names :

Jacob Dupee served as clerk from 1848 to 1857, inclusive; E. Hutchins Blair, from 1858 to 1879, inclusive, and in 1880 H, W. Bush, the present clerk, was chosen, Lucius Tomblin served as treasurer from 1848 to 1851, inclusive ; Oliver S, Cook, from 1852 to 1856, inclusive; Hammond Brown, from 1857 to 1859, inclusive ; E. H. C. Blair, from 1860 to 1866, inclusive ; A. C. Gleason for the year 1867, and E, H, C. Blair from 1868 until his death, in May, 1887, George H, Fales was then appointed to fill the vacancy and was chosen by the town at the annual meeting in 1888.

While presenting lists of the most prominent officers of the town, it will not be out of place to include in this narrative the names of those who have represented the town in the General Court, In the act of incorporation it was provided that for the purpose of choosing these, West Brookfield should form a part of Brookfleld until the next State census in 1850, In 1848 the two towns chose no representative and in November, 1849, Oliver C, Felton, of Brookfield, was chosen to represent them. Those chosen in West Brookfield at the election in the following years were ; Chosen in 1850, William Curtts ; 1851, Horace J. Rawson ; 1852, none; 1853, Baxter Barnes; 1854, William R. Thomas; 1855, none; 1856, John M, Fales,

Twenty-first Amendment to the Constitution, which was approved by the people May 1, 1857, providing that a census of the legal voters of each city and town should be taken on the first day of May, 1857, and returned to the Secretary of the Commonwealth on or before the last day of June, and a census of the inhabitants of each cily and town in 1865, and every tenth year thereafter, including the legal voters. The amendment also provided that the House of Representatives should thereafter consist of two huudred and forty members, who shall be apportioned by the Legislature, at its first session alter the return of the census, to the several counties of the Commonwealth, according to their relative numbers of legal voters and the apportionment certified to the mayor and aldermen of the city of Boston and to the county commissioners of other counties than Suffolk, who shall, on the first Tuesday after the receipt of the apportionments, divide their counties into representative districts and assign to each its number of representatives. Under the apportionment of 1857 the towns of Warren, West Brookfield and New Braintree constituted the Eleventh District of Worcester County and were entitled to one Representative. The following is a list of the Representatives cho.-en to represent that district in the nine succeeding years :

Chosen in 1857, Samuel E, Blair, of Warren ; 1858, Nelson Carpenter, of Warren ; 1859, George Crowell, of West Brookfield; 1860, Joseph Rawson, of West Brookfield; 1861, Lucius J. Knowles, of Warren; 1862, Sexton P. Martin, of New Braintree; 1863, John M. Fales, of West Brookfield ; 1864, Lucius J. Knowles, of Warren ; 1865, Nathan Richardson, of Warren.

Under the apportionment of 1866, based on the census of 1865, the towns of Sturbridge, Brookfield, West Brookfield, North Brookfield and Warren constituted the Eighteenth Worcester District and the following were chosen to represent that district in the ten succeeding years :

C, Morse, of Sturbridge, Joseph B. Lombard, of Warren ; 1868, Ezra Batcheller. of North Brookfield, Daniel W. Knight, of Brookfield ; 1869, Benjamin A. Tripp, of Warren, John Harvey Moore, of Warren ; 1870, Martin L. Richardson, of Sturbridge, George S, Duell, of Brookfield ; 1871, Daniel W, Knight, of Brookfield, Simon H. Sibley, of Warren ; 1872, Noah

D. Ladd, of Sturbridge, William B. Stone, of West Brookfield; 1873, Warren Tyler, of North Brookfield, Stillman Butterwprth, of Brookfield; 1874, Charles B, Sanford, of West Brookfield, George T, Lincoln, of Sturbridge ; 1875, Charles Fuller, of Sturbridge, John Wetherbee, of Warren,

LTnder the apportionment of 1876 the same towns constituted the Twelfth Worcester District and were represtnted as follows during the ten succeeding years :

Chosen in 1876, William H. Montague, of North Brook6eld, George W. Johnson, of Brookticld ; 1877, George C. Lincoln, of North Brookfield, Alvin BChamberlain, of Sturbridge ; 1878, Theodore C. Bates, of Norlh Brookfield, Joseph Smith, of Warren ; 1879, George W. Johnson, of Brookfield, George N. Bacon, of Sturbridge; 1880, George A. Parratt, of West Brookfield, George M. Newton, of Warren, died (Lucien M. Gilbert, of Warren, filled vacancy) ; 1881, Hiram Knight, of North Brookfield, David W. Hodgkins, of Brookfield ; 1882, Emory L. Bates, of Sturbridge, Horace W. Bush, of West Brookfield; 1883, Allen Batclieller, of North Brookfield, Joseph W. Hastings, of Warren; 1881, Edwin D. Goodell, of Brookfield, David B. Wright, of Slurbridge; 1885, Edwin Wilbur, of West Brookfield, Marcus Burroughs, of Warren.

Under the apportionment of 1886 the towns of Brookfield, West Brookfield, North Brookfield, New Braintree, Oakham, Slurbridge and Warren constituted the Fifth Worcester District and the following Representatives have been chosen to represent it :

Chosen in 1886, Edwin D. Goodell, of Brookfield, Samuel Clark, of North Brookfield ; 1887, George H. Coolidge, of West Brookfield, Henry D. Haynes, of Sturbridge ; 1888, George Bliss, of Warren, John B. Gould, of Warren.

In the early life of West Brookfield little occurred to arrest the attention of the historian or interest the reader. Its current flowed wiih gentle tide, bearing satisfactory prosperity to its enterprises and peace and happiness to its people. Its real history lies back of its incorporation far in the past and is owned in common with its sister towns. Brookfield, though the Third Precinct, inherits the name and records of the original town, while West Brookfield, really the mother instead of sister of the towns at the north and south, and holding within its borders the ancient landmarks of Quabaug, has scarcely passed the fortieth year of its municipal age. It would be a fitting acknowledgment of its historic record to place in its keeping the ancient archives and christen it anew with the name which rii;htfully belongs to it. South Brookfield is the title which Brookfield often bears in the records, and to an impartial eye it seems more applicable to-day to the town from which West Brookfield was separated in 1848.

