Wilbraham Town (part 2 of 8)

So the matter rested for more than a, year. Some idea of prices at that time may be had from a vote taken at a meeting held December 10, 1744. "Voated to Thomas Mirick 10 shillings for two quires of paper for the use of Precinct Com. & Treasurer." The location of the meeting house was still an unsettled question, for on April 10, 1745, the precinct "Voted that the meeting House shall be set by the West Rode of this Precinct on the Land Called the over Plus Land in the middle Division." Our present Main Street was then called the West Road, and evidently the intention was to set the meeting house on that piece of land, since called "The Green," about where the school house of District No. 3 now is. It is apparent that the fathers felt the need of the most accurate information, for at a precinct meeting, about this time, they "Voated to Daniel Warner 6 pounds for the Province Law Books." But the all important question of a location for the meeting house would not stay settled. At a meeting held October 28, 1745, those who favored the Wigwam Hill location rallied all their forces and out-voted the "West Rode" parties, and, "Voated to Build the Meeting House on the Hill Called Wigwam' Hill" and "to chuse some Judicious Men to advise us as to some measures whereby we may Establish a Place where to Erect a meeting House in this Precinct,'' and it was "Voated that Mr. John Worthington, Mr. Francis BaU and Mr. Timothy Nash be advisers in the affair aforesaid;" and Caleb Stebbins is to "apply himself to said advisors in behalf of the Precinct." The committee may have given some advice, but they did not make any report that is recorded. On November 4, 1745, it is "Voated to Chuse a Committee to determine the Place or Spot on the Overplus Land in y' Middle Division, mewing the land at large, where the first Meeting House shall be erected," and that "Ensign William King, Lieutenant Abraham Adams, and Leut. Thomas Jones " be that committee. The next vote passed at this meeting seems to specify more definitely the powers of the committee, and the purposes of the precinct. "Voated, That Leut. Abraham Adams, of Suffield, Ens" William King, of Suffield, and Leut. Thomas Jones of Endfield, be a Committee to appoint and Determine in what Place in the Over Plus Land in the middle division in this Precinct, it is most fit for this Precinct to biaild their Meeting House, and that the Place which they shall appoint shall be the Place of Seting it, and that the Meeting House be set there accordingly, at the charge of this Precinct, and of such Dementions as this Precinct shall determine;" and Nathaniel Warriner is directed "to apply to the Committee," and "Daniel Parsons and Nathaniel Bliss to wait on the afores'' committee in showing of them the Land." The meeting was then adjourned to November 18, - two weeks - -when the report of the committee was received, whose decision they had voted should be final. The committee report: "Pursuant to the trust Reposed in us by said Precinct, after viewing the Land and hearing the Pleas in said Precinct, we Judge and Determine that the Meeting House be built on a Hill Commonly Called Wigwam Hill, about seven or eight and twenty Rods southward of the house of Rev. Noah Mirick" [which was six or eight rods northwesterly of the house in which Henry T. and C. P. Bolles now live], "and about seven Rods south westward from a pine tree which we have mark' with an ax as wittness our hands this sixteenth day of November, 1745." The good people generously paid Adams and King, of Sufiield, each, "four pounds," and "Jones of Enfield, three pounds 15 shillings, old tenor, for their services;" and Nathaniel Bliss and Daniel Parsons each "one pound five shillings for Rideing with the Committee 2 days & half ;" and Dea. Nathaniel Warriner "one pound six Pence for Procuring the Committee, and two Pound twelve shillings & six Pence," all in "Old Tenor, for Keeping said Committee and their Horses."

The meetings on Sunday having been held in Daniel Parsons' house, he was paid for its use for the year ending March 22, 1746, "two pounds, old tenor;" and in May there are " Voated and granted to Isaac Brewer, att the Rate of three pounds old tenor per year, for the use of his Chamber to Cary on the publick worship in," and "that he shall have Reasonable Elowance for fitting up said Chamber for the Decent Carrying on the worship in." The next year, March 17, 1747, there was "Voated and granted to Isaac Brewer twelve shillings, old tenor, for his Services in Riging up his chamber for the Publick Worship, with the nails he Provided." Everything now seems to be well arranged, a temporary place of worship provided, and the location of the meeting house decided ; nothing remains but to go on and finish the building. StiU things did not run smoothly. The precinct had for some cause got into a lawsuit with Daniel Parsons; the owners would not pay the "two pence per acre " land tax, and suits were growing up because the lands were sold to pay them. It seemed desirable to some "that the Lands that were given to the Rev. Mr. Mirick should be exempt from the tax laid upon it. Either in whole or in part;" and more than all, the meeting house question would not remain settled, but thrust itself forward at the precinct meetings, and on March 4, 1747, the precinct "Voats to Chuse Ensign Joseph Sexton, of Simimers, Leut"' Joseph Blocket, of Brimfield, and Leuf' Gersham Makepice, of Western, a committee" to "locate the meeting house and that they have liberty to set it in any place in the Precinct, and said committee shall view the lands of said Precinct at large, or till they be satisfied." They are no longer confined to the "Overplus Land. ' ' The precinct is ' ' All before them where to choose. ' ' A committee is chosen "to show them the land;" another, to entertain them; another, of six members, "to take care to build the meeting house at the cost of the Precinct where it is located," making it "forty five feet long, thirty five feet wide, and of suitable height." On the "first Monday in May, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon," it is " Voated that the award of the committee be accepted and recorded;" which was as follows: "We doe award. Prefix & Determine that the spot or place where their meeting House ought to be set, is on the Hill Commonly Called the Wigwam Hill, the centre of said spot being att a walnut Staddle of about four or five inches Diameter, there being a fast stone in the Ground, about two feet and a half northwest of said staddle; said staddle standing twenty^ eight . Rods & sixteen Links, Running by a point of compass from the southwest comer of Mr. Noah Mirick's dwelling-house, south sixteen degrees thirty minits East unto said staddle." After a struggle of six years, and the assistance of four different committees, chosen from outside the precinct, the "Place or Spot" is again selected, although the last location is practically the same as the one preceding it. So it appears that three different places were selected, at different times, on which to build the meeting house. First, on the hill, sometimes called Pine Hill, about sixty rods east of our present Main Street. Second, "by the West Rode," [the Green] and third and fourth, on Wigwam Hill. It is probable that the settlers in the east and south parts of the precinct favored that location. The "Stebbins History" says "there was a common of about two acres on which the meeting house was placed," and, that so much progress had been made in building the meeting house, that December 25, 1747, a precinct meeting is called "to be held at the house of Nathaniel Hitchcock or House of Publick Worship;" But it is probable that the words, "House of Public Worship" refer to Hitchcock's house, for his house had been used for that purpose, and at the precinct meeting held the next spring on March 15, 1748, the record says they were " assembled at the House of Nathaniel Hitchcock or House of Public Worship." At the meeting held December 25, 1747, the precinct " Voated & Granted Three Hundred and fifty pounds old tenor Bills for Defraying the Charge of Building a meeting House in this Precinct." So it wotdd seem that nothing had yet been done towards erecting the building. At the precinct meeting held at Hitchcock's house, March 15, 1748, there was an article in the warrant as follows, "Article 4, to Pass any further voats if thought Necessary Relating to Building a meeting House in S"* Precinct." There was no action on this article, as the precinct had voted at the previous meeting in December, to appropriate the money for the btiilding. After a struggle of nearly seven years, from December 5, 1741, to March 15, 1748, the "place or spot for setting the meeting house" is determined, and the necessary funds have been voted. Warriner's "seadar shingles," and Brewer's "good pine timber," and Stebbins' "Marchantable pine boards," and Warner's "slit work" have been seasoning and rotting on Pine Hill for nearly five years, waiting for the builders. At last the long looked for hour has come. Teams, scribers, axes, saws and hammers, and those eager pioneers, are busy at the task they loved, and so much progress was made that the meeting house was used late in 1748.

In the record of births, kept by "Clark" Warner, is the following entry: "Charles Brewer, son of Isaac and Mary Brewer was bom Dec. 18, 1748 the first that was Baptised in our meeting hous." And in the chiu-ch record is this entry : "Dec. 25, 1748, Charles, son of Isaac Brewer, Baptised, in meeting house." The next previous baptism is October 30, 1748. So that it is probable that the house was first used for public worship about that time. There is no record of any dedication services. The building was a mere shell for some years. On January 2, 1749, the precinct met at the meeting house, but adjourned to the house of Nathaniel Hitchcock, because, it is very likely, it was too cold to remain for the transaction of business, where they could endure to remain, warmed by the fervors of devotion, to worship. When they were assembled at

Hitchcock's, they, "Voated and Granted fourty Pounds old tenor to support the Charge of further finishing the meeting House." About two weeks later, on January 16, 1749, they met at the meeting house and, "15 pounds old tenor Granted to further finish the Meeting House."

At this same meeting, January 16, 1749, "David Mirick, Isaac Brewer, and Nathaniel Warriner" were "chosen a committee to Represent the Precinct to the town of Springfield in taking some measures to Get set off for a town in this fourth Precinct." So it seems the fathers gave some thought to the problems concerning an independent political existence, as a town, thus early. December 28th, 1749, the precinct "Voated and Granted to Nathaniel Hitchcock fifteen shillings old tenor for his services Clearing and sweeping the Meeting House," and March 17, 1750, "Voated and Granted to D" Nathaniel Warriner 40 shillings old tenor for Procuring the Meeting House swept the past year." At the same meeting, "Voated that Nathaniel Hitchcock Clear and make Decent the burying yard by the Charge of the Precinct." Some idea of the difference in value between "Old Tenor Bills," and "lawful money," may be gained by the two following votes. "Jan. 9, 1750, Voated for the Ministers salary for the past year 387 pounds 5 shillings old tenor." One year later, December 24, 1750, "Voated and Granted to the Rever""* Mr. Noah Mirick 41 pounds 8 shillings lawful money for his salary for the year past." It will be seen that, at that time, one pound in "lawful money "[coin]," was worth nearly ten poundrin "Old tenor."

