Wilbraham Town (part 4 of 8)

April 12, 1819, "Com. chosen to confer with the other deties in this Parish respecting the loan Money & other ievances." On February 8, 1825, "Voted that Moses Burt an agent to confer with an agent chosen by the South Parish s"* town to recover the bonds belonging to s"* Parish out of e hands of the town, also to recover the interest due on s* nds out of the hands of the com. chosen to receive the same." have learned from the Records of the Supreme Court of impden County, that The North Parish brought a suit against e town of Wilbraham to recover $30.00 interest money, dmed to be due the parish, on the 4th Monday of November 25, in the Court of Common Pleas. Judgment was given in ror of the town, apparently for the purpose of having the estion go to the Supreme Court for a final decision. The total mage claimed at first was $160.00, which was probably for ;er^t due. The case was appealed and came before the preme Court the second Tuesday in May, 1826. Both

"The committee reported in 1773, that they had sold them, with a statement of the securities received, which report was accepted in town meeting. On Jxme 24, 1782, the town was divided into two parishes. North & South. The Act of division provided that each parish should enjoy an equal part of all moneys for the use of the ministry ....

"At the time of the division there was in the town treasury a sum equal to $833 and one third of a dollar .... In 1789, the town voted that the committee having charge of the securities should annually pay to the ministers of the parishes, each one half of the interest. That for twenty years previous to 1824, the interest, 125.00 each year was paid, except when there was no settled minister in the North Parish, then it was paid to the Parish Treasurer. In 1824, the Town voted that the interest should be paid to the several religious societies, according to the proportion of the town tax which their members pay. There are other religious sodties not members of either parish. In 1825, a committee of the parish demanded of the town their portion of the interest due, but it was not paid . . . . It is therefore Considered by the Court that the said Inhabitants of the North Parish in Wilbraham do recover against the said Inhabitants of Wilbraham the stmi of Twenty six Dollars & seventy five cents Damages & Costs of suit taxed at fifty one Dollars & ninety five cents - Excu. I' (Execution Issued) Dec. 5"" 1826."

About two weeks after this execution was issued, or on December 18, 1826, the parish chose "W"" Clark, Ebenezer R. Warner and Doc' Luther Brewer a Com to receive the bonds and to receipt to the town for the same, also to receive the interest on said bonds on the P' of Jan. next and pay it into the Parish treasury." On November 12, 1827, "Moses Buft, W" Clark and Aaron Woodward were chosen a Com. to change the bonds of the Parish into the name of the Parish and to take due care of and collect the interest on the same."

In 1837, it was "Voted that the Bonds of the Parish be placed in the hands of the Treasurer of the Parish." It appears from this record of the Court, that the lawsuit was not an attempt of the town to get the "Minister Money" away from the parishes, but an effort of the parishes to get the securities for the fund into their own possession, and also to settle the question as to whom the ftmd belonged. For we learn from the vote of the town in 1824, that the voters had determined that the interest of the fund should be divided among the several religious societies, then in the town, and only a decision of the Supreme Court could permanently settle the question. The fund remains in the possession of the two parishes to this day. The parish paid to different persons a total of $69.35 for the expenses of the lawsuit, in connection with the transfer of those bonds. In 1829, the parish treasurer charges himself, "By Interest on Parish Loan $45.00."

About 1855 and 1865 there were two legacies given to the parish of fifty dollars each, so that the sum now is $950.82. In 1868, the parish purchased their present parsonage, and as those notes were paid, the money was used towards paying for the same, and a note was given by the parish committee to the "Parish Loan Committee" for the total amount, and the interest is paid annually by the parish. The first entry that I have found from this investment is, "Mar. ll"", 1872, Re<^^ interest on Parish Loan $38.05 " which sum is increased in 1876 to $54.05 and remains the same at the present time.

At the annual meeting of the parish in 1890, it was voted, "that the Parsonage shall be named the Deacon Warriner Parsonage, in honor of the first donor of money to the Parish." And so, one hundred and ten years after his death the memory of the good Deacon's act is perpetuated by a sxdtable memorial.

Probably the South Parish, (now the First Congregational Society of Hampden) received the first two sums, the same as the North Parish, and of the same amoimt.

During the 35 years that the church record was kept by the first minister. Rev. Noah Merrick, about 60 persons are recorded as having made public confession of their sin in breaking a certain commandment, and were accepted, and had their children baptized. Several persons made public confession of "y* sin of stealing, of intemperate drinking, of evil speaking, and of a brea'''' of y* Sabbath, and aU were accepted."

On "Oct. 15, 1775, Hannah, wife of Justin Stebbins, Br' Letter from y' C'''' in Palmer and admitted into C^." One week later appears this entry: "Ocf 22, 1775. upon some witness discovered by several of y* Ch"", with regard to y^ above vote, relative to y" S"* Hannah Stebbins, upon reconsideration it was unanimously Disanulled, it appearing y' she had a child bom in 7 months & five days, after marriage."

On "April 26, 1785, At the house of Levi Bliss, the Rev. Mr. Baldwin Preached a sermon, at which time, Gaius, Gordon, Levi, Leonard, Patty, Catharine, Lucrecia and Asehath, children of the said Levi ; each of them were baptized at the desire of the said Levi's wife." Eight children in all. Fourteen years and three days later, or on April 29, 1799, three of those children, Gordon, Leonard and Asenath, were among those drowned in Nine Mile Pond. The house where Levi Bliss lived is still standing on the west side of our Main Street, about half a mile south of the B. & A. R. R. Station, and is now owned by William V. Patch. I will now copy part of one of the trivial questions which came before the church for consideration.

"Sunday, March 15, 1778, afternoon - Dea. Nathaniel Warriner desired the church to make a short stop after the exercise was over; The church complyed therewith. At which time Dea" Warriner informed the chtirch that a complaint by the Wid" Mary Mirick against Doc' Samuel Fisk Mirick (then standing propounded for church membership) was lodged in his hands, to be communicated to the church. The motion was made and the complaint was read, which is as foUoweth. Vis. "To the Church of Christ in Wilbraham. The subscriber who am a member of said church sendeth greeting. Beloved; Whereas Doc' Sam' F. Mirrick stands propounded in order to be admitted a member of said chtirch. This is to inform that in my hiunble opinion, the said Doc' Mirick, cannot be received into church fellowship, under his present circtmistances, consistent with the honour of religion and the dignity of Christ's church. He having disqualified himself by his saying, on a certain day last simuner, at my house; that a certain note that he had against me, was found at the bottom of the chest, and at another time, on the same day, said that the said note was found among loose papers; a few days after which, at the house then occupied by William King Junr. ; he, the said Mirrick, wholly denyed that he said so, but said, that if he said so, he told an absolute lie, and then added and said, that the said note was found on file and amongst his Father's other notes. All which appears to me to be so inconsistent with real truth that it amounts to a degree of falsehood and a censurable violation of the Ninth Commandment, and contrary to Zachariah 8"* Chap. & IG"" verse, and although endeavors have been used, in order to reclaim him and bring him to repentance, agreable to Matthew IS"" Chap. 15"" & 16"^ verses, he continues obstinately to refuse to receive conviction, and be released from his fault. And now Beloved Bretheren I must intreat you to defer the receiving the said Mirick into our communion, 'till he is reclaimed from his sin and that you would proceed to such measures as the Gospel directs in order to effect the same.

Mary X Mirrick

"The question was put whether the church would act or do anything in consequence of the beforegoing complaint. It was voted in the afifinnative. Then it was proposed that some future time and some weekday should be agreed upon for further prosecution. Accordingly it was unanimously agreed and voted that Thursday, the 26"" day of this instant, March, at one of the clock in the afternoon, should be the time for hearing party and party, and to agree and pass such other votes as the matter should then require. The church then dispersed."