As owners in common of the memories of the good old town, the citizens of the three towns of Brookfield, North Brookfield and West Brookfield celebrated the anniversary of our national independence on Saturday, the 3d of July, 1858. The purpose of the celebration was a double one, - both to celebrate the event which the day commemorated and, as stated by the committee in their circular, sent to the sons of the three towns, to make preliminary arrangements for the two hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the town, which would occur in 1860. The circular was signed by Aaron Kimball, Francis Howe, Lewis

Abbott, S. W. Banister, Perley Stevens, Luther Stowell, Oliver C. Ftlton, Calvin Jennings, Otis Hayden, Emmons Tvvichell and Alfred Rice, of Brookfield ; Araasa Walker, Daniel Whitney, Hiram Edson, Charles Duncan, William Adams, George H. Lowe, Royal Pickard, Ezra Batchellor, Lysauder Brewer, James H. Hill and Bonum Nye, of North Brookfield, and Alanson Hamilton, Nathaniel Lynde, Ebenezer Merriam, John M. Fales, Augustus Makepeace, Ebenezer Fairbanks, David A. Gleason, David L. Merrill, Raymond Cummings, George W. Lincoln and Warren A. Blair, of West Brookfield. At that time the population of the three towns, in the order here given, was 2007, 2.307 and 1363 respectively. A dinner was held in a tent pitched on the Common in Brookfield and nine hundred guests were seated at the tables. A procession, under the Chief Marshal George D. Clapp, with Tyler Hosman and Henry L. Mellen as his aids, contained four divisions in the following order and marched through the principal streets to the tent:

Hon. Amasa Walker, of North Brookfield, presided, assisted by the following vice-presidents: Hon. Francis Howe, Hon. Oliver C. Felton, Abraham Skinner and Aaron Kimball, of Brookfield ; Hon. Alanson Hamilton, Nathaniel Lynde and Ebenezer Merriam, of West Brookfield, and Colonel Wm. Adams and Pliny Nye, of North Brookfield. D. L. Morrill, of West Brookfield, was toast-master. The speakers, besides the president, were Hon. Pliny Merrick, Hon. Dwight Foster, George Howe, of Boston, Wm. Howe, of Brookfield, Henry Upham, of Boston, Rev. C. Cushing, of North Brookfield, and Dr. Hitchcock, of Newton.

On the 15th of March, 1860, the following circular was issued, preliminary to the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the town. The original grant was made May 31, 1860, but for some reason it was thought expedient to celebrate the event on the 4th of July.

Brookfield, March 15, ISGU. Dear Sir; The present year marks the two hundredth Anniversary of the settlement of the town, and it is thought desirable and proper that the event should be commemorated in a suitable manner

A general meeting of the citizens of the several towns, into which the ancient town of Broolitield has been divided, has been held, and the undersigned appointed a Committee to make arrangements for the occasion and invite tlie attendance of all who may feel au interest in it.

We, therefore, respectfully extend to you an invitation tube present on the Fouith of July next, the day fixed upon, as on the whole the most eligible and convenient.

The Sons and Daughters of Brookfield are scattered far and wide in all the States in the Union ; but the Committee trust they will be happy to come together on an occasion so fraught with interesting associations and reminiscences.

The first settlejnent having been made in that part of the old town now incorporated as West Brookfield, and the site of the first Bleeting- House, the old garrison which stood successfully the Indian Siege of 1675, the Gilbert Fort and the first Grave Yard being also in that section, the Committee have decided to hold the proposed celebration in that town. Kev. Lyman Whiting, of Providence, R. I., has been invited to deliver the address, aud every effort will be made to give interest to the occasion.

A large tent will be erected upon the Common, in which the services will be held and the dinner be provided. Tickets to the Tent and Dinner, one dollar.

The celebration was cariied out in accordance with the plans of the committee. The streets and houses were decorated, and Wednesday, the 4th of July, will long be remembered by the sons and daughters of the ancient s-ettlement. At nine o'clock the citizens of V/est Brookfield, uader escort of the Oakham Band, proceeded to Foster's Hill, the site of the first church and fortification, aud there met the citizens of Brookfield and North Brookfield, attended by the Brookfield Cornet Band, and marched to the Common. There a formal procession was organized under Chief Marshal S. D. Cooke and marched to tlie old burial-ground, and thence to the tent on the east end of the Common, where the tables, set for twelve hundred, were completely filled. Hon. Amasa Walker acted as president of the day, and called on Rev. Dr. Joseph Vaill, of Palmer, to invoke the divine blessing. After the dinner Mr. Walker addressed the assembly and Rev. Lyman Whiting, of Providence, followed with an historical address of nearly two hours in length. After the addnss speeches were made by Rev. C. Gushing, of North Brookfield, Dr. Eliakim Phelps, of Philadelphia, a former pastor of the First Prtcinct Church, N. B. Chamberlain, of Boston, Rev. Mr. Burr, of Brookfield, Rev. C. M. Cordley, of West Brookfield, T. M. Duncan, of North Brookfield, Rev. W. H.

Beecher, of North Brookfield, Wm. B. Draper, of New York, Dr. John Homans, of Boston, Dr. Jabez B. Upham, of Boston, Rev. Hubbard Winslow, of Brooklyn, Judge Danforih, of New York, and Josiah Gary, of St. Charles, Missouri.

But the memories of the early settlers of Brookfield were destined to be soon revived by events less joyous and peaceful. The hill-sides and plains of this ancient settlement, so accustomed to scenes of warfare in their earlier days, within a year after the celebration again witnessed preparations for hostile strife. Since the grant of 1(!60 no generation had passed away without learning something of the hoirors of war. They had fought for years with the Indian hordes at their doors; they had fought for independence; they had fought to assert the rights of an infant nation against an insolent foe; they were now to take up arms to preserve a Union which had been dearly purchased in Revolutionary days.

During the War of the Rebellion West Brookfield was not behind other towns in the Commonwealth in patriotic endeavors to sustain the government and till the ranks of the army. At a town-meeting held April 29, 1861, at which George W. Lincoln was chosen moderator, it was voted to pay each volunteer twenty dollars when mustered and furnish each with a revolver. The tov/n also pledged itself to properly support families of soldiers in the service, and passed the necessary votes to enable the selectmen to borrow money for the purpose. When ninemonths' men were called for, a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars was paid to each volunteer credited to the quota of the town, and in 1864 one hundred and twenty-five dollars in gold was paid to the men enlisting on its quota for three years or the war.

The following list of soldiers enlisting in the town, taken chiefly from the town's Rebellion Record, but enlarged and corrected by the Adjutant-General's Roll, is as nearly accurate as it is possible to make it:

November 7th. Emersun H. BuIIard, died June 15, 18G2. Albert W. Liverniore, died January 8, 1803, Justus A. Wellington, killed in October, 18113.