In 1749 the selectmen of Springfield laid out, or altered, the road "running east & west near the rev^. Mr. Noah Miricks Dwelling - Beginning at the west road "[Main Street]" about 40 rod south of M*ses Burt's Dwelling House at a black oak tree thence easterly ' ' [the distances only are given here] ' ' 30 rods, then 18 rods, 24 rods, 18 rods, 14 rods, 6 rods, 20 rods, 14 rods, 13 rods, then 27 rods to the Rev^ Mr. Miricks Stone wall that Encloseth his Garden," [the stone wall is still there] "then eastward" [the distances are given with each change in the direction, amounting in all to 184 rods] "at or near the Road called the middle Road" [now Ridge Road]. The east part of that road, beyond the minister's house, was discontinued about fifty or sixty years ago, as the present road, leading over the mountain to Monson, rendered it tmnecessary.

Also on March 8, 1749, they laid out the road which has since been called, "Meeting House Lane;" "Beginning at the south west comer of the rev^ Mr. Noah Mirick's Stone Wall which Encloseth his Garden and about Seven or eight rods west of Mr. Mirick's House, then northerly to a tree, then 7, 9," 11 rods to a tree near a run of water, "then 12, 22, 8, 11," 8 rods to a rock 6 feet west of a white oak Staddle Marked, then 9, 14, "9 rods at the comer of Daniel Warner's New Pasture called his goat Pasture," then 17, "16 rods to a staddle. Thus far running northerly, from thence taking the weadth of said road in the propriety or Improvement of Isaac Brewea- and running by such a point as to take in the whole weadth of s"* road in the Propriety or Improvement of David Mirick where it comes into the West road or street" [Main Street] "by running near a west line 44 rods from s"* staddle to said street. 2 rods wide." This road, beginning at the west end, on the east side of Main Street, and about 3 or 4 rods north of the present road leading to Monson, was the original way to the Meeting House. It is now known as "Wade's, or Merrick's, Lane." It ran easterly 44 rods, then turned southerly, crossing the present road to Monson, (about where Federal Lane enters the Monson road) and continuing on southerly to the Meeting House on Wigwam Hill. That part of the road north of the Monson road was . discontinued, probably when the Monson road was laid out. The part south of Monson road was discontinued about 1870, and a new road, to take its place, made about 60 or 70 rods further to the east, from the present residence of C. C. Beebe to that of H. T. and C. P. Bolles.

At a precinct meeting held "Mar. 19"" 1751, Voated and Granted to Nathaniel Bliss 5 shillings 4 pence Lawful money to be paid to the Rev''"'* Mr. Merrick's Negro." This payment may have been for sweeping the meeting house. On "Jan. 5,

"Jan. 13 1752 Met at Meeting House and granted the Ministers salary 41 pounds 18 shillings 4 pence lawful money, then adjourned to the Dwelling House of Moses Burt;" [probably it was cold at the meeting house] "then, Voated and Granted 53 pounds, 6 shillings, 8 pence lawful money towards the further finishing the meeting house," and, "Thomas Mirick, Stephen Stebbins, Daniel Cadwell, David- Mirick & Nat' Warriner chosen a Committee to Lay out said money first in Ceiling and Plastering said Meeting House in order to make it warm and if there be any money Remaining to Lay it out in Procuring materials for the seats Sec" "March 17, 1752, Voated & Granted to Nathaniel Hitchcock Eight shillings for service Don to y= buring yard". It will be remembered that he was chosen two years before to make the "burying yard Decent." A few years later it was voted to build a Stone Wall around the Burying Ground, which, we are very thankful now, was never done. A Committee was appointed to make a new agreement with Rev. Mr. Merrick in regard to his salary, December 24, 1750. It is evident that the committee found their task a hard one, for the market value of certain necessary articles of consumption fluctuated considerably and the "Old tenor" currency depreciated so rapidly, that it was two years before they made their report. On January 9, 1753, they, made the following report:-.

"The agreement of y= Committee with y« Rever""* M' Noah Mirick upon y' species on w'^'' y* Sallary for y^ year past was Stated is as follows:

The report was accepted and the precinct "Voated and Granted y= Rev'"' Mr. Mirick his salary £ 43 - 10 s. 8 p. for past year." Also, "Voated that y' foregoing vote be understood to mean from y= 21'' December A. D. 1751 O. S." [old style] "to Jan'y y* 2"^ 1753 N. S." [new style] which makes a Compleat year & no more." Also, "Voated and Granted the sum of Ten pounds Lawful money for the further finishing y' Meeting House and other Contingent Charges." And at many of the precinct meetings, in the ten years following, additional sums were granted "for the further finishing of the meeting house. ' ' Such was the house our fathers erected in their poverty for the honor and worship of God. This was their "hill of Zion," this their .sanctuary. As they went up to worship, the broad expanse of the valley of the "Great River was spread out before them, from the mountains of Holyoke and Tom on the north, to the settlement at Hartford on the south. In the valley directly below them, the open fields of the early settlers were the first to greet their vision - the fields of Hitchcock and Burt and. Brewer and Merrick and Warriner; and on to the west, over forests and meadows, and beyond the plains of the inward commons, could be seen the blue line of vapor, signalizing the homes of the earlier settlers in Springfield Street ; or the white cloud of fog lying low along the banks of the Great River. And beyond, more than twenty miles away, rose the blue ridges of the Green Mountains, tipped with gold in the sunshine of the morning, veiled in ptirple in the evening ; and when the frosts touched the forests in autumn, the red maple flamed among the trees; and the green of the pines and the yellow of the walnut caused the whole vast landscape to appear like a gorgeous carpet woven in the loom of the gods. The Lord's house was exalted upon the hills, and hither the tribes came up to worship. And when the Sabbath morning comes, Daniel Lamb and Sykes from the Bay Road, Chapin and BUss and Bartlett, from on, and over, the mountain, Hitchcock and Burt, Brewer and Warriner and Warner and Merrick, from Main Street, and Badger and Skinner and Stebbins and Chapin and King, from the south part of the precinct, all wend their way, through the fields, and along the wood-land trails, and by obscui*e bridle-paths, and unworked highways, until the procession, some on horse-back and some on foot - ^for now, as it was before, to Springfield, the young men and the maidens thought the walk most delightful, - all went on together up to the place of the sanctuary. They made their horses fast to the trees about the meeting house, and after such Christian inquiries of the neighbors whom they met there, for news of their households, and of the precinct, as their curiosity compelled and reverence could not restrain, they entered the sanctuary which they had erected for the worship of the Lord."

After they were as comfortably seated as possible on the benches, in such order as had been prescribed, the "Worthy Rev. Noah Mirick," with wig or powdered hair and cue, bands and small-clothes and silk stockings and shoe-buckles of silver, entered the house, the congregation all rising as a token of riespect. He read a hymn, then handed the book over the top of the rough pulpit^ - ^for there was but one hymn-book in the precinct, and that was the minister's - ^to Deacon Nathaniel Warriner, who named the tune, gave the pitch, read one line of the hymn, and commenced singing it; Warner and Brewer and Langdon and Stebbins and Moses and David and Hosea and Huldah and Jemima and Ruth following after, as ability and strength permitted; the deacon considerately, and as became the service of God's House, waiting, before hfe gave out another line, till the most dilatory had finished.

When the hymn was ended, the minister solemnly prayed, the congregation all reverently rising. When the prayer was over, another hymn was sung in the same manner. Then the sermon was preached, not seldom interspersed with the twittering of swallows above, or the crying of babies below.

At last the benediction is pronoimced, and the minister leaves the pulpit and passes out first, the congregation all standing, as when he entered. The families now gather about in groups to eat their frugal dinners from the logs and stumps which were abundant.

The short intermission over, the afternoon service follows, similar in all respects to the morning; after which, Patd Langdon again loads his marvellous wagon, [the only one at that time in the precinct] with his own family, and some of his neighbors, others mount their horses, and still others on foot, wend their way along the bridle-paths, and abandoned Indian trails on their homeward way. Some not reaching their habitations until the going down of the sun, all grateful that God has "cast their lines in pleasant places, and that they have a goodly heritage." Saturday evening is "kept" by these pioneers, and when the "chores" are done, and the sun is set, they are already "dressed," and ready to call upon their neighbors in! a social, or more affectionate way.