The meeting was held, "the Complaint was red, and Doctor Mirick Denys his being guilty of the Charge - The witnesses were called & Sworn. Viz. Mr. Ezra Barker and Mr. Jonathan Mirick to Prove the charge, Mrs. Mirick, and Mr. Chiliab Mirick in opposition. The case being opened and Pleas made on either side, and the C'"'' Having Considered the matter Maturely, the question was Put, whether the afore^"* Complaint, Exhibited against Doc' Mirick, was supported, it passed in the Negative, the C"*" meeting was Disolved. 'Test, Moses Stebbins Clerk

What silly proceedings, making a police court of the church. At the meeting held "Lord's Day, July 26, 1778, Doct Sam" Fisk Mirick was Rec"* a member in fiill Communion with this

Dr. Merrick was quite a prominent man in those days. He was surgeon in Colonel Porter's regiment which marched in 1776, to reinforce the Northern Army. He made the address, in the meeting house, in 1831, at the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the settlement of our town. In his later years he became hard of hearing, and I have been told, by those who knew him, that on Sundays he used to sit on the steps leading up into the pulpit, and if the preacher said anything with which he did not agree, he would say, "Don't believe it, don't believe it."

The society has had four different meeting houses. The first was used on Wigwam Hill for about 46 years, 1748, to 1794, when it was moved down to the site of the present church, where it continued to be used for about 64 years longer, or until the spring of 1857, when, after a service of 110 years, it was moved a little way to the northeast, to the ground where the livery stable now is, and was converted into a bam, and a new meeting house erected.

I attended services in the original one for a few years, and there are a few others here who attended there for a longer period. There was a gallery on three sides of the house. One of these, on the west end, was reserved for the singers and the players upon instruments. That on the north side was occupied by the boys, and I was seated with them. The other, on the south side, may have been used by the girls. I am. not very' clear in my recollection about that. The pulpit was at the east end of the building and there were two aisles between the pews. The outer tier of pews joined onto the sides of the house.

A committee was frequently chosen to assign a seat to each person, or family, and questions of precedence were most careftilly discussed by them. But their arrangement of the seatings was hardly ever satisfactory to everyone. On one occasion a woman, who had come to mature years and had never married, felt that she had not been assigned a seat in accordance with her importance, and she never occupied it, but carried a chair to the meeting house, on Sabbath days, and sat in the aisle near the pew where she felt she belonged. I have heard Dr. Kibbe and his wife tell that story, and laugh over it, more than once, but I do not remember her name.

The second meeting house was erected in 1857, and served its useful purpose for only 20 years. The basement was finished, and used for evening meetings and social gatherings. On the afternoon of Sunday, June 24th, 1877, the 136th anniversary of the founding of the church, a four or five-years old boy, restless and unwatched, wandered around the building, and finding a basement window open, crept in and looked around. In a stove he found a quantity of loose papers, and perhaps he added other material. Climbing up to the top of a cupboard, he found the tin pail in which the matches were carefully kept. He set the papers on fire. The stove had not been in use for some time and was not connected by a pipe with the chinmey, and soon clouds of smoke were pouring out of the windows. The pastor. Rev.

M. S. Howard, from the parsonage window across the street, saw the smoke, and rushing- over to the meeting house, rang with all his might the dreaded and dreadful fire alarm, continuing at the task while the swift flame moimted up into the belfry and threatened to throw the steeple down upon him. So the "First Sabbath bell of the mountains," which had so often tolled the knell of others, passing on their way to the place appointed for all the living, as its last service, rang out the tidings of«its own doom. When the evening shadows gathered, the meeting house, also the one which had been converted into a bam, and four dwelling houses, standing northerly of the meeting house, with their out-buildings, were smoking heaps of ruins. A bam on the lot where the soldiers' monument now is, was torn down to prevent the fire spreading further. A fire engine came from Springfield, but could do nothing. So, both of the buildings which had served as meeting houses for this society, perished on the same day. The first had weathered the winds of 130 winters, the second had stood but 20 years.

The third meeting house was commenced immediately, and the chapel part was ready for use late in the autumn, and the building was dedicated June 26, 1878, and, as an evidence of the zeal and enthusiasm of the members of the parish, I will mention that they made the steeple ten feet higher than it was on the old one. It was a beautiful and commodious building and all of the rooms were on the same floor, and it served its noble purpose for 34 years, until that dreadful 5th day of July, 1911, when, about the middle of the afternoon, in the midst of a most terrific wind and electric storm, the fire came down from the lightning-charged clouds, and seized first upon the topmost part of the slender spire, which had been for so many years an impressive land-mark from many miles around. And from that high point, the fire, working at first slowly but surely downward, soon enveloped the entire building and, before evening, only a few charred and blackened timbers and twisted iron rods remained of the meeting house which all of us had loved. The outlook for a new building, in view of the prevailing high prices, was not very favorable at first. But the members of the society were not discouraged, and entering upon the task with some such energy and zeal as had characterized the fathers, subscriptions for about $9,000 were secured, which, with about $8,000 derived from the insurance and interest on the same, was sufficient to erect a new meeting house at a total cost of about $17,000, which was dedicated Sunday, May 11th, 1913, with all bills paid. And again the members of the old First Parish have a chtirch home of their own. By the kindness of the Methodist society, union services have been held in their church for the past two years, which it is expected will be continued, a part of the time in each church. On May 25, 1817, twenty-seven children were baptized at one service, by a visiting pastor. Rev. Mr. Colton of Palmer. Nine families were represented; only one of them now residing in town, as follows: "Lorin, Sarah, Ann, & Lucinda, children of Roswell Phelps were baptised."

On April, 29th 1799, occurred the sad tragedy of Nine Mile Pond, when five of the young people of Wilbraham, and a Mr. Guy Johnson of Tolland, Conn., were drowned there, by the overturning of a boat in which they were sailing. The house where they were having the "Merry Making," is still standing on the west side of our Main Street, about half a mile south of the B. & A. R. R. Station, and is now owned by William V. Patch. The land, on which the house stands, is probably part of the ministry lot in the second division, for on June 8, 1772, Levi Bliss purchased the entire width of the ministry lot from the "principal road in said Wilbraham westward to the inward commons." The width was 37 rods and 4 feet, and the lot contained about 161 acres. I have found the deed recorded with the Registry of Deeds in Springfield. Levi Bliss was father of three of the young people who were drowned.

The story is well told by copying, in part, the account written at the time and published, with three of the funeral sermons, in a small voluHie, "Printed at Springfield" in 1799. The title page of this Volume is as follows :

By Rev. Mr. Witter

"In a circle of young ladies assembled for the purpose of spending the afternoon of the 29th of April 1799. at the house of Mr Levi Bliss in Wilbraham, a proposition was made and agreed to by some of the company to form a sailing party on a pond at a little distance. After tea they repaired to the pond, some on foot, by a short route, and some on horseback. Mr Gordon Bliss, Miss Asenath Bliss, Miss Nabby Merrick and Miss Mary Warriner, who walked, and Mr Leonard Bliss who rode before the others, reached the pond first. When the young ladies on horseback, who kept the road and who were accidentally delayed a little on the way, arrived at the pond they discovered their companions above mentioned, and a Mr Guy Johnson, already in the boat, under full sail. They retired to a house a few rods distant, where they witnessed the distressing scene that followed. The wind was high and flawy. The boat had not proceeded far before it was careened down by a strong gust so as probably to dip water. The young ladies immediately sprang to the upper side of the boat. As the wind slackened, the boat righted, and stood with rapidity, across the pond. When within a little distance of a point of land projecting from the opposite shore, it came within the influence of a strong current of wind which, when high and blowing in the direction it then did, necessarily passes, from the situation of the adjacent lands, with considerable violence over that region of the pond.

"Whether attempting to heave about, to tack in order to avoid the point, or in a direct course is uncertain; but the boat immediately caught the gale, leisurely overset, filled and sank. The distance, the foaming of the water, and more partictdarly the terror and consternation of the young ladies in the house, prevented their observing with accuracy the remaining part of the distressing scene. They well remember, however, to have seen a part, at least, of their companions floating for some time on the water. Theynoticed particularly the red skirts and white bonnets of one or two of the young ladies. But whether they sank and rose again, and how often, they cannot with certainty determine.