Wm. A. Mullet, wounded at Spottsylvania, and died May 23, 1864. Edwin T. Brown, wounded at Petersburg, and July 27, 1864. Leonard F. Alexander, killed June 2, 1864. George E Adams, killed at Newmarket, Va., May 15, 1864. Edwin W. Barlow, killed at Snicker's Gap July 18, 1864. Daniel Boyle, died in Danville Prison in 1865. Lorenzo Chickering, wounded at Winchester September, 1864, and

May 4th. Harvey E. Truesdell, died in hospital March 7, 1864. Alfred D. Washbuin, died in hospitjil June 3, 1864. S. Waldo Allen, died July 12, 1863. John Mundell, killed at Fredericksburg May 8, 1864. Daniel Lawler, killed October 24, 1864. George E. Howe, killed at Petersburg, May 6, 1864. Charles E. Cutler, died in I'. S. Hospital at Baltimore, July 30, 1864. Lewis Bovier, died July 20, 1865. Moses Renier, died February 23, 1865. Herman A. Gilbert, died at Alexandria, September 23, 1864, the establishment of a public library. No town can have a complete educational system without such an institution. It supplements the public schools, and carries on and perfects the work begun by them. The time is not far in the past when education was said to be finished at the schools. There was little of general instruction after the school-days were over, except what a greedy mind here and there, from a keen observation of the world and from a native gift of absorption, could unaided and with difficulty acquire. The consequence was that there were to be seen in all our towns men of fair business and social standing who, from its want of use and development, had lost the little general knowledge obtained at their desk at school, retaining only that which their special business or trade had made demands upon. They were, perhaps, shrewd, industrious and prosperous, but they were nevertheless ignorant men. Now, since the introduction of libraries into our small communities, education is never finished. The school-boy grows into manhood holding fast to the fruits of public school instruction, while craving and reaping more from his constant use of these store-houses of knowledge. And, indeed, in these latter years, when immigrants from abroad, well advanced in life, are finding their way into every city and town without early education, and too old to use our public schools, these institutions have become the indispensable means of that popular enlightment without which the standard of our republican government would be dangerously lowered, if not permanently weakened and destroyed.

The West Brookfield Free Library and Reading- Eoom owes its origin to a law passed in 1869, requiring towns to appropriate the annual dog fund for the support of schools or for a public library - that fund being created by fees paid annually for the licenses of dogs, and being the residue after the deduction of amounts paid to owners of sheep for damage inflicted by dogs.

In the early days of the Plymouth Colony it was provided by law that "all such profits as might or should annually accrue to the Colony from time to time from fishing with nets or seines at Cape Cod, for mackerel, bass or herrings, should be improved for and towards a free school in some town of the jurisdiction." Thus the fathers of New England set an example in the thrifty use of the tribes of the sea in the establishment of free schools, which their sons of to-day have followed in a similar use of the creatures of the land for their permanent preservation.

In the autumn of 1873 the town voted to establish a public library, and the dog-funds of 1871, 1872 and 1873 were appropriated in its aid. It was placed in an ante-room of the town-house, and opened to the public January 5, 1874, with two hundred and ninety-eight volumes. The room was fitted up and lighted by the liberality of Mr. Lemuel Fullam, a public-spirited citizen. In March, 1874, Mr. T. S. Knowlton was chosen librarian, and still holds that office. During the first year Mr. Charles Merriam, of Springfield, a native of the town, presented five hundred volumes to the library, and five hundred dollars in money, and at the close of the year there were fourteen hundred and eight volumes on its shelves. Mr. Merriam continued his gifts of books until they reached finally the number of about one thousand volumes. In 187(> he gave to the town fifty shares of New York Central and Hudson River Railroad stock, valued at that time at fifty-six hundred and fifty dollars, - "to be kept permanently invested safely, and never on personal security only, the annual income to be used for the benefit of the Library or Reading Room, which are to be kept always free to all the citizens of the town of a suitable age, and under such rules and regulations as the town may establish." He further provided that in case the library should be abandoned, the money should be paid to the public town libraries of Brookfield or North Brookfield, if such should be in existence; but, otherwise, the town of West Brookfield might appropriate the sum to any general educational purpose for the benefit of the town.

At a town-meeting, held April 15, 1876, the town formally accepted the gift, and thanked Mr. Merriam for his liberality. But his liberality had not reached its limit. In 1880 he addressed the following letter to the town, which, as a memorial of his enlightened generosity, is made a part of this narrative :

It is, I believe, already known to many of your citizens tliat I have formed the purpose of erecting within your limits a buildiug to be used for a Free Public Library and Reading Room, and presenting it to my native town. The site has already been purciiased, ou tlie so-called Tainton lot, next west of the Town Hall, and the contract closed for the erection of the building. It had been my intention to complete the edifice, and then ask its acceptance by the town. But it is to be fiuished next October, and there will then remain four or five months before your usual town-meeting in the spring, and it seems proper and desirable that the town should own the property before entering upon its occupation. I understand there is no legal difficulty in making the transfer, although the building itself is yet to be erected.

I therefore propose to the town to make a present formal and legal transfer to it of the lot mentioned, with the Imildiug to be erected on it, to be used perpetually as a free Public Reading Room and Library for the town of West Brookfield. The town will maintjiin it as such under any By-laws and regiiiations it may think proper to establish ; but under such regulations it is to be free to all, with no fee or charge to any citizen for admission to the privileges of the library and reading room. The town shall keep the building 'constantly insured for sucli a sum that, if destroyed, the town engages to replace it by another equally convenient. It is not required that the same site should always be used if a ch.ange becomes necessary or desirable. I am to be at liberty to go ou and complete the building according to my plans. Three of your own citizens - Dr. Blodgett, Mr. Fullam and Mr. Knowlton, have been kind to act as an Advisory Committee in the matter, and can give the town any desired information in regard to these plans.

From long observation I have come to feel strongly the undesirableness of attaching any other than indispensable conditions to matters looking far into the future, as unforeseen circumstances may greatly change the conditions. I will not, therefore, add any to my donation other than these I have mentioned. I would, however, recommend -

First, That the upper hall, which I intend shall be a large and convenient one, be not used, unless rarely and occasionally, for religious worship, for the reason that the town is made up of different religious denominations, and such use by one might awaken jealousy in others, and I would like this buildiug and its pui-poses to be such as that all shall feel in them a common interest.

Fourth, Let the hall for purposes of mere amusement and entertainment, especially such as sorae may bonestly deem objectionable, as balls, theatrical and minstrel performances, etc.