This practice of "keeping" Saturday evenings was followed in many families within my own recollection. I can remember the time when, if the older boys or young men had traps or snares set to capture the game in the forest, those traps and snares must all be sprung on Saturday afternoon, before the sun went down, and not reset until after sundown on Sabbath evenings. Even the wild creatures of the woods, on which some of the people partly depended for food, must have their "day of rest" from the pursuit of the hunter. I can remember, when a child, of standing on tiptoe at a west window of my home on Sabbath afternoons, watching and wishing and waiting for the sun to go down, and when the last vestige of its glowing form had finally disappeared behind the western hills. Oh! then, I could run and caper. We have drifted a long way from the strict "Sabbath keeping" of those not very distant days. In these times, when on the Sabbath day, the automobile and the motor-cycle go puffing and popping and tooting their horns and - smelling - along the highway at a speed anjnvhere from five to fifty miles an hour, when the man with the baseball bat is knocking at the church door, and the sweaters of the football team are only a little way in the distance, there are many who are seriously asking the question, "Haven't we drifted far enough?"

finished; and the years until the incorporation of the town in 1763, are witness to earnest efforts to btdld pews and seats; to put in galleries, to plaster about the pulpit, to lay the gallery floor, to build seats in it, to plaster under it, and finally to plaster the house whoUy in 1756, eight years after it was occupied for worship.

On March 16th and 18th, 1756, the precinct meetings were held at the schoolhouse. Probably because the plastering and the "further finishing" of the meeting house were in progress; for I find that at the precinct meeting held January 5, 1757, it was "Voated and Granted to D" Nathaniel Warriner 1 pound 17 shillings for Money paid to Benj. Jones for plastering the Meeting House Nov. 1756 and for Keeping S^ Jones & his horse and for some Nails & Labour about S'^ Work." Also, "to Benonie Atchinson for Eight days and a half^ work about the Meeting House Fifteen Shillings. To Sam" Bartlett for 5 days and three quarters for work at the same place. 10 shillings, to Joseph Sikes for Twelve days & 3 quarters of himself and for his Team better than a day Ditto twenty four shUUngs - To D" David Mirick for half a days work making scafolding for the plaisterer nine pence two farthings." On "Mar. 24, 1760 the Parish Com. instructed to Repair the Roof of the Meeting House." Probably the five or six years that those "Good Sedar Shingles" had lain on "Pine HUl," had not increased their wearing qualities. But the finishing of the meeting house was an easy thing to do compared with the difficulty of "seating" it.

But afterwards, we know that it was customary to "seat" persons in order of their age, or of civil or military dignity. The eldest persons being assigned to the best, or highest pew - ^for the highest pew in honor was often far from being best in position. Generally only heads of families occupied the pews on the floor of the house. The young men and maidens, the boys and the girls, were "seated" in the gallery, after it was so far finished that it could be occupied, and where the services of the

Lord's house were not always visible and sometimes hardly audible. In 1753, a committee was chosen to "seat the Meeting House." They* reported and their "report was Excepted," but was not recorded. .Persons were often dissatisfied with the seats assigned them, and frequently, sometimes within a few weeks, another committee would be chosen to "Rectify the mistakes of the former committee, to Dignifie the seats, and seat said Meeting House a New." At a precinct meeting on "Jan. 1=' A. Do". 1760. Voted to seat the Meeting House anew" [committee of nine chosen] "according to their best Discretion. Saving y* men & women are to be Seated together. ' ' The report of this committee is recorded, and here we have, for the first time, the names of the families in the precinct. It will be noticed that the names of the deacons are not given. They doubtless occupied what was known as "The Deacons' Seat." It will also be observed that in "Pew No. 2^" is seated the wives of the two deacons, and "The Widow Mary Mirick." She was probably the widow of Deacon David Mirick, who had died about three years previous.

"We the Subscribers being Chosen a Committee at a Meeting in the Fourth Precinct in Springfield Held Ja" 1=' 1760 To Seat The Meeting House in S'' Precinct and to make Return of our Doings at y^ Adjournment of Said Meeting y^ 22^ of S"* Jan" Instant - ^We according mett and Seated y= fore S'^ House In the manner Following, and now OflEer it to your Consideration for acceptance - Niz

In the Pore Seat of the Body Lt Paul Langdon Thos Glover - Isaac Colton Benja Warriner Simeon Willard John Jones: Noah Alvard & The Widw. Mercy Bartlett the oposite Side -

In the Fore Seat in yo Upper T'' Elijah Wright Joel Atchason Benoni Atchason Tho^. Jones Nath' Bliss Junr Caleb Stebbins Jun»^ and Zadock Stebbins -

Fore Seat in the Upper Q^ Tabitha Day Dorcas Frost Elisabeth Alvard Mary Warner Ruth Stebbins Elisabeth Brooks Eunice Brewer Hannah Colton -

This "seating" was so unsatisfactory that another committee of nine was chosen, about three months later, "to "seat" the meeting house anew."

On March 24, 1761, the precinct "Voted that the present owners of the first Tear of Pews in the Body of the Meeting House alter the place of their Pew Doors of their Respective Pews at their own Cost if they please." Of the record of the "seating" of the meeting house in 1760, the Stebbins history says: "There are seventy-three men and six widows named, who are presumed to be heads of families, and who occupy pews and seats on the lower floor. Of these, twenty one are from what is now the South Parish." [Now Hampden] "In the galleries there are seated twenty six young men and thirty one young women, fifty seven in all. We shall not be far from the'truth, therefore, if we estimate the whole population of the precinct at this time at three hundred and fifty persons."

Another very important subject, and difficult to manage, was the disposal which should be made of both the "Ministry Lot" and the Overplus Land, a part of which, that the south side of the Middle Division, on which the^ev. Mr. Merrick's house stood, had been sold, or set to him, as the settlement accorded to the first settled minister of the precinct; but that on the south side of the Third Division, where the Langdons had settled, was still the common property of all the proprietors, and of course in part that of the precinct, as the "Ministry Lot" was by supposition a proprietor. As there were two "Ministry Lots" within the bounds of the precinct, - the one in the Middle or Second Division, No. 38, running across the precinct from east to west, and about one-half mile south of the Chicopee River, on our Main Street, and the other. No. 64, about one mile south of the present south- line of our town. As these "lots" were the common property of the town of Springfield, and hence of the other precincts, Springfield, West Springfield, and Longmeadow, each had a right to a proportionate share of their value, it was no easy task to satisfy, in any considerable degree, any of the parties.

At last, however, this was arranged, after repeated conferences of committees and years of discussion and concession. When the precinct was incorporated as a town, the two ministry and school lots in the precinct were set to the town of Wilbraham, so that the interests of the other precincts in them were ended. The income of the money obtained from the sale of these "ministry lots," is part of the fund for the support of the ministry which the two original church societies of the "standing order" now have.

By repeated conferences and compromises, the claims of Rev. Mr. Merrick to all the "Overplus Land of the Middle or Second Division, about six himdred and fifty acres, were so disposed of as to leave him a large and valuable farm, and the larger sympathy of his people.

It is probable that troubles arising out of Mr. Merrick's claims to so much land, which necessarily brought him into antagonism with many of his people, and the difficulty in arranging his salary, which for some years was based on the prices of certain commodities, were the cause of some church troubles which arose about 1754. At a precinct meeting held May 10, 1754, the following votes were passed; "Voated and Granted the sum of five Potmds Lawfull Money for defrajdng, the Charges of Entertaining the Counsel to set in this Place on y« 17"' of June next," also, "Voated and Granted to Dea. Nathaniel Warritier the sum of ten shillings Lawful Money for Keeping the former Counsel." There is no record in the precinct or church books of the calling of this former Coimsel," nor of the proceedings of either, but the following is copied from the church record of that time :

"June 21: -1754. Step"" Stebbins, Aaron Stebbins, Lewis Langdon, & Abner Chapin, made publick confession of y guilt, in absenting from y' Lords table, and publickly Exhibiting ag' y' Pastor a paper of Reproachful Charges. -

"Dan" Cadwell, Henry Badger, W" Stacy & Moses Stebbins, made publick Confession of y' guilt in publickly Exhibiting a paper of Reproachful Charges ag^' y^ Pastor. -

"Nath" Hitchcock made publick Confession of his guilt, in casting Diverse Slanderous aspersions upon y= Character of y' Pastor without any just and sufficient ground; and in absenting from- y^ Lords table; and in signing a paper of Reproachful Charges ag' y^ Pastor. -

At the precinct meeting, December 31, 1753, after voting the minister's salary, 44 p. 18 s. 2 p. the precinct, "Voated and Granted to S* Mirick twelve shillings & eight pence one farthing Excepted as Rearages of all his salary for the time past." Also, "Voated and Granted to said Mr. Mirick two pounds seaven shillings and five pence one farthing for his Boarding Mr. Kirtland." [I have the impression that "Mr. Kirtland" was a singing master.]

January 5, 1756, there was an article in the warrant for the precinct meeting, "Article 4. to know the minds of the Precinct Relating to Singing & what versions of the Psalms shall be sung in the Public Worship." There was no action under this article, but the question came up again and again.