"The woman of the house, less affrighted than her agitated guests, encouraged them for some time, with the undoubted prospect, as the gentlemen were swimmers and they appeared to be nigh the shore, of their getting safe to land. They soon, however, lost all hope of their escape - ^for, to their inexpressible astonishment, they perceived them beginning to

"They were overset about 6 o'clock. There was no help at hand, the place where they were was difficult of access, on account of swamps and brush, and there being no boat short of an adjacent pond. In consequence of these and other impediments, the bodies all lay in the water till nearly 8 o'clock, when Mr. Leonard Bliss and Mr Johnson were taken out, and a short time after Miss Warriner. But with all the remedies resorted to under existing disadvantageous circumstances, no signs of retiutiing life appeared. In the morning of the next day, Mr. Gordon Bliss and Miss Asenath Bliss were found. Constant search was made for Miss Merrick. On the second day of May the five above mentioned were interred. The most unwearied exertions continued to be made for a number of days by a large body of men, with a variety of instruments. Their uncommon and persevering engagedness urged them to the herculean labor of draining the pond of its vast quantity of water; but all in vain. At length, on the morning of the IS"" of May, when all attempts to recover her were in a great measure given over as fruitless, the body was discovered by travelers, drifting before a gentle breeze toward the shore where it had a short time before taken its fatal departure. The body was entire, but had become very tender, none of the features of the face were retained, and soon after exposure to the air it became bloated and discolored. It was interred the morning after.

"The depth of water where the boat went down was more than 20 feet, and the distance from shore about six or seven rods. Why three swimmers, and two of them good ones, should not only suffer the three young ladies to drown, but likewise to drown themselves so nigh land, has been a subject of various conjecttu-e. It has been thought probable, by some, that one or two, at least, of the gentlemen were impeded in their exertions, by attempts to save the ladies, and some circumstances seem to favor the supposition, but no decided evidence of it was discovered. Mr. Johnson belonged in Tolland, Conn., the others were all of the North society ia Wilbraham. Three of them were children of Mr. Levi Bliss, and were buried in one grave; one of them a daughter of Dr. Samuel F. Merrick, and the other a daughter of the Widow Mary Warriner. The young men were between 20 and 30 and the yoimg ladies between 15 and 16 years of age. Man also knoweth not his time; as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them."

So runs the story of the great tragedy of Wilbraham. All the surrounding towns sent help to assist in recovering the body of Abigail Merrick of whom it was said "The Lord hath given her burial ; let be. " A ditch was cut through the open fields, leading off to the west, which must have lowered the water at least one foot, and still remains as an outlet to the pond. The water now flows into the Chicopee, instead of the Connecticut River. A heavy cannon was drawn from Springfield with the hope that the concussion caused by firing it might bring the body to the surface. The shadows of mid-afternoon were lengthening across the fields, when the lolling dust-covered oxen dragged the heavy cannon on to an elevation west of the pond, and its mighty voice called again and again across the dark waters for the dead to arise. The long reverberations, rolling far away to the southward, sounded to the listening dwellers along the mountain side, like the tolling of some monster funeral bell, for the buried of the Lord. But the sleeper heeded not, nor heard the call and undisturbed slept on. The waters were not yet willing to give up their secret. The excitement wore itself away in the general conviction that Abigail Merrick had found her final sepulcher. On the morning of the sixteenth day after the accident, two travelers passing along the old Bay Road, saw something floating out in the center of the pond. A gentle south wind was wafting it slowly shoreward, and the long-hidden body was soon brought, by willing hands, safely to land, and is now laid side by side with much kindred dust.

To add to the woe of this God-fearing people, their pastor was absent, and the fimeral services for the five were conducted by Rev. Charles Backus of Somers, Conn. Rev. Mr. Witter, the pastor, preached two memorial sermons the following' Sunday, May 12. Sickness prevented his being with Dr. Merrick's family when Miss Merrick was recovered from the water, and her funeral was conducted by a Rev. Mr. Vermilyes the morning of May 16. This event made such a profound impression throughout this region, that the boat was placed on a wagon, draped in black, and taken through many of the towns of the Connecticut valley.

If you will search among the headstones near the center of the old Adams burial ground, you may there read on the mossgrown lettered stones, this same story.

"In memory of three unfortinate Children of Mr Levi and Mrs Martha Bliss. Viz Gordon aged 28 Leonard 22 Asenath 16 years who were drowned in nine mile pond in this town April 29. A. D. 1799. Pleasant they lived, nor did their pleasure cloy ; Each day presented some new scene of joy. By nature near, nearer by love allyd. No chance could part them nor stem death devide. Together they their hapless fate bemoaned. Together languished and together groaned: Together too, the unbodied spirits fled. And sought the unknown regions of the dead." ,

About 1870, I discovered a copy of the following "Ode," in an album once owned by Esther M. Isham and probably copied into it about 1850. About 1860, I saw another copy, which I think is the same, then in the possession of Gilbert S. Atchinson.

An Ode

Hark ! hear the tidings, WUbraham in mourning. Girded in sackcloth, and her cries ascending; Fathers and mothers weeping for their children. Deep in the billows.

Six youthful persons, for their own diversion. See them a-hastening to a pond for sailing ; As soon embarked, see them plunged headlong ; Sight how affecting.

Oh the distraction of the few beholders. Just now a-pleading for a passage with them, Now hear them screaming, running, crying, Cannot relieve them.

Now see them sinking, rising, floating; Death seizes on them, tender life is jdelding; Now see them sinking watery tombs receive them; Rising no more.

Now tidings spread, now clothes the street in mourning ; See horses running, men and women flying; Each heart is pained and the ground bedewed With flowing tears.

Oh the distraction of the tender parents ! See them advancing, overwhelmed in sorrow; Read in their faces anguish in their bosoms, Pleading within them.

See them in anguish walking the mournful shore. Looking and wishing, had they arms to reach them. Willing to plunge the watery mansions for them. Prudence refuses.

Now grief within them struggles for a passage ; Crys out in anguish, Jesus send thine angels With some refreshing waters from the fountain, Or we shall perish.

While some are mourning others are a-sounding. Searching the bottom for the drowned bodies; Deep from the watery tombs they quickly raise them. One still remains.

Now on the mournful shore the corpses are lying, Just now aU action, little thinking danger. Now hearing judgment from the great Redeemer, Not to be altered.

Oh see the parents bending o'er the bodies; See tender mothers wipe their drowned faces. Oh say. Spectators, did you read the anguish Wrote in their faces?

Are these oiir children? Oh how cold and lifeless. Death, dust and ashes, cold as clay their faces. Mothers sit in silence, sleep in death's embraces But still our passions.

Wisdom hath mingled this cup of trembling; May we not mtirmur, but with patience drink it; Parents of heaven, while we wade the billows, Hold us from sinking.

Just are Thy dealings, Thy decrees eternal. Let not sinful mortals question wisdom; Never wish to turn a leaf of heaven's secrets, Waiting contented.

Graves are prepared and the day appointed, Thousands attend the solemn day of mourning, While from the desk a solemn warning given, Each heart is bleeding.

Once more behold the poor, distressed mourners; See them approaching near the breathless bodies; Read in their faces the tender ties of parents, Mingling their sorrows.

See them advancing to the silent mansions. In solemn order see the string of coffins Borne up by bearers and a train of mourners Following in tears.

Farewell our children, till the great archangel Shakes the creation with the trump of heaven. Then hope to meet your children, joined with saints and angels, Hail the Redeemer.

Behold God shake His awful hand Over the town of Wilbraham. And there He let stem Justice fly And winged Vengeance from on high. He makes ye mortals for to know Where He commands His wrath shall go ; And may ye tremble at that day When He did snatch your friends away.

That day the sun in splendor rose To wake each sold from its repose. It was in April ninety-nine, These few young maidens did combine. A visit they had planned to make And for that end their way did take To Mr Bliss's in the street Where they in harmony did meet. And being young they sought to speed Not knowing what God had decreed. A sailing voyage they did propose And there each one their party chose. Now Mr Gordon Bliss made one, With him Miss Nabby Merrick run. And Miss Asenath Bliss made three, With her Miss Warriner did agree.

These four, they ran with hasty speed, While Leonard Bliss before did ride. And these across the lots set out While others went another route. How swift and dreadful was their flight From Mr Bliss's out of sight : At length they came unto the shore And viewed their pleasure as before.

These their companions did outrun. At length unto the boat they Came And they with Johnson leaped in And hoisted sail up to the wind. With fresh delight and pleasant breeze They ran across their little seas. And in attempting to turn 'round A gale of wind did cast them down.

Oh solemn, solemn, solemn scenes ! To hear their screeches and their screams While sinking down beneath the waves And drinking death in gasping graves ! Oh, Lord, how must those creatures feel When their dear souls began to reel, And their companions on the shore, To see them sink to rise no more?