A general reason, perhaps in itself sufficient for not using the hall for purposes I have mentioned, would be that all the citizens of the town may be united in regard to its use. Then, too, tbe little sums to bo obtained for rental for objects with regard to which there was a difference of opinion, would hardly compensate for the objections, and you have other places available for these purposes and it would seem desirable to keep the hall for uses somewhat in sympathy with the general design of the building. There will be many of these, as lectures, debates, scientific exhibitions, farmers' clubs, etc., wholly unobjectionable, and tbe income from which will help towards making the library and reading room selfsustaiuing. Yet if the town at any time think it expedient to use the building for the foregoing or similar purposes, I would not be understood as interposing any objection but that becoming the property of the town the gift in these respects be absolute and unqualified.

In case tbe donation, lapses from a failure of the conditions or tbe town's declining or neglecting to use tbe building for the objects for which it is given for any considerable period, the properly shall revert to the same purposes as provided for the lapsing of the endowment of $5,(100 given by me for a library fund in March or April, 1870.

Upon the town's passing a vote of acceptance of my proposition, recording the vote on its records, placing my proposal on file and sending me a certified copy of tbe vote, I will make out a deed of conveyance.

I have been prompted to make this proposition by a desire to do something for my native town, which shall be an expression of my gratitude for the early educational advantages it afforded me, and at the same time be of permanent benefit to its citizens, especially the young. I recall, too, the value such an institution would have been to me in my own early life, and entertain, I trust, a not improper wish to be jdeasantly remembered by a good influence perpetuated.

I may be allowed to express the hope that the town will cherish the institution as one in which all its citizens have an interest, and may find it of lasting value. Such value will, of course, depend largely upon a wise discretion being exercised in selecting and encouraging the reading of books and periodicals, instructive and improving, as well as a due pro' portion of those of a right character more especially designed for entertainment, amusement and relaxation,

At the annual town-meeting held April 5, 1880, the gift of Mr. Merriam was formally accepted by the town, and at a lown-meetiug held in October steps were taken for the dedication of the building, which took place on the evening of Friday, November 12th, in the same year. On that occasion Homer B. Sprague, of Boston, delivered the dedicatory address, and short speeches were made by Rev. Mr. Gushing, William B. Stone and L. H. Chambirlain. Letters were read from Governor Daniel H. Chamberlain, a native of West Brookfield, and from Mr. Merriam, the benefactor, who was prevented by the infirmities of age from being present. Mr. Merriam died at his residence in Springfield, July 9, 1887. According to the report to the town of the Library Committee ma^e for the year ending February 29, 1888, the number of books in the library, at that date, was 5754, and 11,231 had been taken out during the year by 595 persons. During that year the library was credited on the treasurer's books with $200 income from the Merriam Fund, Dog Fund $192.89, and appropriations amounting to .1300, making a total of $()92 89. It may be proper to add, in closing the sketch of the library, the items of Mr. Merriam's various gifts, exclusive of one thousand volumes of books presented by him in the earliest stages of its career:

The public schools of West Brookfield, as well as its library, reflect credit on the town. According to the liist report of the School Committee, for the sake of convenience of description, the town is divided into five districts, containing in all nine schools, with rolls of 286 scholars, and an average attendance of 87 per cent. In Distiict No. 1, there are five schools - a grammar school with an average attendance of 24; a first intermediate, with an average attendance of 26 ; a primary, with an average attendance of 27; a primary, with an average attendance of 36; and another primary, with an average attendance of 36.

The Second District school has an average attendance of nineteen ; the Third District of nine, the Fourth of seven, and the Fifth of five. The grammar school teacher receives $50 per month ; the first intermediate, $36 ; the first primary, $36 ; the second primary, $32 ; the third primary, $32 ; Second District, $28; Third District, $28; Fourth District, $24, and the Fifth District, $24. The amount of money available for the support of schools for the year was $3217.54, of which the sum of $3,000 was appropriated by the town, and the sum of $217.54 was received from the State fund. The appropriations made by the town for the various departments for the year ending at the above date, February 29, 1888, were :

At the time of the incorporation of the town, in 1848, the ancient First Parish of Brookfield was the only one within its borders. A meeting-house was built in, or soon after, 1673, probably on Foster's Hill, but was burned during King Philip's War. It is probable that John Younglove and Thomas Millet preached to the settlers during the short time they remained on their grant. Mr. Younglove wai at Quabaug, the Indian name of Brookfield before the settlement, as early as 1667. After the destruction of the settlement he removed to Hadley, where he taught school. In 1681 he is mentioned as living in Suliield, .ind there he died June 3, 1690. Thomas Millet seems to have succeeded Mr. Younglove and died early in 1676, before Philip's War was over. It is not probable that either Mr. Younglove or he were ordained ministers. After the resettlement of Brookfield, in 1686, it is not believed that any meeting-house was built until 1715. Religious servicei had probably been held in the garrison on Foster's Hill, and the preacher seems to have been styled chaplain, and to have been appointed by the government of the Province, with an annual allowance towar Is his salary from the Province treasury. On the 22d of November, 1715, the inhabitants agreed to build a meeting-house, which was erected on Foster's Hill, about half a mile southeast of the first meetinghouse. On the 16th of October, 1717, it was so far completed that it was used on that day for the ordination of Rev. Thomas Cheney, who had accepted an invitation to settle as pastor. On that day the First Church of Brookfield was formally organized, and a church covenant signed, which may be found in a more detailed history of the church, in the history of Brookfield in these volumes. At the ordination of Mr. Cheney, Rev. Solomon Stoddard, of Northampton, preached the sermon. Mr. Cheney was born in Roxbury in 1G90, and graduated at Harvard in 1711. He died December 11, 1747, and his grave is at Brookfield. Rev. Elisha Harding, a Harvard graduate in 1745, succeeded Mr. Cheney, and was ordained September 13, 1749, on which occasion Rev. Nathan Bucknam, of Medway, preached the sermon. During his ministry the Second Precinct (now North Brookfield) was incorporated, March 28, 1750, and the Third Precinct (now Brookfield) November 8, 1754.

In 1755 the First Church built a new meetinghouse and abandoned the old house on Foster's Hill. It was voted, January 22d, in that year, " to build a meeting-house for public worship at the turning of the county rode, near the northeast corner of a plowed field, belonging to John Barns, being on the plain in said First Precinct." It was also voted that the house should be built " with timber and wood," and be forty-five feet in length and thirty-five feet in width. The location of this church was near that of the present Congregational Church, on the west side of the Common.