The town of Springfield commenced to make appropriations for schools in the "Outward Commons, on the east side of the Great River, commonly, called the Mountains," as early as 1737, and every year thereafter until 1763, when the town was incorporated, beginning with the year 1737, when the amount was 3 pounds and increasing year by year until 1749, when the amotint was 35 pounds old tenor, which was at 75 per. cent discount, or more. In 1750 the amount was 4 pounds 13 shillings 4 pence, lawful money, and the same amount for the years 1751, 1752, 1753, 1754, and 6 pounds 16. S. 7 p. 1 farthing for the year 1755. For the next eight years the total amount raised is given, but the sum allowed the fourth precinct is not stated. On November 8, 1752, the town of Springfield elected a committee of three "to Examine the Circumstances of the Inhabitants of the Mountain Parish with Respect to the Towns

School House Now Standing In Present Town Of Hampden

Granting them a sum of money towards Defraying the Charge of -building the School House already built in said Parish & make Report at this meeting." On November 4, 1754, a committee was chosen "to view and Consider the more proper Place or Places for School Houses to be built in the Mountain Parish & what sum is Proper to allow said Inhabitants for the School House already built there, and s^ com^^ are directed to make report as soon as may be." At another meeting, held twenty days later, the town "Granted the suia of 6 pounds to be paid to Ens" James Warriner For and Towards the Charge of Btiilding the school House lately built at the Mountain Parish so Called and to be by him repaid to the Several Persons who were at the Expense of btdlding the Same in Equal Proportion according to what they Severally advanc"* for that purpose they certifying to him what each advanc*^ and what they are severally to Receive out of the said Sum therefore." So it seems that a school house had been erected in the outward commons, or fourth precinct, previous to November 8, 1752. It is said to have stood on the west side of Main Street, some twenty or thirty rods south of our present Springfield Street and nearly opposite where the present Congregational Meeting House stands. The name and fame of the early teacher, for years town and Parish Clerk, Ezra Barker, usually called Master Barker, have come down to us bearing a multitude of traditions of his wit and of his rod, of the pranks of the boys and the tricks of the girls, some true, some probable. That he was a good penman the records of both town and parish testify, and anyone who is called to search the records of those days, owes him a debt of gratitude for the clear and legible manner in which he did the work. And in this connection it may be 'said that the writing of James Warriner, who was also town and parish clerk for a number of years, about the same time, is very legible and easy to read, after more than a hundred years. A few roads were laid out by the town of Springfield within the precinct, and some by the county; but they were mere cart- or bridle paths leading from one neighborhood and clearing to another. No work appears to have been done on them but to pick out a few stones, make crossings over a few brooks, and cut away the trees and bushes when they intruded too closely on the path. The Bay Road was subject to some changes and alterations. Some of the names given to localities are of interest to us today. On May S"* 1732, some changes were made in it. The main thing that we are interested in is, that as the surveyors came along from the east, they passed through the "Elbows or Kingstown" [that portion of our town lying north of the bay road, and east of Chicopee River], and the surveyors go on to say - "and to keep the path as it now goeth along by Nine Mile Pond intoj^Springfield." Also, in 1744, some other changes were made. [I have abbreviated the record.] Highway Spring- field to Kingston, by nine mile pond. "That the Road begin at the Old Road on the easterly side of said Pond and extending thence easterly 4 rods wide, thence East 2 Deg 30, So. 31 rods, thence East 3 Deg. 30. So. 39 rods to a rock and stones on it, thence east 3 d. No. 49J^ rods to a stiunp and stones near Lambs Door, thence east, 9 d. so. 34 rods to a small white oak marked - ^which road is running through the school lot."

In 1755, the town of Springfield laid out a "highway from the parting of the Paths against Goose Pond" [now Winchester Square] "to the Outward Commons," [very much abbreviated imtil the present west line of Wilbraham is reached] "to the east side the brook at Stone Pitt" [perhaps now, Watershops Pond, or the small brook about one-half mile further west], "then - ^to Mr. James Warriners fence - to Warriner's Bridge - to the northwest comer of a scheme lot laid out to Samuel Warner 2'"' then east 80 rods to the meadow at Kilbom's Bridge, then east 14 rods to the east side the causeway then east 20 rods^ - ^by David Jones house, then 12 rods, then 20 rods to a heap stones, then north 45° east 4 rods then 14 rods, then east 83^ rods to the outward commons." [The variations from due east are not given here.] This is our present highway from the Centre Village to Springfield, west of the line of the outward commons, now called Springfield Street, and this record is principally interesting because of the names given to localities, such as, "Stone Pitt," "Warriner's Bridge," "Kilbom's Bridge," and "David Jones house." The two last are in our town. "Kilbom's Bridge" was at the crossing of the most westerly brook, on that road, in our town. The meadow, through which the brook runs, is often called in the early records, "Worlds End Meadow," and the brook "Worlds End Brook." The brook is called by that name in the record of the "Newbury Survey" in 1729. We also learn where David Jones lived in 1755. Evidently the good people of Springfield, in those early days, thought they were a long way from home, when they got out to "Worlds End Meadow." It is somewhat singular that four of the brooks we cross, as we go along Springfield Street westward, are the same brook, although the first one, west of

Main Street, is only a branch which runs into "Pole Bridge Brook" before it reaches West Street, which street it crosses 50 or 60 rods north of the " Tinkham Road," and continuing on westward 50 or 75 rods, turns to the northward and again crosses Springfield Street about one-fourth of a mile east of our west bounds. The brook continues on northerly, then westerly, then southerly tmtil it flows into the Watershops Pond. Some of us remember when there was a broad meadow where the pond now is, and when we drove through the brook there to water our teams.

It seems, from the early records, that there were milestones set along the Bay Road to indicate the distance from Boston. I find this in the record of an alteration made in that road in 1777. The surveyors, going eastward, mention a stone marked 89 miles from Boston, and then say, " - ^just by Cornelius Webb's old Chimney about 2 rods north east of the stone marked 88 miles from Boston." It may not be known now, to all of our townsmen, that the Bay Road, after passing Nine Mile Pond, continued along easterly, crossing Main Street and continuing along what is now called Maple Street, past the Grace Church and on up the hill south easterly, to comparatively level ground, where it again turned easterly, going on down the hill by a course which is quite plain to be traced today, and entering the present road a little west of "Eleven Mile Brook," [frequently called twelve mile brook].

As the time passed the agricultural products of the precinct were becoming more various and more abtindant ; the cultivated fields were growing broader and richer every year. The houses were more convenient and more comfortable. Still there was little which would gratify the tastes or supply what would now be called the necessaries of a comfortable home. Bare walls, bare floors, scant furniture, the oaken table and chest and pine "settle" were the chief adomings of the houses in those days, with perhaps a few exceptions. Among these was that of Ensign Abel Bliss, who, as tradition says, "did carry six bushels of salt on his back all at one time." As I have already said, he built his log house on the west side of the mountain, or Ridge road, on an elevated portion of his farm, about 1736. At about the same time he set out an apple orchard. The difficulty of getting water on the elevated ground induced him to change his location to a place a little north, of the most northerly brook which crosses that road, and to its east side. He was a man of great energy, like so many of those early settlers, and erected a "tarkiln ' ' on the ' ' river lot ," and is said to have gathered pine-knots and hearts, called candle- wood,. with which our great grandfathers and great grandmothers illuminated their dwellings, in the south part of Ludlow and Belchertown, - it being forbidden to gather them but for lights in the precinct - and made two hundred barrels of tar, which he sold for, what would now be, five dollars a barrel, realizing one thousand dollars, and in 1744 began to erect a large two-story house 32 x 40 feet.

The plan was so pretentious that it is said the Rev. Noah Merrick, ascertaining what a grand mansion his parishioner was about to build, and perhaps fearing that his people were becoming inflated with worldly pride, thought it incumbent on him to check such tendencies at the beginning. So on a Sunday morning, he took for the text of his sermon the words, "Build not your house too high." Whereupon the rebuked Abel cut off the upright posts of his house seven inches; lowering the first story that much. The text in question caused a great rustling of Bible leaves throughout the parish, and there was much discussion as to where in the Holy Word the minister had found such a text. Finally some inquisitive person began to search the catechism, and the mystery was solved. The house is said to have been the first in this section to have square paiies of glass in the windows, all the others having diamond shaped panes. There is a quaint story in connection with this place which was told me, a few years ago, by a woman who was told the story by her grandmother, who was living near there at the time the incident happened. An Indian chief had brought his son there to be taught the white man's ways by the Bliss family, and instructed somewhat in book "laming." The family had a large dog named "Pomp" which was a great playmate for the boys. One day the Indian boy was told to go out into the orchard and bring in some apples, from a particular tree, for baking. Every instinct of his nature, from his early training, rebelled at the thought of doing such "squaw's work." An hour or two passed and there were no apples brought. When remonstrated with by Mr. Bliss for his neglect to obey, he drew himself up to his full height and answered with great dignity, "Let Pomp pick up apples." Later in the day, when one of the girls, of the family asked him to show her where that particular tree was, so that she might get some, he led her all around the orchard before bringing her to the right tree, which was not very far from the house. Taking his revenge in that way for the indignity put upon him. This place, now known as the "Speer Place," has been in the same family for about one hundred and seventy-seven years. It descended from Abel to his son Oliver, from Oliver to his son John, from John to his daughter Catherine Mary Ann Antoinette (Bliss) Speer. She told me once, that she thought she was named after all her aunts. She also told me she had heard her father say that when he was a boy, he went out to the Bay Road and was honored with a bow from General Washington, as the General was passing along the road on the way to Boston. General Washington,, writing in his diary about his passing along the Bay Road at that place says, "it was rough and rocky." Probably it was, on the part now abandoned. There are reports that the house was once a tavern, and that Washington spent a night there. But I do not think it was so.

It is said in the Stebbins History that there were no inhabitants in the south part of the precinct, previous to 1741. In that year, Stephen Stebbins came from Longmeadow and settled on the west side of the main road to Somers, a few rods north of the Scantic, where Mortimer Pease now lives. Aaron Stebbins, his brother, built a little north of the present schoolhouse near there. These were brothers of Samuel, who had settled some years before, as I have said, on the "Stebbins Road."