Not more than six yards from the shore On the next day they fotind two more. From neighboring towns vast numbers met The sorrowing mourners for to greet And take a final, last survey Of the pale lumps of lifeless clay. Now there is one was left behind. Miss Nabby Merrick was confined.

On January 10th, 1871, the State of Massachusetts leased the pond to Mr. B. F. Bowles of Springfield for ten years. He put about 50 black bass, of small size, in the pond. The lease became void. On March 1st, 1877, the town took a lease for 15 years, and at the next town meeting appropriated $150 for stocking the pond with new fish, and elected a committee to attend to the business. On May 5, 1877, about 6000 landlocked salmon fry were procured from the State Commissioners and placed in the pond, and in October of the same year, 27 black bass, of an average weight of one and one-half pounds

The total expense was $118.40. All fishing in the pond was prohibited for four years, and then only allowed to residents of the town who had procured a permit from the Fish Commissioners of the town. In 1881, fishing was permitted on Thursday of each week from July Lst, to November 1st. One hundred and four permits were issued. Each permit included the family of the holder, and about two-thirds of those who received a permit made a return of the number of potmds of fish caught, with the following result.

Some very large black bass, weighing from five to twelve pounds, were caught in 1881 and 1882. I do not know that any land-locked salmon were ever caught there. After a few years the lease was abandoned.

In the year 1894, The Springfield Bicycle Club erected a club house on the east side of the pond. The name of the club was afterwards changed to Manchonis Club. And so the original name of the pond, "Manchonis Pond," is preserved.

In recent years some ten or fifteen bimgalows, or summer houses, have been erected on the westerly side of the pond, and on the northerly side of the peninsula which juts out from the east side of the pond, near its center, making quite a change in its general appearance.

The Marcus Lyon Murder

None of the principals in the affair were residents of this town, but the crime was committed here, on the old Bay Road, about one-third of a mile east of the present Railroad Station.

The two men who committed the murder were traveling from Boston to New York. " They lodged in Western (now Warren) on the night of November 8th. On the forenoon of the next day they called at a Store in Palmer, near the meeting house, and took some spirit in a canister; about two miles from this towards Wilbraham they soon called at a Tavern and drank." (There was a tavern across the road from the "Washington Elm.") These two men were seen traveling with great speed towards Springfield, and' when they arrived there, "they directed their course to the lower ferry. . . . They called for some hasty refreshment at a tavern in the upper part of Suffield, and then pushed on to Picket's tavern in Windsor, where they remained over night. On Sunday morning they started early and had breakfast in Hartford. On Tuesday morning they were in Greenwich, and at Cross-Cob harbor, where they had bespoke a passage to New York, by water, to sail shortly. While they were there the pursuers came up and arrested them. . . . They were from Tuesday until Saturday on their way from Boston to Wilbraham, a distance of about 80 miles. And from the afternoon of Saturday to the forenoon of Tuesday, when they were, arrested, they had travelled about 130 miles. . . . (or) at the rate of nearly 50 miles a day. . . . April 24, 1806, in the morning, the trial commenced in the meetinghouse, in Northampton, which was insufficient to hold the crowd collected from various quarters." A preliminary hearing of the case was held in the "Town House" at Springfield on the Friday after they were arrested, where they were ordered to be committed for trial before a regular session of the Court. I have gathered the above items from a long account of the affair, published by Ezekiel Terry about 1810.

The men who found the body of the murdered man in the river, were M. K. Bartlett and P. Bliss. It was found "about 9 o clock in the evening of Sunday Nov. lO"" 1805, and was conveyed in a waggon to the Stage house, occupied by Asa Calkins."

I have written the following at the earnest request of the relatives of the deceased. Please to give it a place in your paper, and you will gratify the public, and discharge a duty which humanity imposes.

"Mr. Marcus Lyon, a young man of peculiar respectability, about 23 years of age, left his friends in Woodstock, Conn., last March, and went to Cazenovia, N. Y., and labored through the season. As he was on his return to his native place, -mounted on an excellent horse, he was attacked by two merciless ruffians in Wilbraham, on the Springfield turnpike road, between the gate and Sikes tavern, on the 9"" inst, about 2 o'clock P. M., and there murdered in the most barbarous manner. The circumstances attending the awful scene are almost too shocking to humanity to relate. It is supposed from the best circumstantial evidence, that the unfortunate young gentleman was first shot with a pistol; but the assassins, perceiving the wound not fatal (as the ball was afterwards found on the outside of his ribs) fell upon him like bloodhounds, and with a club and breech of the pistol mangled and lacerated his head in a most savage, and barbarous manner. The upper part of his head over the cerebrum, and also over his left eye, was indented with wounds, evidently made with the cock of the pistol, and the back part, against the cerebellum, was all mashed to a pulp. They beat hina till the guard of the pistol flew off and the ramrod was knocked out, which were afterwards found lying on the fatal spot. Having thus far gratified their infernal disposition, they robbed him of his pocket-book (how much money it contained we are not able to inform), then threw him over the wall, dragged him a few rods to Chicopee river, and there deposited him, and placed large fiat stones upon his head to prevent his rising. Without delay they next conveyed the horse through a small piece of wood to a sequestered enclosure, and then turned him loose, with saddle, saddle-bags and bridle on, and then went on. Soon after the horse was found and taken up; the neighbors conjectured he had by accident gotten away from some place where his rider had hitched him, and supposed that inquiry would soon be made for him, it being Saturday in the afternoon. They waited till Sunday morning but, alas ! no rider appeared ! The alarm spread. The woods, fields, and every bye comer were searched, and at ^ening they found the corpse close by the edge of the river, with all his clothes on, mittens on his hands, and his great coat wrapped about his head,- with a large stone pressing him to the bottom. The pistol was found on the brink, broken to pieces. The young man's hat, new and unharmed was discovered under a small bridge, near the spot. The corpse was conveyed to a neighboring house, and the inhabitants paid that peculiar attention which sympathy alone can dictate and gratitude reward. The remains were conveyed to Woodstock on Tuesday, and the funeral attended on Wednesday, when the Rev. Abiel Ledoyt addressed the assembly from Mark 13. 33: The grief of the mourners, the numbers convened, and the tears that profusely flowed,' presented a scene which we conclude has never had a parallel in these our inland towns. The villains who perpetrated the awful crime are supposed to be two foreigners in sailors dress, who were seen that day by a number of people maldng their way towards Springfield. One particular circumstance tends much to strengthen the suspicion. A lad, about 13 years of age, being sent after some hogs in the woods, near the place of the murder, happened to come out into the road, within two or three rods of two men in sailor habit. He declared under oath before the jury of inquest, that before he got out of sight of them, he saw one mount the same horse which was afterwards found, and ride him up the hill into the woods, while the other stood with a new cudgel in his hand leaning upon the wall. The same persons, according to the description, were soon after observed travelling in great haste towards Springfield. We are happy to learn that his excellency Governor Strong issued a proclamation oflfering a reward of five hundred dollars for the detection of the villains, and that the high Sheriff of Hampshire County greatly inter- ested himself in taking measures to detect them, which we learn have proved effectual, and the murderers are both committed to gaol in Northampton."

"On Thursday last, pursuant to their sentence, Dominick Daley and James Halligan were executed at Northampton. At half past 10 o'clock they were conducted to the meeting house, by the high sheriff and his deputies, with a guard, composed of a company of artillery and a detatchment of militia. An appropriate and eloquent discourse was there delivered to a very crowded auditory by the Rev. Mr. Cheverus, of Boston, from 1 John 3 : 15. 'Whoever hateth his brother is a murderer.' After the sermon the criminals were constantly attended by Mr Cheverus, with whom, during the greater part of the time, they appeared to be engaged in prayer. At 3 o'clock, sentence was executed by Major General Mattoon, sheriff of the county. Notwithstanding their protestations of innocence, in which they persisted to the last, it is believed that of the 15,000 supposed to be present, scarcely one had a doubt of their guilt. Daley and Halligan were natives of Ireland. Daley was about 34 years of age, and has been in this country two years ; He has left a wife, a mother and a brother in Boston. Halligan was about 27 years of age; and we believe has no connections in this country, in which he has resided for four years."