On the Sth of the following May Mr. Harding was dismissed, and on the 1st of February, 1757, Rev. Nehemiah Strong, of Hadley, was chosen pastor, but declined. Rev. Joseph Parsons, Jr., son of Rev. Joseph Parsons, of Bradford, and a graduate of Harvard in the class of 1752, was then engaged, and was ordained November 23, 1757. At his ordination Rev. Joseph Parsons, of Bradford, Rev. David White, of Hardwick, Rev. Joshua Eaton, of Spencer, Rev. John Tucker, of Newbury, and Rev. Isaac Jones, of Western (now Warren), took part in the services. He continued in his pastorate until his death, January 17, 1771, at the age of thirty-eight years.

Parsons and was ordained October 23, 1771, serving until his death, February 9, 1818. Dr. Lyman Whiting, in his address on the two hundredth anniversary of the settlement of Brookfield, said of him that " he was esteemed throughout his pastorate, which was little short of forty-seven years, as the urbane Christian scholar, illustrating the graces of the village pastor, so admirably pictured by the godly Herbert :

At his ordination Rev. Jason Haven, of Dedham, preached the sermon, and the churches of Western, Ware, Spencer, Sturbridge, Newton, Weston, Waltham and Dedham were represented.

On the 23d of October, 1816, Rev. Eliakim Phelps, a native of Belchertown and born March 20, 1790, was settled as the colleague of Mr. Ward, and at his ordination Rev. Jedediah Morse, of Charlestown, the distinguished geographer, preached the sermon. In 1818, on the death of Mr. Ward, he became his successor in the pastorate. He was a graduate, in 1814, of Union College, of Schenectady, and received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from his alma mater in 1842. On the 25th of October, 1826, he was released from his charge to assume the preceptorship of a " Classical Female School," which at one time flourished in West Brookfield. At a later date he was the principal of the Female Seminary at Pittsfield, and in 1860, at the time of the Bi-Centennial Celebration, he was living in Philadelphia, and was present and spoke on that occasion.

On the day of the release of Dr. Phelps from the church. Rev. Joseph I. Foote, also a graduate of Union College, was installed, and was dismissed May 1, 1832. Mr. Foote was born in Watertown, Conn., November 17, 1796, and graduated at Union College in 1821. At his ordination Rev. Herman Humphrey, president of Amherst College, preached the sermon. In 1833 he had a pastorate in Salina, N. Y. ; in 1835 in Cortland, N. Y. ; in 1839 in Knoxville, Tenn. ; and in the latteryear was chosen president of Washington College, in Tennessee, but died April 21, 1840, before his inauguration.

Rev. Francis Horton, a graduate of Brown University in 1826, was installed August 15, 1832, on which occasion Rev. Thomas Snell, of North Brookfield, preached the sermon. He was dismissed September 15, 1841, and succeeded by Rev. Moses Chase, who was settled January 12, 1842, and dismissed October 28, 1842.

Rev. Leonard S. Parker, born in Dunbarton, N. H., December 6, 1812, and a graduate of Oberlin Collegiate Institute, was installed December 19, 1844, and dismissed April 7, 1851. At his installation Rev. Thomas Snell preached the sermon.

Eev. Swift Byington succeeded November 7, 1852, and served until his resignation, November 1, 1858. At his ordination Rev. Henry M. Dexter, now living in New Bedford, preached the sermon. Mr. Byington was born in Bristol, Conn., February 4, 1824, and graduated at Yale in 1847.

Rev. Christopher M. Cordley, born in Oxford, England, January 2, 1821, was settled June 28, 1859, and continued in the pastorate until June 23, 1862.

Rev. Samuel Dunham, a Yale graduate in 1860, was ordained October 4, 1864, and dismissed October 27, 1870. At his ordination Rev. E. C. Jones, of Southampton, Conn., preached the sermon.

Rev. Richard B. Bull was installed March 12, 1871, and dismissed July 6, 1874. The pulpit has since been supplied by Rev. S. C. Kendall, Rev. Mr. Stebbens. Rev. Frederick Allen, Rev. E. S. Gould and the present acting pastor, Rev. Thomas E. Babb.

Among the prominent members of this church have been Henry Gilbert, his son, John Gilbert, Joshua Dodge, Joseph Jennings, Comfort Barnes, John Cutler, Jedediah Foster, Thaddeus Cutler, Othniel Gilbert, Thomas Rich, Joseph Cutler, Levi Gilbert, Samuel Barnes, John Ross, Nathan Bucknam Ellis, John Wood, Josiah Gary, Alfred White, William Spooner, Reuben Blair, Jr., Jairus Abbott, Josiah Henshaw, Baxter Ellis, Jacob Dukes, Liberty Sampson, Solomon L. Barnes, Moses Hall, Samuel Newell White, Enos Gilbert, Nathaniel Lynde, Ebenezer B. Lynde, Avery Keep, John M. Fales, Raymond Cummings, Adolphus Hamilton, Wm. B. Stone, George Merriam, S. D. Livermore, A. C. Gleason, Edward T. Stowell, Warren A. Blair and others too numerous to mention. This list includes nearly all the deacons of the church since its organization and some laymen of later years.

On the 29th of October, 1792, it was voted to build a new meeting-house on the land given to the precinct by Lieutenant John Barnes for that purpose, and its dedication occurred November 10, 1795, on which occasion Rev. Enos Hitchcock, of Providence, preached the sermon. A bell was hung in its tower in 1799, and in 1838 it was remodeled and turned round to a right angle with its former site and rededicated January 1, 1839. Rev. Hubbard Winslow, of Boston, preached the dedicatory sermon. In 1855 the present bell was hung, and in 1856 a new organ replaced an old one which had been in. use since 1826.

The old meeting-house was removed to another lot and for a time devoted to town and parish purposes. In 1809 it was sold by auction for one hundred and eighty-six pounds. The last meeting-house mentioned was burned February 28, 1881, and, having been rebuilt on the same site, was dedicated September 15, 1882.

The first burial-ground, probably, in consequence of the hard clay found near the old meeting-house on Foster's Hill, was located in the fields about one hundred rods distant from the meeting-house, and remains of the old grave-stones have been found sufficiently preserved to mark the spot. At a later day a second burial-ground was laid out in the westerly jiart of what is now West Brookfield, and at a still later day a third one was laid out neartr the village.

A Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in October, 1851, and purchasing a meeting-house in Templeton, removed it to West Brookfield, where it has since been used as a place of worship. Rev. Mr. Winslow was its first pastor and he has been followed by Rev. Mr. Clark, Rev. Alpheus Nichols, Rev. J. S. Barrows, Rev. G. H. W. Clark, Rev. William Blackman, Rev. Mr. Miller and others.