In the year 1743, Israel Kibbe of Somers, my great-greatgrandfather [on my mother's side], purchased quite a piece of land near the southwest comer of the precinct, and in 1764 he sold that, with some more land, to his son, my great-grandfather, Gideon Kibbe, who Hved there about thirty years, when he moved to the Baptist District in East Longmeadow.

About the year 1810 he built the house on the east side of our Main Street, now standing, about ten or fifteen rods north of Federal Lane (where Mr. Bryant now lives), for his son. Dr. Gideon Kibbe, who followed his profession here for almost fifty years, and is still remembered by some of our older residents. He wished me to be a physician, and in 1853, when I was nine years old, he prevailed upon my mother [his niece], to allow me to come and live with him, and since then Wilbraham has been my home. The doctor's father was a lieutenant in two different regiments in the Revpltitionary War, and I have the powder horn which he carried, while in the service. It is finely ornamented with etchings, made I supjDOse With his Jack-knife, of several different designs, among which are the masonic emblems of the square and compasses, also the date "1776," and his initals, G. K., cut in the bottom.

As we approach the close of the precinct period of our town, the record contains the account of the sad tragedy of the death of Lieutenant Mirrick's son. Faithful "Clark" Warner records as follows:

"No. 84, Timothy Mirrick, the son of L' Thomas and Mary Mirrick was bit by a ratel snake on August the 7"', 1761, and died within about two or three ours, he being 22 years, two months and three days old and vary near the point of marridg." The place where this young man lived is now the most southerly place in our town, on the Main Street, and is owned by Ethelbert Bliss. The meadow where he was mowing when bitten, is off to the southwest, some seventy to ninety rods from the home of Mr. Bliss [in 1863 the place was owned by Porter Cross] and the tragic spot can be plainly seen from

About forty years ago, William V. Sessions, who was bom in 1801, showed me the place, and said that the summer of 1761 was very dry and it was supposed that the serpent had cotaie down from "Rattlesnake Peak," on the mountain, where there were known to be a few, to the meadow, in search of water. He also told me that a search for the snake was made the next

Old Merrick House

The house which was being built fOr the young man, so near the "point of marridg" is still standing on the east side of the road and is occupied by Walter Bliss. The front is two stories high, but the rear has the long steeply pitched roof slanting down to quite near the ground, in old-time fashion.

Extensive changes have been made in the looks of the house in the past year, by btiilding a piazza across the front. A poem was written on this sad event, which hasjiad a wide circtilation. In the Stebbins History it is called the great "Elegy of the Mountains."

Elegy Of The Young Man Bitten By A. Rattlesnake

tho all around his voys wase hered but none of his friends to him apiere they thot it wase sorne workmen calld and there poor Timothy alone must fall

And there he lay down sopose to rest with both his hands Acrost his brest his mouth and eyes Closed fast And there poor man he slept his last his father vieude his track with great consam Where he had ran across the com tineven tracks where he did go did apear to stagger to and frow

This poem was read at a banquet in Springfield in May, 1886, and printed in the Springfield Republican June 6, 1886. It was again printed on Nov. 23, 1911, with an article written by Miss Evanore O. Beebe of our town, descriptive of the event, and the scenes surrounding it. This last insertion brought six or more letters to the Republican, one each from Salem, Mass., Greeley, Col., West Suffield, Conn., Bridgeport, Conn., Greenfield, Mass., and Virginia City, Nev.

The letter from Nevada is especially interesting, as it was written by the great-great-grandson of a brother of George Washington, and is as follows:

"That 'Springfield Mountain' song got down into old Virginia. It used to be sung to me by the negroes when I was a chUd. They used a sort of whining refrain that was most striking and amusing. This is what I remember of it: -

There was a version which I think was siing here at an "Old Folks' Concert," about forty-five years ago. It was sung as a solo, and all the troupe joined in the chorus.

Altogether I have seen seven or eight versions of this famous ballad, generally written just as the writers remembered to have heard their grandfathers, or grandmothers sing, or repeat it, a good many years ago.

" Then Molly Bland she squatted down And sucked the pizen from the wound, But, O ! she had a rotten tooth. And the venom soon affected both."

The name, or the residence, of the author of this famous poem are alike unknown. The Stebbins History says, that "Nathan Torrey has the honor of authorship, if any reliance can be placed upon the most direct and authentic tradition on the subject." The grave of the unfortunate young man is in the Deacon Adams Cemetery, near the easterly part of the older portion. His epitaph reads: -

Old Mebrick House, Eemodeled In 1913

The military eclipsed the literary renown of this period. Capt. Samuel Day, Lieut. Thomas Merrick, and Ensign Abel Bliss were commissioned as officers before 1754; and for the French War, which raged during this period, 1755-1760, twentytwo men were enlisted from the fourth precinct as among the patriots of that early period. The names are all entered as from Springfield, but the following were probably from what is now Wilbraham: In 1755, for three months, John Langdon, Timothy Wright, Philip Lyon, William King, Jr.; in 1755, for eight months, Sergt. Daniel Cadwell, Sergt. Paul Langdon, Corp. Isaac Colton, Corp Aaron Bliss, Aaron Alvord, Aaron Warriner, Stephen Bliss, Jesse Warner, Aaron Parsons, Benjamin Warriner, Samuel Warner, Benjamin Wright. They were in the battle near the southern extremity of Lake George, with Baron Dieskau, and Lieutenant Burt of the company was killed; In

Samuel Warner, Sr., who is the so-called "Clark", Warner, kept a Journal of this expedition, which is still in existence and from which I will make a few extracts. He was in Capt. John Bancroft's Company, and Col. Timothy Ruggles's Regiment. I will commence with the brief account he gives of the trip from Albany to Fort Edward.

"I now give an a Coumpt of our March from Albana to fort Edward. We loaded 19 Barrilsof flower and pork in a batoo and Carrid them within three miles of Stillwarter and there on Looded in the hull of otir Re^ment there was about 1100 B anils and then we went to Stillwarters and Looded 25 B anils in Each Battoo which made about 1400 and Carrid them up to about a mile above Sototoga and onloded the Same and then went about one mile and then Looded 22 Barrils which made 1300 and Carrid them to the fott of the falls at fort miller onloded them there the Batops was caned about half a mile and the provision and then Looded againe 20 B arils 1150 and Carrid them to fort Edward this is a treu acount a varey hard voige we had. frey Day 8"" Day (June) this Day varey Clowday. Ran and Cold in the morning and afterwards more moderate and Sun Shine. Varey Cold att Night and just in the morning We had a varey grate Larrom by the polesy of the jeneral amhers[t] ordered a party of men att the falls to fier there guns att a marke varey Brisk on purpos to See what Readynes the armey wotdd Be in the armey was all Drawd up in arms.

"Sabday 10* this day 6 o'clock the hilanders fierd one Round Distinct one after a nither and a fare plesant Day afterwards our soldiers went to Battooing onley saveing the quarter guard and a few that was not well.

"Saturday 16"" this Day there was one of the Conecticots Brought to place of Execution in order to be shot to Death for Desartion & after giving warning to others and then makeing of a prayer he was placst upon his Knees & his cap over his face Reseved a pardon yesterday and to day we Looded about 300 Batoos and they was carrid to half way Boock and 100 teems.

& myself to-day for Nothin worth a menshing the young man Becas his gun went of upon half Bent and myself Becase I did not goo So quick and Call my sun when Sergeant Daniel Miller Bid me goo I Being upon other Duty the same time yet I went Not Withstanding But I had my dismisshon without any thing more said to me.

"Thursday 21=' this Day we marcht from fort Edward with about ten Reigements we struck our tents about brake of Day slong our packs about Sun Rise and stood with y"" on a full ouer then marcht forward Nor onlooded Nor Rested till we got within five miles of Lake gorge there Rested about one ouer and half varey hot men allmost Beet out By going without vittuals in the morning about 500 teems and wagins the officers had no packs the general and other big officers had horsis and Servens they did not Consider the poor solders Had they Had any Compasshoon upon poore Solders they wood not a dun as they Did one man Dyed By Reson of Such Hard traveling and Drinking of warter this was a Conectucut man and two or three more it was said they ware a Dying the armey was marcht of in the morning on a sudden and had not time to git any Refreshment to Carey with them But God in His providence has spared men's Lives & Carrid threw heathen to we shall not Dey Before our time.

"Tuesday 26 - - ^this Day order Came out in general that No solder should drink any warter without it Being Boild Except he had ginger in it.

of about 60 of the inemy fell on a party of the gersey Bleu and Kild 8 and scalpt them upon the Spot and wounded 3 more this was in full view of our armey a more protickular a compt there was 18 of the garsey bleu went to git Bare one the North of our Camps and thare was it was soposed about three or five score of the inemy got Between our men and the gard wood and stoane and a Horspottal of Stoane the Length about 8 Roods the wedth about Eighteen feet from out side to out side the thickness of the Wale two feet and J4 the hith about five feet. - of some strong place up Canaday River this Day there came in a party of the Indions under the command of Capt Jacob that went down the Lake some Days ago tis said the Indias fel on him & wounded y' Cap' and another of his men. I tuck more observation of Buldings and in sted of one Hospotitel there is three more all in a few Roods of one a nither one stoon two wood Housen.