This ;sad affair resulted in producing a long and realistic ballad, of which many knew a verse, and no one seemed to know it all. Miss E. O. Beebe has procured the following version of the quaint old rhyme.

Marcus Lyon Ballad

He see them lead his horse away; The horse was found on the same day. Then constant search was made around; No owner for the horse was found.

The stone slipped off, there did arise A bloody corpse before their eyes. Oh! what a scene: oh, what a sight. For to behold there in the night.

Four rods from where they murdered him They threw his body in the stream. One hand was on his bruised head; 'Twas thought 'twas there by him layed.

His friends then after him they went, Their hearts being filled with discontent. Those of his age some miles did go. His corpse to meet, respect to show.

On Wednesday was his funeral, Hard-hearted were those that could not feel Such bitter mourning never was Viewing the corpse and then the cause.

Ezekiel Terry, from whose account of this sad tragedy I have copied part of the foregoing account, was a printer, perhaps part of the time in Wilbraham.

I have been loaned a bound book, consisting mostly of a collection of orations delivered in this vicinity by different persons, and sometimes printed by different firms, which were collected and bound in one book by Ezekiel Terry. He lived for a time on the Old Bay Road, near the line between Palmer and Wilbraham, either in the last house in Wilbraham, or the first one in Palmer.

About 1805, he had printed a book on "Restoration," which was not in accord with the belief of the church. Several meetings were held to consider the matter, and on March 8th, 1806, the Church "Voted unamously to send Ezeakel terry a letter withdrawing the hand of fellowship with our watch and care from him as a brother in the Ch'' with us." They evidently thought differently about it in a short time, for, on January 10, 1807, the record reads; - "in the first place heard Brother Ezikel terry Exknodgement and Voted to receive him again into our fellowship as a member."

Ezekiel Terry was also a clergyman. For, in a list of ministers in Wilbraham, printed in "The Massachusetts Register for the year 1814," I find his name as the Baptist minister.

He died in 1829, and on his headstone in the Deacon Adams Cemetery, the name reads "Rev"* Ezekiel Terry." His daughter, Mary, was the second wife of James C. Pease, and

Society Organized In Wilbraham

In 1791, the Methodist preachers on Hartford circuit visited the South Parish, once in two weeks and held meetings, first, in Abner Chapin's kitchen, then in the schoolhouse. Some time in that year Charles Brewer heard one of them, Menzies Raynor, preach. He was deeply interested, and invited him to visit the North Parish and preach there. He consented to do so the next time he came round the circuit, on condition that Mr. Brewer and others would protect him and his colleague, Lemuel Smith, in case any violence should be offered them. Two weeks later, Lemuel Smith preached the first Methodist sermon in the North Parish. On August 29th, 1791, the first Parish "Voted that the Meeting House be moved on Charles Brewers lot the first day of May next." Three weeks later, or on September 12th, 1791, "Voted to rescind the vote about setting the Meeting House on Charles Brewers lot." The action of the parish in voting not to move the Meeting House onto his lot was very grievous to Mr. Brewer, and on December 28, 1792, he and twelve" others withdrew from the first parish, and probably commenced the formation of the Methodist Society, and soon begun the erection of the first methodist meeting house on the same ground where the building is now standing.

"Know all men by these presents that I, Charles Brewer of Wilbraham in the County of Hampshire, Joiner for and in consideration of one pepper com paid me yearly and every year by the Methodist Society in Wilbraham so called have and by these presents do demise Lease & to farm ( ?) let unto Abel Bliss of said Wilbraham, yeoman Agent for and in behalf of said

First Methodist Meeting House

Society for and during the continuance of said Society in said place the land hereafter mentioned and described lying and being in s"* Wilbraham and on the east side of the public road s"* land being part of said Charles's home lot and whereon the meeting house stands."

One of the interesting things in this lease, is the insignificance of the consideration to be paid annually by the Society. "One pepper com."

In Bishop Asbury's Journal, under the date of Sunday, August 17th, 1794, there is the following entry. "I came to the new chapel at Wilbraham, forty by thirty-four feet, neatly designed .... I preached to about fotu- hundred people ....

"The 'Standing Order' have moved their house into the street not far from ours." There is much more in the journal, but I have only quoted what seemed to be of some historical importance. Charles Brewer died in 1836. The inscription on his monument, in the Woodland Dell Cemetery reads, "Mr Charles Brewer was the first person who introduced Methodism into this parish, and his house was made the home of Methodism and Methodist Preachers, and a place for preaching for the two years following."

He was the first child to be baptized in the meeting house on Wigwam Hill, December 28, 1748. It is a strange coincidence that the first child baptized in the meeting house of the "standing order," should, about forty-five years later, be the first person to introduce another denomination. He lived on the west side of our Main Street, about 14 rods north of Springfield Street and kept an Inn there. The sign that hung in front of his place, and which was painted in 1810, is still in existence, and is displayed there this anniversary day. The house in which he lived, was taken down in 1893, and a new one erected, which has since been my home.

On the 24th of September, 1794, the New England M. E. Conference, consisting then of about a dozen members, convened in the new chapel. The conference, though small, had mighty men in its ranks. Jesse Lee, Geo. Roberts, Wilson Lee, Daniel Ostrander, Geo. Pickering, Enoch Mudge, Joshua Taylor, and Joshua Hall were, there; men whose influence on the churches of New England can never be effaced, and ought never to be forgotten. Francis Asbury presided. Saturday was the great day of the feast. The three principal men of the occasion, Asbury, Roberts, and Jesse Lee, preached with power to the multitude that thronged to hear them.

The New England Conference again held its session in this church, in the year 1797 and on the one htmdredth anniversary of that session in 1897, the Conference was held in the Methodist Church in this town. And on Jtme 7th, 1826, the Conference was held in this church.

"To the Hon*"' Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled in Boston, on the fourteenth Day of January, in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and ninety-five.

"Humbly show the inhabitants of the Town of Wilbraham, in the Comity of Hampshire, that. Your Petitioners are of the Denomination of Christians called Methodists, and are conscientiously of the persuasion; and are of Sufficient number and Ability to support a Teacher, and defray the Expenses of upholding public Worship among themselves; they therefore pray that they may be admitted to the Rights and Benefits of the Constitution in this Respect; that they, and such others as may here after join them, in such manner as shall be prescribed by Law, may be incorporated into a Parish, by the Name of the Methodist Parish m Wilbraham, and be invested with the Powers, Privileges, and Rights which by the Law and Constitution of this Commonwealth, Parishes ought to have and enjoy.

This Petition was referred to the Committee on Parishes, which reported January 31, 1795, the usual order, notifying "the several parishes" in town, "that they appear and show cause, if any they have, why the prayer of said Petition shotild not be granted," at the first session of the next General Court, to be holden in May and June following.

The South Parish made answer, Jtine 12, 1795, by "John Bliss and Phinehas Stebbins, that the parish have made no objections against the prayer of the petition being granted."

The North Parish by their Committee, James Shaw, Reuben Sikes, and Chileab B. Merrick, made an elaborate reply to the petition. They represent, that on the division of the town into two parishes, the meeting house was one mile south of the centre of the parish, and that they could not persuade the owner to sell the central lot on which all were agreed; that while they were waiting, the roof of the meeting house became so leaJ<y as to render its use and preservation impossible, and that they permitted it to be new shingled at expense of indi- that this "exasperated the leading and principal part of your petitioners to a great degree ; they accordingly assembled and entered into a solemn written agreement to separate from the parish, be no longer connected with them, and formed themselves into a distinct society, as they termed it ; the next Sabboth they went in a body, headed by one of the principal Baptists in the parish, to the Baptist meeting; they fell off gradually, and at length all left that meeting; at this time not one of them had ever heard a Methodist preacher; but the preachers of that order, ever williag to fish in muddy water, came among them; they swallowed the bait, and are now as they say conscientious Methodists;" that soon after, a number of the principal inhabitants of said parish "met and invited the petitioners to attend and give their reasons for their conduct; that they came and said, that if we would dismiss our Minister (who by this time they had taken a dislike to), and remove the Meeting-house they would give up all thoughts of a separation;" but a contract had been made with the minister and cotild not be annialled without his consent; yet they would remove the meeting-house just as soon as possible, "using all exertion within the bounds of reason. . . .' More than a year ago the selected spot was obtained, a meeting-house has been built just where they wanted it, the minister has been dismissed at his request, mostly, as he said, on 'account of these people;' yet they are as far from being satisfied as ever." The respondents also say that "more than six of the petitioners are minors; Cesar, the negro, is a transient person, already out of the State; Lemuel Smith, who in the petition styles himself their elder, is not here but once a month, nor that much of the time ; and will not stay long probably; Grover has left the State; two others wish they had not signed the petition; so that there are only twenty-five of any weight. Their ability may be known by the portion they pay of the town tax: that tax is