A Catholic Society was organized a few years since, but has neither church nor pastor. Its services are held in the town-hall under the ministrations of Father Grace, of Brookfield.

The business of Brookfield is moderately large, but not sufficient to indicate any considerable immediate growth. The boot and shoe establishments are those of Mcintosh & Co., employing about fifty hands; M. J. Savage & Co., employing about thirty ; George H. Fales, about fifty ; J. T. Wood & Co., about fifty, and Allen & Makepeace, employing a somewhat smaller number. Besides these industries there is a condensed milk factory carried on by W. K. Lewis' Bros. & Co., and a branch of the Bay State Corset Company having its main establishment in Springfield. The farming interests of the town are considerable, and its product of butter and cheese for distant markets is by no means insignificant. The town is well situated on the line of the Boston & Albany Railroad, about midway between ^Vorceste^ and Springfield and accessible by express and other trains in about two hours from Boston. It is laid out with wide and pleasant streets, and though bleak in winter is fiinned in the heat of summer by airs from Long and Coy's and Foster's Hills, and across the meadows of the Quabaug. An attractive Common ornaments the central village, graced by a fountain presented by George M. Rice, of Worcester, and surrounded by a fence, the gift of Hon. J. Henry Stickney, of Baltimore, a grandson of Rev. Ephraim Ward, who gave the town thirty-five hundred dollars for the purpose. Few towns can be found along the hill-sides and in the valleys of Ma.ssachusetts presenting greater attractions to those who seek relaxation from the toils of business or the invigorating influences of a pure and healthy clime.

The Common above referred to was the gift of David Hitchcock, who, November 7, 1791, "granted and quit-claimed to the first parish in Brookfield a certain tract of land in said parish, containing three acres, more or less, to be held by said parish in its corporate capacity forever; provided said tract shall never be sold to any individual or individuals, but shall always remain open as a common for public use."

J. Henry Stickney, of Baltimore, through whose liberality the Common was graded and fenced, is a native of West Brookfield. He belongs to a branch of the Stickney family which settled in Essex County in the first half of the seventeenth century, and which had its estates in the town of Stickney, in England. Thomas Stickney, the grandfather of the benefactor, removed from Boston to Leicester and occupied an estate which makes one of the illustrations in the history of that town by Emory Washburn. His son Thomas removed to West Brookfield and married a daughter of Rev. Ephraim Ward, already mentioned as a pastor of the First Church. Mr. Ward was a cousin of General Artemas Ward, of the Revolution, and his wife was Mary Colman, of Boston, a relative of Rev. Benjamin Colman, of the Brattle Street Church. J. Henry Stickney was a son of the last-mentioned Thomas and was born in the parsonage house facing the Common. At the age of nine or ten years he went to Worcester, where his father had at one time lived, and from there went to Hopkins Academy in Hadley, where he closed his school-days. After leaving Hadley he entered the hardware store of Jlontgomery Newell, of Boston, as an apprentice, receiving a compensation of fifty dollars a year. At the age of twenty-two years he went to New York, where he spent a year and then joined some relatives in Baltimore, where he was employed for a term by his uncle, Benjamin Colman, who was at one time a partner of Nathan Appleton in Boston. In November, 1834, he began what was a new business in Baltimore, the American hardware business, and became the agent in that city for a large part of the manufacturers of the country. He had accounts in nearly every State in the Union, and by his exact methods and rigid integrity commanded the confidence of the business community. Having acquired a competence, he retired from active business pursuits and is now living at his home in Baltimore at a somewhat advanced age, but with a health and vigor of body and mind which enables him to gratify and enjoy the refined tastes in literature and art which in his busy life he has not failed to cultivate. He is a lover of the past and its representative men, and to the pursuits of an antiquary he has devoted time and money, to the satisfaction besides himself of others who were less able to follow them with success. The towns of Plymouth and Topsfleld and Duxbury and West Brookfield have cause to remember his liberality long after the hand which has dispensed it shall have lost its power to give.

The town has two hotels, a commodious town-house, built in I860, a savings bank, incorporated in 1872, a Fire Department with steam apparatus and an abundance of water, supplied by aqueducts from copious springs on the slopes of neighboring hills. In earlier times two newspapers were published in the town, but, as in many other New England communities, the facility and cheapness with which the metropolitan press furnishes everywhere its supplies have rendered the local press both unprofitable and unnecessary. The Moral and Political Telegraph or Brooifield Advertiser, published by Thomas & Waldo, and the Political Repository and Farmer's Journal, by E. Merriam & Co., are scarcely remembered by any now living.

The population of the town, which from the date of its incorporation until 1880 had slowly, but gradually, increased, was found in 1885, in consequence of the destruction of one of the shoe establishments of the place, to have fallen off nearly two hundred. There is no reason, however, to doubt that from this new starting-point another gradual increase will set in. The population at each census since the incorporation has been as follows : 1850, 1.344; 1855, 1.364; 1860, 1548; 1865, 1549; 1870, 1842 ; 1875, 1903 ; 1880, 1917; 1885, 1747.

Some of the distinguished men who, in earlier times, were born or lived within the limits of the town have been referred to in the history of Brookfield accompanying this sketch. Most of those who in later years have been conspicuous in the various walks of life have served the town in responsible offices, and have been referred to in the lists presented on earlier pages of this narrative.

It would be improper, however, even at the risk of repetition, to omit particular reference to a few of the men who have given West Brookfield distinction in the past. General Joseph Dwight, a graduate of Harvard in 1722, who lived in the town for a time; Joshua Upham, a distinguished Loyalist, a graduate of Harvard in 1763, who became a judge of the Supreme Court in New Brunswick ; Jabez Upham, a Representative in Congress ; Jedediah Foster, a graduate of Harvard in 1744, who became judge of Probate and member of the convention for framing the State Constitution ; Dwight Foster, a graduate of Brown University in 1774, who became Senator of the United States, and others of equal or less reputation served to give to West Brookfield, or Brookfield, as it then was, a standing in the councils of the Province and State of which few towns in Massachusetts could boast.

Among those who have obtained distinction in broader fields of labor than were open to them at home may be mentioned Charles Merriam, of Springfield, already referred to as a benefactor of the town ; Daniel H. Chamberlain, a graduate of Yale College, and the distinguished ex-Governor of South Carolina; Rev. Leander T. Chamberlain, of Norwich, Conn.; Rev. Enos Hitchcock, of Providence; Rev. Caleb Sprague Henry, the well-known professor and author ; Lucy Stone Blackwell and Rev. Austin Phelps.