"Saterday 21='^ this day the armey marcht for ticonderoga they struck there tents about three o'clok in the morning and about sun rise the Bigest part of the armey got to the warter side they Borded three Batoos about Sun an ouer and half high and set of about twelve o'clock they ware out of sight and they Cep a going of all the Day afterwards 10-20-30 Batoos to a time till sun one ouer and J^ high att night then the Sloop set sail and att Sun Down she was about 15 miles of tis soposed to be 12000 men 15 morters 12.12 pounders 6.24 pounders of Brase 3 18 pounders of Iron & a grate numbere of swivels this Day there is a grate morning among the Wiming as if they had Lost there Husboms

"Thusday [August] 2^ this day 12 o'clock news came that crown point was Blown up By the french the truth I will waight for Esq Woodbridge says it is treu without fail and the french are a fortifying about ten or 15 miles Beyond.

"Teusday V"" By the Reson of the Heat the Injineare and two or three more ware Carid from thare work to thare tents and I ware varey much put to it to keep upon my Leegs.

The distance of the precinct from Springfield Street, the regularly increasing population, the different interests of the people, and their demonstrated capacity to administer affairs, prompted the inhabitants as early as January 16, 1749, "to chuse three men [David Mirick, Isaac Brewer and Nathaniel Warriner] a Committee to Represent the Precinct to the town of Springfield in taking some measures to get set off for a town in this fourth Precinct." The action of the town of Springfield was unfavorable to their cause; and they delayed further attempts till December 31, 1753, four years, when they again "voated to chuse a committee [Dea. Nathaniel Warriner, David Mirick' and L'. Sam" Day] to apply to the town of Springfield to see if they be willing we should be set of a District." Nothing seems to have come of this petition, for I find an article - on which, however no action seems to have been taken - ^inserted in the warrant for a meeting, January 1, 1760, "To chuse a Committee to apply to the town to set us of to be a District." Again January 1, 1761, it is "voted that Deacon Nath. Warriner, Daniel Warner, William King be a Com"' to apply to the Town for their Consent that we be set of a District;" and, in the following March 24, 1761, it is "voted that the same Com*'' which were Chosen to Apply to the Town to set us of a District be further Impowered to Apply to the General Court for a Confirmation of the same on the Precincts Cost and Charge."

new resolutions. They determine to try what virtue there is in new men and more of them, the south part of the precinct coming to the rescue, and the next year, January 7, 1762, it is "Voted that John Bliss, William King, Daniel Cadwell, Stephen Stebbins and James Warriner be a Com*''= to apply to the Town for their Consent that we be set of a District or Town." Not much progress appears to have been made in softening the hearts and subduing the wills of the town, for on the following March 22, 1762, it is "Voted that Stephen Stebbins, James Warriner and Daniel Cadwell be a Committee to Apply to the Town and General Court, if need be, to see if they will sett of this Precinct a separate Town or District." These repeated petitions are evidently producing their effect, for once more, with renewed vigor, they vote, January 3, 1763, that "Dec" Nathaniel Warriner, L" Tho= Mirick and Stephen Stebbins be a Com'^^ in behalf of the Precinct to Apply to the Town of Springfield for their Consent to be Sett of a Separate Town or District, & that they be fully Impowerd to Persue our Petition to the General Court in Ord'' to be Sett of afores"* "

This committee succeeded in their endeavors. Fourteen years after their first petition went to Springfield, delayed, defeated, but never subdued or discouraged, they at last wring, by their tireless importunity, a favorable answer to their prayer. Their petition was granted, and the Act of Incorporation was signed by Sir Francis Bernard, Governor of the Province, June 15, 1763, - one hundred and fifty years ago, - by which act the fourth parish in Springfield was erected a separate town by the name of Wilbraham, and there were granted to the town all the privileges and immunities of other towns with the anomalous exception of the power of choosing a representative to the General Court; in this election, they must still unite with Springfield.

Act Of Incorporation

Whereas the Inhabitants of the Fourth Parish in said Springfield have represented to this Court that they labour imder great Inconveniences and Difificulties in attending on the Publick Affairs of the said Town, by reason of their great distance from the usual Place where they are transacted etc : and that they are increased to such ntimbers that it may be fitting that they should be incorporated into a separate Town, and have accordingly petitioned this Court therefor -

Be it therefore enacted by the Governor, Council and House of Representatives, That the said fourth Parish in said Springfield with the addition of half a mile West from the West line of Said Parish from Chicobee River on the North, to the northerly Line of the Township of Somers on the South be erected into a separate Town by the name of Wilbraham and that the inhabitants of said Town be invested with all the Powers and Priviledges that Towns in this Province enjoy by Law, that of sending a Representative to this Court only excepted. And that the said Town shall have fall Right and Liberty from Time to Time to join with said Town of Springfield in the choice of Representatives, to represent them at the General Assembly, And that the said Town of Wilbraham shall from Time to Time be at their Proportionable Part of the Expense of such Representatives, and the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of Wilbraham shall be notified of the Time and Place of Election in like manner as the Inhabitants of said Springfield, by a warrant from the Selectmen of said Springfield, directed to tlje Constable of said Wilbraham, directing him to warn the Inhabitants of said Wilbraham to attend the said meeting at the Time and Place therein assigned and that the Pay of said Representatives be borne by said Towns of Springfield and Wilbraham in the same Proportion from Time to Time as they pay to the Province Tax. And in order effectually to Prevent all future Dispute that might otherwise arise between the said Towns of Springfield and Wilbraham respecting their joint Interests or joint Duties;

Be it Enacted, That the said Town of Wilbraham shall enjoy the two Ministry and School Lots in said Town, in full Satisfaction of their Share in the Ministry and School Lands in said Town of Springfield, and of the Money and Debts due to said Town : That they pay their due Proportion of the Town Debts already contracted, and have their due Proportion of the Town Stock of Ammunition: That they pay to the Support of the present Poor of said Town of Springfield (now supported at the Town Charge) Eleven Pounds in One Hundred so long as they shall Continue a Charge to said Town'; and that this Act shall not be construed to hinder or prevent any Persons, Inhabitants of said Springfield from Cutting Timber or Taking Herbage or Stone on any of the Lands in said Wilbraham so long as they remain unfenced, any more than if this Act had not been made.

And he it further Enacted, That John Worthington, Esq. be and hereby is empowered and directed to issue his Warrant directed to some principal Inhabitant of said Wilbraham requiring him to warn the Inhabitants of said Town qualified to vote in Town affairs to assemble at some suitable Time and Place in said Town, to choose such Officers as may be necessary to manage the affairs of said Town, which at such meeting they are hereby empowered to choose.

Provided, nevertheless, the Inhabitants of said Wilbraham shall pay their proportional Part of all such Province and County Taxes as are already set upon them by the said Town of

And be it further Enacted, That of the sum set on the Town of Springfield as their Proportion with other Towns in a Tax of one Thousand Pounds, for the future of the said Town of Springfield, shall retain the sum of Eleven Poimds two Shilliags and ten Pence two Farthings; and that there be set on the said Town of Wilbraham the sum of one Pound thirteen Shillings and six Pence as their Rate or Proportion for their Payment of publick Taxes. ^

In his address in 1831, speaking of the incorporation of the town, Dr. S. F. Merrick says; "In 1763 the parish was incorporated into a town by the name of Wilbraham, the name was very grevious to us and we are hardly reconciled to it yet." It seems strange that a name should have been selected, that was "very grevious" to the people of the town.

The Stebbins History says, "The town appears to have received its name either from an English Baronet of the name of Wilbraham or from the Parish called Wilbraham, situated near Cambridge in England. - Sir Thomas Wilbraham died in 1692. - If the people of Wilbraham supposed their town was named for this bitter royalist and anti-Puritan, it may account for their dissatisfaction."

"But there is another way of accotmting for the name. Wilburgham, or Wilbraham, as the modern spelling is, is a parish or town in the hundred of Staine, County of Cambridge, seven miles from Cambridge, northeasterly. There are two villages, 'Wilbraham Great,' and 'Wilbraham Little.' - "Rowland Stebbins, the ancestor of the Stebbinses, and William Pynchon, the ancestor of the Pynchons, and the original proprietor of Springfield, originated in the near neighborhood of these Wilbrahams, and came from near them to this country." It is very probable that through the influence of the descendants of Stebbins and Pynchon, the name Wilbraham may have been selected for this town." In a History of New England, published in 1879, I find the following relating to the meaning of the name: "The inhabitants of Wilbraham, at the time of its incorporation, objected strenuously, but vainly, to the name attached to them, which has the significance of 'Wild Boar's Home."

There are a few persons in this country with that name. And several years ago there was a firm in Philadelphia, Pa., dealing in carriage makers' supplies, of the name of "Wilbraham Bros." Sometime ago, as I have been told, there was a student here at the Academy, of that name. One day, soon after his arrival, he rushed into the post office, at the time of the distribution of the morning mail and cried out, "Any letters for 'Wilbraham' to-day?" The postmaster thought he was acting a little "fresh," and answered, "Well! I should say there was." But as he did not pass out any, the young man soon explained that Wilbraham was his name.

Today, one hundred and fifty years after the incorporation of the town, we have no feeling of resentment against the anti- Puritan Baronet, "Sir Thomas Wilbraham;" we have a kindly feeling towards "Wilbraham Great," and "Wilbraham Little," of Old England; we can afford to laugh at the supposed meaning, "Wild Boar's Home," and we are all glad that the name of our dear old town is WILBRAHAM.