"That shingling the meeting-house is but one cause; they were forever opposed to the settlement of their minister, and threw in their objections before his ordination, yet he was settled in spite of the remonstrance of twenty-seven persons; they never consented to return but utterly refused to do so on any condition; Nor did their minister ask a dismission on our account, but because his health was so poor that he could not continue; nor is Lemuel Smith absent from us as they say, - his family is here, and when he is removed another minister will come. There are but five minor petitioners, and they are 'capable of choosing and practising the truth.' No one wishes his name taken off. As nearly all of us are of the North Parish, it is not just to estimate our ability by the town Tax; the Parish tax for building the Meeting-House is £343, and we pay £90. We are not fickle, nor do our ministers 'fish in muddy water.' "

"The parish voted, February 14, 1794, that all who belonged to the Methodists shotild be exempt from taxes, but afterwards changed, and rated the Methodists to build their meetinghouse, when they had their own to build and a minister to support. They submit their case:

" 'Not doubting but your Honors feel the spirit of republicanism, that liberty, civil and religious, might be established within the American shores.' "

"We learn nothing farther of special interest in the history of this church till 1814, when a camp-meeting was held. The following year another was held. These meetings were a great blessing to the church. Its members were quickened in spiritual life, a large accession made to its numbers, and the attention of the community aroused and called to the subject of religion. Inspirited by this influence, they immediately raised money enough, not only to finish the church in comfortable style, but had about three hundred dollars remaining in the treasury. At this time a stove was procured for warming the house. This was a great innovation on the customs of the age ; and not till

An act of incorporation was probably passed at the session of the Legislature in 1832, and the first corporate meeting of the Methodist Episcopal Society was organized under a warrant issued by William Knight, Esq., of WUbraham, at the petition of Abraham Avery and ten others, and was held in the Methodist meeting house, August 29th, 1832.

In September, 1833, A. Avery circulated a subscription paper among the members of the society, for the purpose of taking stock in shares of fifty dollars each, to build a new meeting house. Thirty-three Shares having been taken, it was agreed to proceed to build a house forty-two by sixty feet with a tower. The society voted to purchase slips to the amount of its funds, some three hundred dollars.

The cost of the house was limited to three thousand dollars, except for the steps, bell, and some outside expenses. And the house cost within the limit. It was, by the contract, to have been finished by the 20th of October, 1834; but was not coinpleted till May of the following year. It was dedicated by the Rev. Dr. Fisk about the 19th of May, 1835.

At a meeting of the Society held January 1st, 1834: "On motion of Mr. Foster, voted that the committee be instructed to sell the old Meeting-House, and the avails thereof be laid out for stock in a new Meeting-House."

At the same meeting it was voted "that the Three Hundred Dollars given by Moses K. Bartlett deceased, should be laid out for stock in a new Meeting-House by the Committee." (Moses K. Bartlett died October 29th, 1819.)

At a meeting held April 24th, 1834, Wm. S. Smith and Wm. E. Brewer were chosen a committee to obtain subscriptions for the meeting house in contemplation, to be invested in free seats. On May 22, 1835, voted that the "committee be instructed to sell the Old Meeting-House for any sum not less than three hundred and fifty Dollars." August 1st, 1835, the price was reduced to three hundred Dollars.

Probably the meeting, August 1st, 1835, was the last meeting of the society in the old meeting house. The record for the next meeting begins :

"Voted that the Society accept of the doings of their Committee in the negotiation with A. L. Brewer for the old House." May 5, 1836: "Voted that the Prudential Committee' be instructed to examine the old slips, steps & Pulpit &c, in the Old House, and if thought best to reserve & remove the same before the sale of the House."

The house was sold to Anson L. Brewer, and the ground on which it stood, which it will be remembered was leased to the society, was sold by Charles Brewer to Anson L. Brewer, Esq., of New Lisbon, Ohio, October 23rd, 1835, and on October 28, 1841, it was sold to Wm. W. Merrick and remained in his possession, and that of his estate for 67 years, or until 1908, when it was sold according to the provisions of his will, and is now in my possession.

In order to raise funds, the society sold pews or slips to individuals by deeds which are recorded in the clerk's book. The first on the record is for "Pew or Slip numbered fifty one in the Meeting House lately erected for the use and benefit of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Society in the north parish of Wilbraham," to "Samuel Warner for Sixty Dollars." Dated June 20th, 1835. If an iadividual sold his "Pew or Slip" to some other person, the deed was recorded in the clerk's book.

obtained a judgment against him for the sum of $515.95, and the sheriff attatched his pew, No. 27, which was appraised by "three disinterested and discreet men" to be worth "sixty-five dollars." The record of the whole transaction covers two pages in the clerk's book, and it is no wonder that the society began to devise measures to eliminate such conditions, and on March 17, 1851, they chose "John M. Merrick, Sam' Warner, Joel M. Lyman, a committee to consider the expediency & practicability of buying the slips of the Proprietors."

March 29th, 1843: Joel M. Lyman, P. P. Potter, Wm. E. Brewer were "chosen a committee to see if Land can be obtained on which to build Horse Sheds."

April 7th, 1843: "Voted that the society hold meetings on sabbath days only by day light & on no other occasions except extraordinary ones."

March 30, 1847: "Voted to purchase 2 cords of pine wood, 3 feet long, at 2.50 per cord, and 2 cords of oak wood, 3 feet long at 2.87 per cord.

At the meeting held on April 7, 1849, Mr. Lane and Wm. E. Brewer were chosen "a committee to draw a plan and make an estimate for a parsonage."

March 31, 1851: "Voted to raise five hundred Dollars to raise this house & finish off the Vestry." April 16, 1851, " Porter Cross, Samuel Warner, John M. Merrick be a committee to raise the house and finish off the vestry."

A parsonage was probably secured in 1856. The meeting house remained as a place for worship imtil about 1868, when it was removed off to the east, onto the Academy grounds and has, for part of the time since, been used by the Academy for a music hall and for a gymnasium. The erection of the stone church was commenced in 1867 and it was formally opened with a sermon by Dr. Miner Raymond in midsummer in 1870. The total cost was nearly $45,000. The bell was given to the society by Col. Benjamin Butler, who lived on the Bay Road, in the northeast part of the town, and the fionds for the purchase of the clock in the tower were secured by subscriptions from many different persons.

Wilbraham'S First Methodist Church The Historic Church At Wilbraham

"I saw and behold People were gathered Together on the top of a delightsome Spatious hill where there were a number of high Lofty Towering Steeples bright and shining arranged along and on the vast tops were people clothed in white who stood upright and gave out the word hymn or tune and the people below burst into song.

"Again we have been taught that it willbe a great consolation to Saints in heaven to see the dammed in hell plased nigh in full view and that it will greatly promote their hapiness and it will set in Clear Light the compassion of God and Christ.

"Such a preacher never had a distant Idea of the happiness of heaven or of what it consisted of he never has known Jesus nor the ways of Salvation never has one taste of the Love of Jesus nor the powers of the world to come."

The camp meetings, to which refference has been made, were probably held in the grove, which then covered the hill, about sixty or eighty rods easterly of the present Grace Chtirch at North Wilbraham.

Camp meetings were held there by several societies, on different weeks, for many years. The Millerites or "Adventists," as they are now called, held camp meetings there, until they moved to their present location in Springfield. Also, I think, a negro society held meetings there for a few seasons. The grove was also used for Sunday school picnics.

On August 24, 1857, the Springfield District of the Methodist Conference, began to hold camp meetings in Collins Grove, on the ground now occupied by the Collins Manufacturing Company's mill, and boarding houses. The ground was leased at 11.00 per year, and the meetings were held there for seven years until 1864; then they were held at Hatfield until 1872, when the present location at Laurel Park, Northampton, was secured.