Lucy Stone was descended from Francis Stone, who lived before 1742 in that part of New Braintree which was annexed to North Brookfield in 1854. Francis Stone, son of Francis, was born in 1742. He was with his father in the French wars, and his father was killed at Quebec under Gen. Wolfe in 1759. Francis, the son, was a captain in the Revolution, and one of the leaders in Shays' Rebellion. After the dispersion of the insurgents at Petersham in February, 1787, he fled to Vermont, where he remained until the decree of amnesty jiermitled him to return. He married, September 11, 17G0, Martha, daughter of Abel Chase, of Sutton, and second, in June, 1777, Sarah Witt. Her children were Amy, Sally, (who married Hugh Barr, of New Braintree), Luther, Jonathan, Calvin and Francis. Francis, the last-named of these children, born November 9, 1779, lived on Coy's Hill, in West Brooktield. He married, March 27, 1804, Hannah Matthews, and had Bowman, 1805; Francis, 1807 ; Elizabeth Matthews, 1808 ; Wm. Bowman, 1811 ; Luther, 1813; Rhoda, 1814; Luther again, 1816; Lucy, 1818 ; and Sarah Witt, 1821. Lucy was born August 13, 1818, and graduated at Oberlin College. She early attached herself to the anti-slavery cause and to the advocacy of woman's rights, in which she distinguished herself as a forcible and eloquent speaker. She was married in 1855 to Henry B. Blackwell, but is usually called by her maiden name.

Austin Phelps, the son of Rev. Eliakim and Sarah (Adams) Phelps and grandson of Deacon Eliakim and Margaret (Coombs) Phelps, was born in West Brookfield Jan. 7, 1820, and graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1837. He was ordained pastor of the Pine Street Congregational Church in Boston in 1842, and in 1848 was appointed Bartlett proffssor of sacred rhetoric in Andover Theological Seminary. He married, in 1842, Eiizalieth, daughter of Professor Moses Stuart, who is well known as the ailthor of "The Sunny Side," and other works. Their daughter, Elizabeth Stuart Phelpa, is better known than her mother as the author of "Gates Ajar,'' and other works too numerous to mention.

With the mention of these distinguished sons and daughters of West Brookfield this imperfect sketch must close. The reader who would learn more of the early history of the settlement of Quabaug and of the three towns into which its territory has been finally divided, is referred to the able and exhaustive history of North Brookfield, written by J. H. Temple, and published by that town in 1887.

John M. Fales

In the middle of the seventh century James Fales came from Chester, England, and settled in Dedham. His children were James, John, Mary, Peter, Hannah, Martha, Rachel and Ebenezer. John Fales, one of these children, had Hannah, Martha, Rachel, Ebenezer, John,' Joseph and Mary. .John, one of these children, had a son Daniel. Daniel Fales married Sally Pratt, of Sherburne, and had Leander, Mary Ann, Elmira L., John M., Charles, Martha S., Sarah E. and Daniel H. Leander lived in Shrewsbury; Mary Ann married a Parker, and lived in Holliston; Elmira L. married a Lincoln, and lived in Brookfield; Charles lived in Brookfield; Martha S. lived, unmarried, in Shrewsbury; Sarah E. married a Flagg, and lived in Westboro'; and Daniel H. married a Thurston, and lived in Brookfield.

John M. Fales, the subject of this sketch, \vas born in Shrewsbury August 25, 1805, and married Mary S. Trask, of Leicester, May 12, 1831, by whom he had Ann Eliza, who married Dr. J. Blodgett, now of West Newton; George Henry, who married Laurinda T. Tomblin, daughter of Lucius Tomblin, of West Brookfield; John, who died at the early age of twelve years; | Leander, who died at the age of seven-teen years; ' Francis Theodore, who married Esther Grifiin, of Enfield; and Mary, who died in infancy. From James Fales came the Fales families of Holden, Troy, Bristol, Taunton, Foxboro' and Milford. The Fales family was a very prolific one, David, of the third generation, the son of the second James, having had twenty-four children, and more than fifty of the descendants of the first James having had ten.

John M. Fales attended school in Shrewsbury, and afterwards went to Dedham, where he learned the trade of making shoes. The trade he learned included all the branches of the trade, and it is said that the first pair of shoes he ever wore he made himself About the year 1831 he went to Brookfield and there opened a custom boot and shoe shop. After a short time his success in business warranted the initiation of a new enterprise, and with good business qualities and ample experience he entered into the wholesale manufacture of boots and shoes. In this business he was the pioneer in Brookfield, and before his death, which occurred in 1867, he established a large trade, in which he employed about one hundred and seventyfive hands. Before the war his business, like that of other shoe manufacturers, was largely at the South, but his adherence to principle saved him when the war broke out from those serious losses which many less conscientious than himself incurred.

In 1860, at a time when dealers at the South boycotted Northern manufacturers who advocated measures opposed to the extension of slavery into the Territories, he was asked, in a letter from S. Kirtland, one of his customers in Montgomery, Alabama, if he intended to advocate the Republican cause. To this letter he made the following answer:

Tours of the 3"* inbt. is received, neliirg bij" views in relation to the Republican pai'ty, and saying, if I endorsed their principles, you should not trade vvitli me. In reply I v^ould fay tluit I sell lioots. not principles. I shall vote the coming Fall, if I am alive and well, lur the nonnnee of the Itepublican party for pre(^iclent, and if you see fit to give nie your orders, I shall lie pleased to fill thini, hut not under any consideration will I sellniy jirinciples tosell hoots. H Yours Respectfully, John M. Fales. " fidelity which did not always characterize negotiations with the government. After the war his business was largely in the West, and his orders were received directly at the factory and filled without the intervention of middle-men in Boston or elsewhere.

Mr. Fales, at the time of his death, which occurred October 27, 1867, was a member in full standing of the Orthodox Congregational Church in West Brookfield, and made its interests and prosperity his chief concern. He was an active member of the Republican party, and as its candidate represented his native town in the House of Representatives in 1847, and his Representative district, composed of Warren, West Brookfield and New Braintree, in 18G4.

Mr. Fales was a man of indomitable courage, firm will, strict integrity and judicious benevolence. He sought no public station, and attended with thorough devotion to the demands of his business, but whenever appealed to in the interests of the community in which he lived, was lavish in the use of time and money to develop and promote them. George H. Fales, the son of John M. Fales, was appointed town tre.-tsurer of West Brookfield in May, 1887, on the death of E. H. C. Blair, and was chosen to that office by the town at its annual meeting in 1888. Mr. George H. Fales carries on the business of the manufacture of shoes at the factory occupied by his father, and is a successful business man and an esteemed citizen.