About fifteen years ago, while in a southern state, I was telephoning a message to the central office, to be sent by telegraph to this town. A negro was taking the message and when that was finished, I told him over the telephone that I wanted to be sure that he had the name of the town right, as there were other towns in Massachusetts with somewhat similar names, and I mentioned Williamstown and Williamsburg. "Yes sir," he said, " I think I have it right; Wil-bra-ham, not A-bra-ham." I told him that he had it right.

The territory of the precinct was enlarged, in the act of incorporation, by the addition of a strip of land on the west side, from the "inner commons," half a mile wide, extending from the Chicopee River to the Connecticut line. In 1780, when the line of Connecticut was accurately surveyed, there fell to our portion another strip of land, called the "Oblong" or "Wales," about a mile in width at one end, and three-quarters of a mile at the other, across the whole width of the town. And finally, to render any further allusion to the territory of the town unnecessary, I will add that, in 1799, thirty-six years after the town was incorporated, that portion of the first division of the "outward commons of Springfield," which lay on the east side of Chicopee River, now called the "Elbows," then "Kingsfield or Kingstown," on the north side of the Bay Road, was added to the town. By these additions, the town was made four and a half miles wide, as far north as its western line extended. Its length, on the west side, was eight miles and one hundred and fifty-two rods; and on its eastern side its length was ten miles and one hundred and thirty rods.

But some of the early settlers had gone, and enjoyed not the ripe clusters of their hopes and labors. A few had left the precinct. Of the pioneers, David Merrick, Abel Bliss, Samuel Stebbins, and Paul Langdon, had died. There had been births to rejoice and deaths to grieve thein during this period. Infancy and manhood went down to the grave, and the "grave-yard," which they had raised many pounds to keep "decent," was becoming the sacred treasury of many of their dear ones. There had been eighty-eight deaths since the settlement, three before the incorporation of the precinct. There had been also three hundred and twenty-five births, and if we include those bom in the half-mile added from the "inner commons" and in the strip called Wales, annexed to the south end of the town, there had been three hundred and sixty-six births. The popu- lation of the town at the time of incorporation, June 15, 1763, could not have varied much from four hundred and fifty or five hundred persons.

The first warrant for a town meeting was issued by John Worthington, Esq., of Springfield, to Stephen Stebbins, of Wilbraham, Yeoman, bearing date August 8, 1763, requiring him "to warn the Inhabitants of Said Town of Wilbraham Quallifyed by law to vote in Town affairs that [they] meet and Assemble together at the Meeting House in S"* Wilbraham on Thursday the Twenty-first Day of Aug' Currant At one of the Clock in the afternoon Then and there to Choose a Moderator to preside and Conduct the Said Meeting - and then to Choose all such Town Officers as may be Necessary to Manage the affairs of Said Town and Towns in this Province are by law Oblige to Choose." "Stephen Stebbins, YeOman, failed not" to "warn" the people, nor were the people slow to hear and obey the warning. They "assembled and met together" as required, August 25, 1763, and it was "Voted that L' Thom' Mirick Shoiild be Moderator for S"* Meeting. Voted that Ezra Barker [he who was called Master Barker] Should be Clerk for Said Town." The meeting then adjourned to one o'clock the next day to give the "Clerk" opportunity to go to Springfield to be sworn, for there was no Justice of the Peace in Wilbraham in those days. ' ' Josiah D wight Jus' Peace ' ' certifies that Ezra Barker "took the Oath Respecting the Bills of the other Goverrmient and the Same Time the Oath of Office as a Clerk for Said Town of Wilbraham." Barker hastens back to town meeting at one o'clock, when the rest of the town officers are duly chosen: "Selectmen, Treasurer, Constables, Assessors, Tithing Men, Surveyors of Highways, Fence Viewers, Dear Reavers, Sealers of Leather, Hogg Reaves, Wardens, Surveyor of Shingles, Claboards, &c., Surveyors of Wheat." There is no tradition that there had been any caucusing previously to the meeting, but there was some sly waggery among these grandfathers of ours on town-meeting day. It is recorded by Ezra, the Clerk, that "Serg' Moses Burt & W" Stacy Hogg Reaves (were) not Sworn at This Time being absent." Four days after, the honest clerk records that "Serg' Moses Burt and W"" Stacy Refus"* taking their oath of Office, They being chosen Hogg Reaves!"

Three- officers are named here whose duties ceased long since and of which the younger portion of this assembly require an explanation. The "Warden's" duty was to see that no trespasses were made on the common lands, by destrojdng the timber, and carrying off valuable property for private uses contrary to law. The "Dear Reaves" were to see that deer were not hunted and taken at unsuitable seasons of the year. The "Tithing Men" were to see that the Sunday laws were obeyed, and especially that frisky boys and girls in the galleries at the meeting house should restrain their playfulness and dumb telegraphing to each other while the sacred services continued. The latter was a task requiring ceaseless vigilance, and often was regarded as "labor spent for naught and in vain."

The town is now organized. Money must be raised and appropriated for highways, schools, the poor, and the ministry. We may well arrange our survey of this period under the three general heads of Municipal, Ecclesiastical, and Revolutionary History. At the second meeting, held December 1, 1763, the first money was raised and appropriated: for the "Support of Schooling," £ 15; for Mr. Merrick's salary, £ 51, 2 s.; for the support of the poor, £ 2, 5 s.; for fines, 15 s. ; pound, £ 2; service of bulls, £ 3, 10 s. ; contingent charges, £ 1; in all, £ 76, 2 s. The first money appropriated, be it known, and let it be borne in everlasting remembrance, was for the "Support of Schooling," an indication not to be mistaken of the value set by our fathers upon education. The sum is small, it is true, but they were poor, their harvests were scanty, their families large, and they were still struggling for the common comforts of life.

At the next meeting, January 3, 1764, a committee of five is chosen to divide the "Town into Districts for Schools;" and it is voted "that the said Committee Should Divide the Money Granted at this meeting for the use of Schooling in This Town and Proportion the same Equally to each District when Divided in method following, viz: one-half of said mOney to be Divided upon Poles and Estates and the other half to be Divided upon Children from 4 to 12 years of age." Though these districts were laid out in 1764 I find no record of their number or boundaries till 1775, when the old districts were remodelled and ten districts were formed, and the same year the tovro raised about one hundred and twenty-six dollars for schools, which would give to each district only the poor pittance of twelve dollars and sixty cents for the support of a school. The whole amount of money raised for schools to 1774, ten years from the incorporation of the town, was £ 217, an average of a little over £21 a year, or about $70. The two "School lots," which were assigned for the support of schools in the allotment of 1684, and also the share of Mr. Clark, who left the county and gave his land for the support of schools, were sold after very much difficulty and hesitation on the part of the town and of buyers. The income from this fund was added to the sum which the town raised. But one schoolhouse was buUt in town during this period. It was on the mountain, on the east side of the Ridge Road and north of the most northerly road that leads over to East Street; very near the site of the present schoolhouse in District No. 5, and was erected at the expense of that school district. There were then but two schoolhouses in the town, this and the one which stood, as early as 1754, nearly opposite the site of the present Congregational Church in the north parish. The schools were kept in the rooms of private houses, and not seldom were taught by the farmers who could read and write a little. There were three celebrated teachers, however, - Master Barker in the north part of the town, and Masters Moses and Enos Stebbins in the south part. The ' ' lesser lights ' ' of knowledge were few and dim. Dillworth's Spelling-Book and the Psalter, and later Webster's Spelling-Book and Third

Part were the books used for reading and spelling; Hodder's and Root's Arithmetic for ciphering, when any scholar ventured upon that dark art. The master only had an arithmetic and the svims were given out to the scholar and written down; he "did" them at his leisure. No slates were used till after this period; ink and paper, coal and board, nail and birch-bark were the mathematical apparatus. The knowledge communicated was very meagre, children rarely attending school after twelve years of age, if the limit in the division of the school money enables us to determine.

The ecclesiastical affairs of the town went on by no means smoothly. The south part of the town was increasing rapidly in population, both by births and immigrations, and was not disposed to aid in repairing the meeting house, or building new pews in it; and not seldom the controversies were sharp and long on these topics. Once at least as a compromise, persons were permitted to build pews at their own cost.

The method of "seating" the meeting house was productive of more and more dissatisfaction, the doings of the "seating committee" being sometimes wholly rejected, and very often, almost always, amended.

"The proverbial difficulty of managing singing, and especially singers, was felt most keenly and treated most unwisely. It is evident that the 'rising generation,' our great-grandfathers, were weary of the 'leadmg' of good Deacon Warriner, who had now, from the 'deacon's seat' under the pulpit, raised the pitch, and literally led the singing for over twenty years. The people generally felt that there was fulfilled among them the prophecy of the Prophet Amos, ' The songs of the temple shall be turned into bowlings.' Singing masters had made their way to the new town. New music came with them. The old tunes were laid aside. Strange feats of voice and limb were performed by mouth and arm when the new singers came into the seats in the gallery. The congregation cotdd not sing. The poor deacon's voice was silent. Great were the ' searcHngs of heart' among the ancients. Most tmfortunately of all, the town took the matter in hand.

the warrant for town-meeting, September 24, 1770, was ' To see whether they will come into some method or agreement for more Regular Canying on the Singing in the Public worship in this town than it is at the present time;' and the third, 'To see whether the Town will be willing to sing four Times in the Publick worship on the Sabbath for the future.' It is pretty evident that this movement originated with the new singers. They appear to be ambitious to excel in quantity as well as quality.