Historical Sketch Of Baptist Church At Colton Hollow

I have mentioned that the year 1794 seems to have been filled with religious activity in our town. The business of moving the first meeting house down from Wigwam Hill, the building of the Methodist meeting house on our Main Street, were both going on at that time. And in addition, a Baptist society was gathering over on the mountain, easterly of Glendale, in a locality now known as "Colton Hollow," consisting of residents of both Wilbraham and Monson, and partly of persons who were already members of the Baptist Church at East Wilbraham, of which Elder Seth Clark was pastor.

Brother Israel Bennet Consequently unamosUy voted that Brother Israel Bennet Be first Deacon in this Ch*". Then proceeded to no What the work of a Deacon was not having time at this meeting Voted to Ajoum the meeting to Thursday the 15 Day of May Next at Nathan Peases at one of the clock p. m. This meeting is Ajoumed.

"May the 15 Day 1794 the Ch*" met acording to Ajoumment .... then proceed in the Labour Conseming the work of a Deacon after much time spent in Labour come to no Conclusion then voted to Ajoum the meeting to Thursday may the 29"* Day at one o'clock p. m. at Nathan Peases.

"May 29 Met according to Ajoumment .... concluded to take up the qualifycations office And work of a Deacon in their order as they stand pinted out in Scripture - ^as set forth Acts 6-3-5. Tim 3 from 3 to 12. Qualifications of a Deacon (abbreviated) Aught to be honest - ^Pull of the Holy Ghost, a man of Gravity and Soberiety - a Man of Faith - open hearted - ^not close fisted or greedy of filthy lucre.

"6'y We believe that a deacon ought to be The Husband of but one wife ruling well his own children and house Hold and that their wives ought to be sober grave and faithful in all things.

"Then 2'y Voted to send to the following Ch''' to see if we might obtain their fellowship (Vis) SufSeld Wilbraham and Infield to meet in Conference at Bro. Nathan Peases Wednesday the 2""* day of July at 10 of the clock, m.

"Wilbraham July the 2°"* Day 1794. At the request of a number of Bretheren members of the Baptist church under the Pastoral care of Elder Seth Clark who propose to Incorporate into a Destinct Church Met in Council at the Dwelling house of Mr Nathan Pease Elders and members from the following Churches. (Suffield, Enfield, names given, 3 from each) (Wilbraham) Elder Seth Clark and Brothers Joseph Butler Noah Polk ( ?) Josiah Hill Zadock Bebee Samuel Miner - ^made choice of Elder John Hastings moderator, Ephraim (?) Robins clerk. - proceeded to hear S"* Bretheren Relate the Standing of their minds with regard to being set off into a Ch*" State, the Concil Being by themselves and Deliberated on the matter and after mature Consideration the Concil were of opinion that it will be for the furtherance of the Cause of God that they be Considered as a distinct Church and this Concil give them fellowship as such under the Appillation of the 2""* Baptist Church in Wilbraham.

" March 24'h 1795 (Church meeting) "to hear a complaint of Sister Mary purches (?) against Brother Aron Chapin consisting of two Charges (?) 1^' that Brother Chapin took some sheep of her and Declined to give her security therefor to her satisfaction. 2'y that in paying the Rent for the sheep the wool was not Equil to Contract. (The Church considered the matter and reported what Brother Chapen ought to do, and appointed a committee of four to settle any dispute between them in the future. Nothing else done. Meeting disolved)

"Oct 23'' 1799. A number of Christian people of the Baptist Denomination met at Nathan Peases for the purpose of Collecting their minds concerning the Publick Worship of God and travel of their minds present Elder Seth Clark Elder Stephen Shepard (and others) then sought to find the union Between Elder Clarks members and others in the worship and found aGreement - ^then went into the labour to see how many Could commune to Gether and found Forteen members that was free to commune. - ^Voted to send a letter of the proceedings of the day to Elder Clarks Church which is as follows.

"A number of Bretheren who met in their worship at Brother Peases to the Baptist Church of Christ in Wilbraham to whom we are connected (&c) - ^We would inform you that Elder Clark Deacon Elisha Cleveland ( ?) and a number of your Bretheren here together with ourselves this day had a Blessed interview in a free Conference at Brother Peases and found in the first place we were hapily agreed to worship together when we have Opportunity: and in the second place there was Forteen members stood ready for Communion who was here present - and all agreed that not withstanding our diferent oppenion respecting our being a Church Before this date Each part was willing Each other should maintain his oppinion and not consider one another Knowingly wrong, and finding ourselves free to Worship & Commune together we did in the conclution with the greatest freedom by way of Condesention to lay aside the Idia of a Ch'' till we have your Aprobation If you can give it and have this day agreed to set out anew the same as if there had been nothing done before in considering ourselves a ch"" Except we see no need of calling a Council Because our present prosperity Cannot alter their former opinion. We heard no noise of ax or hanmier this day those members Who are not ready now to Embody with us are free towards our doings and we are free towards them (and more)

"at a ch'^ meeting held at Elder Clarks house this Day Dear Breathem we took your letter into Consideration dated the 23'' of October last We rejoice to see your union and fellowship one with other and wish Grace mercy and peace might be multiplied with you. We as a ch"* can give you fellowship as a ch"" But think for your furter Benefit that it is Necessary that you have the fellowship of other ch""^ also. We remain your Breathem in tribtdation

"A meeting was held Feb. 6"^ 1800 at Isaac Meechams and in the first place hear"* Brother Meechams accusations against sister pease and her reply. The ch'^ attended with the greatest Calmness (?) and were all agreed that Brother Meecham was much out of the way in holding things so hard against Sister hannah pease and all the Ch'^ Except two members were free (favorable) towards her and they were in some measure removed and had nothing as against Bro. an what Before they had was in some measure removed out of the way.

"At a ch*" meeting held at Nathan peases April 3"^ 1800, voted that Elder Stephen Shepard Preach half the time with us at the present and continue so long as he shall think proper and we continue our freedom in Contributines to him in bilding the house upon that Land Elder Shepard had of Brother hakes ( ?) "

May 3rd, 1800: Conference attended by Elders and members from other Churches the Articles of Covenant were read and approved and the fellowship of their Churches given. (This seems to be the second time the Church was constituted. Perhaps they had not held meetings regularly since 1794.)

June 9th, 1804: "Voted that no Brother ought to bring a matter to the Ch'' without it is a matter of Trespass ( ?) as there is many differences in our judgment which may be left to Endividuals which are not a just bar from the communion."

Mar. 30th, 1808: "2'y agreed to the eyedee that Elder Shepards present standing is not binding on his parishiners. Voted on Elder Shepards motion that he is at liberty to be absent from us and we to look out for other help" Voted "immediately to try to obtain other help."

Dec. 23rd, 1809: "At a ch'' meeting held at Brother James Works - 2'y Conversed freely upon inviting Ministers to administer to us who belong to and attend the masonic lodge Voted that under existing circumstances we think it best not to invite them to the grief of any of otir bretheren."

The last of Dec, 1809: "Voted to request that hampton Ch*" ordain Brother Alvin Bennet - ^that he may administer the ordinances to the Chh."

June 23rd, 1810 - "at a Conference meeting held at our meeting house." (The first mention of using the meeting house. The previous meeting held at Elder Shepards.)

Oct. 17th, 1811: "At a ch'' meeting held at Brother Nath Pease house in Wilbraham - Brother Truman Trask Came forward and made his mind manifest that he was not satisfied with his Baptism on the account of his not being quite all over Whelmed in Water through a mistake. It was largely Conversed upon after all the Light that Could be Brought forward, then the voice of the Ch"" was taken and all was agreed Exsepting one that Brother Trask was Gospelwise Baptised and therefore is a member of this Ch""

March 21st, 1812: "In the first place opened the way for Bro. Aaron Chapin to free his mind why he left the Ch*", he said that the principle reasons was Consemiag masonry and the mode of singing the Ch"" had adopted. Conversed largely on the first point and finding his mind Still tryed. not wishing to leave the Ch*" Could he see with them, the Ch"" agreed to wait on him a while longer."

Monson July 31st, 1830: "In the first place took up the matter concerning Br. Jedidiah Smith joining the Freemasons. Voted to send him a letter of admonition. Elder Bennett to write S"^ letter the letter was wrote, read and Excepted."