Ebenezer B. Lynde

The subject of this sketch is descended from Enoch Lynde, a merchant of London, who married Elizabeth Digby and died in London in April, 1636. Enoch had three children, two of whom died in infancy. Simon, the surviving child, born in London in June, 1624, followed the occupation of his father and finally, after carrying on business for a time in Holland, came to New England in 1650 and settled as a merchant in Boston, where he married, in February, 1652, Hannah Newgate. He had seven children, one of whom, the seventh child, Benjamin, became chief justice of the Superior Court of Judicature, and had a son bearing his name, who was elevated to a seat on the same bench. Simon Lynde was made a justice for the county of Suffolk and died November 22, 1689, at the age of sixty-five years. Hannah, the wife of Simon, daughter of John Newgate, by his last wife, Ann, born June 28, 1635, died December 20, 1684. John Newgate, her father, was born in South wark near the bridge in 1580, and came to New England. He had three wives. By the first two he had Sarah, who married Capt. Peter Oliver, and another daughter, who married .Tohn Oliver. By his last wife, Ann, he had, besides Hannah, Nathaniel, who married a daughter of Sir John Lewis and left Capt. Nathaniel Newgate his heir. John Newgate died September 4, 1665, at the age of sixty-five years. Ann Newgate died in 1679, at the age of eighty-four years. Nathaniel Lynde, son of Simon, took with him to Saybrook the old parchment containing the family record and family arms, which is still in the possession of the branch of the family to which the subject of this sketch belongs. Nathaniel Lynde, the fourth son of Simon and brother of Benjamin, was born in Boston, November 22, 1659, and became a merchant. He removed to Saybrook, Conn., and married, in 1683, Susanna, daughter of Governor Willoughby. He was a man of undoubtedly large means for the times and held a prominent po.sition in the government of the Province. He was one of the early benefactors of Yale College, having given a house and land for the foundation of a college at Saybrook, which afterwards was absorbed by the institution at New Haven.

Nathaniel Lynde had eight children, all of whom but Samuel were girls and died in infancy.'^'^amuel Lynde was born at Saybrook in October, 1689, and educated at Yale. He was first justice of the peace and member of the Council for the county of New London and married Rebecca Clark. The preci.se location of the residence of the Lynde family at Saybrook was at what is still called Lynde's Point, at the mouth of the Connecticut River.

Samuel Lynde had three children, two of whom died in infancy. The third child, Willoughby Lynde, was born at Saybrook in 1711, and also educated at Yale. He married, November 19, 1736, Margaret Corey, and had one child, Samuel, who was born at Saybrook October 14, 1737. Samuel was also educated at Yale, and married, in July, 1758, Phebe Waterhouse. He also lived in Saybrook and had nine children, the last of whom was Nathaniel, who was born at Saybrook May 18, 1784. Nathaniel removed to that part of Brookfield which is now West Brookfield in 1805, and following the occupation of a farmer, soon became, as he continued to be until his death, a large owner of land. He married, July 15, 1806, Sally, daughter of Caleb Hitchcock, and died February 25, 1865. At the organization of the town, in 1848, he was one of a committee of three appointed to ascertain the financial condition of the town and report recommendations for appropriations. His judgment was largely relied upon in placing the new town on a sound financial basis. In 1858, on the occasion of the celebration by the three towns, Brookfield, North Brookfield and West Brookfield, of the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and in 1860, on the occasion of the bi-centennial celebration of the settlement of Brookfield, he was one of the committee of arrangements. The children of Nathaniel and Sally (Hitchcock) Lynde were Caleb Hitchcock, who died early; Mary Pemberton, who married Elijah Albord, of West Brookfield, afterwards president of the Northwestern Stage Company, and living in Indianapolis and Washington City ; Samuel Willoughby, living in Richmond, Indiana; William Waterhouse, who die 1 in Cincinnati ; Sarah, who married James Van Uxum

BIr. Lynde married a second wife, Eunice Phelps, daughter of Ebeuezer Bissell, of Windsor, Conn., and had Ebenezer Bissell ; Eunice Phelps, who married James M. Diirkee, of Pittsfield ; Ellen Augusta, who married Horace White, of Boston ; and Albert, who died young.

Ebenezer Bissell, one of these children and the subject of this sketch, was born in West Brookfield August 31, 1823, and was educated in the public schools of his native town and at the Leicester Academy. Like his father, he is an extensive owner of real estate and the occupation of farming, which came to him by inheritance, he has pursued with energy and success. He married, January 23, 1850, Minerva Jane, daughter of Joseph L. White, a successful manufacturer in North Adams, and has had the following children : Augusta, who was born July 28, 1851, and died February 5, 1852 ; Annie Dewey, who was born January 12, 1854, and died October 21,1854; Herbert Bissell, who was born January 15, 1857, and is now living in West Brookfield unmarried ; Nathaniel White, who was born .Tanuary 4, 1859, and, after graduating at the Yale Scientific School and the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, became, as he now is, physician at the Inebriate Asylum at Fort Hamilton, New York ; Mary Finney, the youngest child, born November 4, 18G8, who is now pursuing a course of instruction at the Wheaton Seminary in Norton.

Mr. Lynde early won a prominent position in his native town and has always continued to occupy it. Though at all times reluctant to assume public office, his clear head and sound judgment, combined with a strong will and an unusual executive ability, have often been sought by his fellow-citizens, and, when sought, they have been freely and willingly lent. He has served on the Board of Selectmen and as moderator of town-meetings, and in various ways he has brought his active influence to bear in the promotion of the interests and welfare of the town. As a general adviser and friend, as a promoter of peace and good-will, as the earnest advocate of philanthropic, educational and religious enterprises, in a word, covering all, as a kind neighbor and good citizen, he oc cupies a place which every man should be proud to fill. The affection and esteem in which he is held by the community at large he possesses also in the narrower field of the Congregational Church, of which he is a member. To his energy and fidelity much of its prosperity is due, and to his business foresight may properly be attributed the insurance of its meetinghouse, burned in 1881, without which the injury inflicted upon the society would have been well-nigh irreparable. But the reputation of Mr. Lynde has not been confined to his church or town. Beyond their borders his influence has been felt and his usefulness acknowledged. In 1877 and 1878 he represented his district in the Massachusetts Senate, and the position there sought by him as a member of the Committee on Agriculture enabled him to do something to advance and promote the welfare of the farming interests of the State, to which, during his life, he had been actively and intelligently devoted.