"There seems to have been no opposition worthy of record to choosing the committee asked for, and ten men were chosen 'to be a Com., to take into consideration the Broken state of this Town with regard to Singing in the Publick Assembly on Sabbath Days, arid to constilt together and agree upon some Plan or Method whereby to encourage & promote regular and Universal Singing in said assembly, & make report thereof to this or some future meeting.' On the 22d of October, at the adjourned meeting, the committee of ten, Nathaniel Warriner, John Bliss, Thomas Mirick, Moses Stebbins, WilUam King, Ezra Barker, Daniel Cadwell, John Jones, Eliezer Smith and Phineas Newton, make an elaborate report covering two pages of the book of records in Master Barker's best handwriting, in which a hst of twenty-three tunes, - 'called Low Dutch, Windsor, Old lOOd, New lOOd, Stroudwater, Meer, Buckland, Broomsgrove, Bangor, St. Martin's, Wairwick, St. Hellens, All- Saints, Little Marlborough, Cambridge, Portsmouth, Southwell, Quercy, Worksop, Wantage, Standish, New York and 149 Psalm Tune,' - is given, which 'shall be made use of in the Publick worship of God in this town ;' this ' List is to be transmitted to Mr. Morgan (now singing-master in this Town) in order that, he may Teach or Instruct his schollars to Sing them according to Rule.' No other tunes are to be introduced without 'consent.' 'Dea" Nath'l Warriner is to give the lead in singing on the forenoons on each Sabbath & one of the Young Men lately Instructed by Mr. Stickney (as they shall agree among themselves) give the lead in singing in the afternoon of each Sabbath for the space of three months from the Date hereof, excepting when Mr. Morgan is present, then it is expected he will carry the singing.' They also report 'that all who Assist in Singing Shall be at their pleasure either to Stand or Sit when Singing without giving Offence to any; that the singers lately Instructed by Mr. Stickney who are seated ia the Gallery of the Meeting House are at their Liberty to make a decent and orderly Exchange of Seats as They Shall agree among themselves and so to Set for the Space of Three Months from the Date hereof and no longer, or else to continue to Set as they were last Seated;' and '6 thly' and lastly, 'that whoever shall lead in the singing shall be at Liberty to Use the Motion of his hand while singing for the Space of Three Months from the Date hereof or a shorter Space as need shall require." Thus far 'the committee' 'propose to be tryed by vote.' The committee then recommend, that ' as the Beating with the hand in the Congregation when singing is offensive to some it be laid aside as quick as may be and confrae the same to the school only ; that all in the Town whose voices will admit of it speedily use proper means to get themselves acquainted with the art of Singing Ruleably & well, - ^in the mean time' they 'recommend to all both old and Young to Join in Singing in the Worshiping assembly and to sing as well as they can; and lastly,' say they, ' we cannot but recommend to ourselves & others to studdy the Things which make for peace, and the things where by we may Edify one another.'

"The town voted what the committee recommended. But it is evident that the flames were not to be quenched by any such appliances. 'Three months' grace and 'no longer 'is given to 'Beating with the hand' and occupying 'exchanged seats' if they can agree to exchange which is very doubtful. The congregation are all to ' sing, as well as they can ' it is true, but to ' Join in Singing ' at any rate. The Stickneyites in the ' Gallery' would hardly be satisfied. The compromise is like Nebuchadnezzar's image, gold in the head, but ' clay and iron ' in the legs and feet. So it turns out, as the ' three months ' are expiring, that an article is inserted in the warrant, January 7, 1771, 'to pass any votes in further addition' to those before passed 'as the Town Shall think proper by further lengthening the Time of the Present Mode of Singing.' This article came from the 'Gallery' party evidently. It is followed by another which came from the 'deacon's seat,' as evidently. Hear it: 'to make Inquiry into the conduct of those who call themselves the singers in this Town, and see wheather they have conducted or proceeded agreeable to the report of the Town's Com'", and the Town's vote thereupon at our last meeting and pass such Vote or Votes as shall be thought Necessary in consequence thereof.' Greek has now met Greek. At the meeting it is voted, 'That Dea" Nath' Warriner Shall continue to set the Psalm as Usual During the Town's Pleasure; also that Moses Warriner and Jonathan Bliss do the same.' "The 'young men' are voted down ; the ' Galleries ' are in a minority ; so it would seem. But there is abundant life in yoimg blood, and rallying their strength, ' a motion was made whether the singing should be performed in the congregation according to the late mode by Beating with the hand,' etc. ; it being put, and the House being Divided it passed in the affirmative, 25 against about 19. The 'Deacon's Seat' now loses, but does not yield; for 'a motion was made ' to Deside it by the Town List or by Lawful Voters, and after some debate it was thrown by and the following vote passed, namely, 'Voted that the Rev. Mr. Mirick be Desired to call a Society meeting in order to come into some method of Reconciliation with regard to Singing in the Publick worship.' They adjourn; and no more is recorded or known of the result. Poor Mr. Merrick had cares enough of another kind, as we shall soon see, without being dragged into this controversy about the singing. Thus ended the great struggle of the town respecting the method of ' Carrying on the Singing in the Public Worship of God.' I have dwelt upon it at greater length than the subject itself deserved, because it is a good illustration of the attempts of our ancestors to regulate minute affairs by town action. Let us learn wisdom from their mistakes."

Another and much graver difficulty called for all the wisdom and patience of the town. The conditions of the "Worthy Mr. Mirick's" settlement were of such a kind as to render it more and more difficult to fulfill them. Every year a Committee conferred with him and agreed upon the price of commodities : and then there was the use of the "Ministry land" whose income he was to have, and whose leasing and renting and care were a great annoyance. More than all, I think Mr. Merrick was as good a farmer as preacher, and that his thrift on the "Overplus Land" given to him as a settlement, was not a small occasion of delay and dislike in paying his salary. A good farm is a dangerous thing for a minister to own among farmers. His thrift is all open to view and begets envy. Mr. Merrick had a family of promising boys now entering upon manhood, some already arrived at it, and two negroes to aid in the field and one in the house, giving him an appearance of abundance and increasing riches. The town were not disposed to aid any more than they could help in "multiplying his prosperity."

the attempt to settle the salary on the prices of " Sundry Species of Commoditys," and the sum of "Fifty one Pounds Ten Shillings, lawful Money of this Province" is voted by the town and accepted by Mr. Merrick instead, and papers were exchanged between the parties, January 6, 1772. It is also agreed that the "Ministry Land" shall be sold, on condition that £ 6 be added annually to Mr. Merrick's salary, and the sale is made and bonds are given amounting to £ 348, 13 s. 5 d. or $1162.20, the interest on which is to be paid annually for the support of preaching.

Mr. Merrick's health failed in 1772, and diffictilties, in addition to all the others, of a serious nature arose about supplying the pulpit and paying his salary while he was sick. Matters came to a crisis July 14, 1775, and the town not only refused to raise Mr. Merrick's sal^y, but, after hearing read a very frank statement made by him of his sickness and offering to relinquish five pounds out of his salary for the current year in case the town shotild "Employ Some Learned Licenced Preacher for three months next ensuing" and in the "same proportion" for "every three months thereafter in case" he "should not be able to supply the pulpit before the Expiration of Said Term," and provided also that he "should be paid the remaining part" of his "salary according to" their "agreement," yet after a "Long Debate a motion was made and Seconded to Dismiss Mr. Mirick;" then "voted to Dismiss Mr. Mirick from the Gospel Ministry upon his being willing;" then "voted to adjourn to the 4th day of September next." At that meeting "Mr. Mirick's answer was read" again "and not excepted by the town." The committee of conference is enlarged and are directed to "Wait on Mr. Mirick again and see if their Grievance could not be removed." They "weighted on Mr. Mirick with two votes passed" and received the following answer: -

"To the Inhabitants of Wilbraham in Town Meeting assembled, Friends and Neighbours: Considering my bodily Infirmity and Difificulty of Supplying the Pulpit Steadily for the present, I hereby engage (provided you accept of it) to relinqttish out of my annual salary Eight Shillings per Day for as many Sabbaths as you shall be obliged to hier a preacher on account of my failing through inability. S"* Engagement to continue one year from date hereof & no longer - ^if my Life should be continued so Long.

This answer was read in "a very full Town meeting & not Excepted." They vote "to chuse another committee to draw up a List of Grievances and Lay them before Mr. Mirick & agree with him to Call in Sister Churches; then after a Long Debate," says the town clerk "there was no Committee chose." The old committee was directed "to wait on the Rev"* Mr. Mirick to Know if he will ask for and Receive an Honorable Dismission from the work of the Ministry in this town and unite with the town in Calling a Council for that purpose - further voted as the opinion of this town that a Minister has no Right to any Salery or maintenance as a Minister any Longer than he performs the work of a Minister." The clerk adds, "N. B. the above votes past by a very grate majority then the meeting disolved."

For the next two years the same subject came up at several town meetings, at one of which, March 28, 1776 "Voted and Dismist the Rev"* Mr. Mirick from the work of the Ministry in this town." At a meeting held about two months later. May 20, 1776, the vote to dismiss Mr. Merrick was Reconsidered made nul and void."

"There is yet hope of a safe and honorable deliverance. They wait therefore, with worthy solicitude, the action of the meeting, Jvily 2'^- A new committee of five persons is chosen to "wait on the Rev^ Mr. Merrick and ask what his demands are on the town;' and it appears that his reply was, 'What the town owes me' for they put themselves right in the case by further voting all Mr. Merrick's ' Sallary to the 28 Day of Last June that has not been granted heretofore.'