Sept. 13th, 1817: "Voted to release Br Asa Beebe uppon his own request from Ch*" Chorister. 2'^ Voted that they was willing that the singers should sing and regulate themselves."

April 20th, 1822: "Then Oliver Bliss presented a Complaint against Bro. Asa Beebe - appointed April 24"' to hear S"* Complaint." (On April 24 met to hear the Complaint which was): "that Bro. Beebe had defrauded and deceved him in selling him a ytjak of oxen . . . . " (evidence given.)

Then the Church deliberated on the matter and voted the following report. "We are sensuble that the intention of the mind must crown the merit of the action and of this the Lord only can Judge. We are sorry that Br. Beebe did not inform Mr. Bliss that the ox had been poaked at the time he sold him the Cattle which we think he ought to have done and we are very sorry that he did not and hope he is or will be sorry for it also which we think he ought to bee. Then Br. Beebe Replied and said that he was sorry that he did not tell Mr. Bliss that the ox had been Poked (ox was unruly). Voted to Disolve this meeting."

20 church meetings for business were held in 1837 and 29 in 1838 and many members were excluded from fellowship, causing much trouble and at the request of the church a committee from the association considered the subject.

April 26th, 1845: Voted "that the name of our church be so far changed as to be called Baptist Church Monson & Wilbraham. Voted to organize a Sabbath School."

April 18th, 1846: After hearing the testimony concerning Mrs. Hunt, "Voted we think she did wrong when her husband came home in taking the tea and hideing it and then make her husband think he had not got any and he went and got more. Also we think she has used profane language. Voted that she confess publicly - Mrs Hunt said she could not comply with the requirement of the church. Voted to wave the subject for the present."

On November 30th, 1852: "The church met a committee of the Association consisting of four, A. Parker, Robinson, Bachelor, J. Nichols. The object of the committee was to learn the state of the C"*". Upon inquiry of each member present it seemed to be their desire to sustain the visibility of the church and make one more effort to sustain the preached gospel in this place."

April 27th, 1853: "Voted to ask the committee of the Asso- .ciation Rev. Parker, Robinson and Bachelor to know whether in their opinion the church have lost their visibility or identity in their past neglect of various duties &c."

Dec. 2nd, 1854: "Voted to dedicate the new Meeting House in South Wilbraham. Committee appointed to fix the time and make all necessary arrangements. Voted to appoint our next Covenant meeting at the Baptist Meetiag House in South Wilbraham."

Petition Of Noah Stebbins And Others

"To the Honorable the Senate, &»the Honorable the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in General Court assembled, in Boston, on the twenty-ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and five: -

"The Petition of the subscribers most humbly exhibits that they are of a persuasion and denomination of Christians commonly called Methodists, belonging to the towns of Wilbraham, Springfield & Ludlow, in the County of Hampshire; and that they are of sufficient number & ability to support a teacher and defray the expenses of upholding publick worship among themselves.

"They therefore pray that they may be admitted to the rights and benefits of the Constitution in this respect, that they, and such others as may hereafter join them in such manner as shall be prescribed by law, may be incorporated into a parish or religious society by the name of the Methodist Episcopal Parish or Religious Society in the towns of Wilbraham, Springfield, & Ludlow, and be invested with the powers priviliges & rights which by the law & Constitution of this Commonwealth parishes ought to have and enjoy.

On the "Petition of Noah Stebbins and others and Stephen Howard and others. Inhabitants of Wilbraham, Springfield, and Ludlow, praying that they may be incorporated into a religious Society, by the name of the Methodist Episcopal Parish or Religious Society. in the towns of Wilbraham, Springfield, and Ludlow" it is

"Ordered, that the Petitioners cause attested copies of their Petitions, with this order thereon, to be served on the respective Town Clerks of the said towns of Wilbraham, Springfield, and Ludlow, and on the several Parish Clerks within the said towns, thirty days at least before the second Wednesday of the first session of the next General Court, that all concerned may then appear, and shew cause (if any they have) why the prayer of said Petitioners should not be granted. "In Senate, February 22, 1806. "Read and accepted.

A previous petition of Noah Stebbins and others only is ordered and referred in the same way, June 11th, 1805 (except "third instead of second Wednesday" and "next session" instead of "first session of next," etc.)

The North and South Parishes answered the notification of the petition in nearly the same words, as follows (omitting the formal introduction) : -

"The clerk of the town has favored us with a writing purporting to be an order of your Honors on the petition of Noah Stebbins and others, praying to be incorporated into a religious society, also papers purporting to be petitions of said Noah Stebbins Stephen Howard and others, but neither of said papers are attested by any person as coppies, so that we are wholly at a loss whether there be any such petitions pending and we know not the names of the petitioners except the two above mentioned. Indeed, the person who left the papers with the clerk said he would give the names of as many as he could remember, and gave about fifty. He soon after called and took said list away, so that we have not the names of the Petitioners but by the memory of the clerk, and his information was incomplet; but a number have appeared and said that they signed said petition, but that they were deceived - that they had no idea of saying that they were Methodists, and wished to be incorporated, but that they were willing that others, to wit, Methodists, might be. Upon the whole, we think there has been great unfairness in obtaining said Petitions, and in giving notice. We therefore pray, if there is such a petition pending, your

Honors would not grant the prayer thereof until we are regularly notified, and have the names of the petitioners. " 'As in duty bound shall we pray.'

In 1819, forty-two inhabitants of Wilbraham, Palmer, and Monson, petitioned to be incorporated as "The Third Religious Society in the town of Wilbraham," alleging that they were situated about four miles from the nearest place of public worship, and\ that they had twenty years since formed themselves into a separate religious society, and erected a house of worship, and supported preaching almost constantly since that time; but at length, finding it inconvenient to do so, in consequence of the want of an act of incorporation, granting to said society power to lay and collect a tax for that purpose.

The act of incorporation was not passed, and it is hardly necessary to copy the names of the petitioners. They were, I suppose, the supporters of the Baptist Society in the North Village, or the one at Colton Hollow.

As a reminiscence of the days, only about 75 years ago, I copy ,a few bills paid on account of the militia, and other items from the treasurer's account.

" $25.00 Luther Brewer Treasurer of the town of Wilbraham pay Highland Cleaveland, Benjamin Ellis, Sidney Moore, Isaac Brewer, Edward W. Chaffee the sum of Five Dollars each they having done Military duty as the law requires the year past as cer"* by their commanding Officer -

"To the Selectmen of the town of Wilbraham "This certifies that Benjamin Ellis has done military duty in the company of light infantry in Longmeadow the season past according to law he will therefore have a claim of Five Dollars on your treasury for his services.

"Gentlemen this certifies that Jonah Alden 3^ of Wilbraham has done Military duty in the Independent Company of Militia in the town of Ludlow the past season according to law for which he is entitled to five dollars out of the Treasury of Wilbraham.

Training day was a great event in those days. All men between the ages of 18 and 45 were enrolled in the militia and were required to assemble at stated times, organize into companies, choose officers and do a certain amount of drilling each year. How they got their dinners on training days, I have not yet learned. But I have learned from one who was there, that the beverage they consumed was not all drawn from the tavern well, near which they generally assembled. New England rum was cheap (about 60 cents a gallon) and on that day it was plenty and free for every militiaman. The expense was paid by the officers, the non-commissioned officers being assessed about 25 cents each, and the commissioned officers paying larger sums, according to their rank, but the "grog" was free, and we may well believe the reports of those days, that some of the men drank more of it than was for their good. I have been informed that at the last training of the Wilbraham company.

they marched to North Wilbraham and then along the roadbed of the Great Western Railroad, as the Boston and Albany was then called, which had been graded, but the ties and rails had not been laid. That must have been about 1838. Philip P. Potter was the last captain of the -Wilbraham company, and Col. Benjamin Butler the last colonel of the regiment, which must have been composed of companies from several towns. They both retained their titles while they lived, being familiarly spoken of as Colonel Butler and Captain Potter.

It appears, from a study of the treasurer's accounts of the town, that the bills were not always paid during the year that there were incurred. I find the following:

On one page of the account for 1831, I find that interest was paid on eight different orders given in 1829 and 1830. The largest being $23.00, and the smallest $1.65. There are many similar charges of interest paid.

In 1827, I find the treasurer charges himself, "By Cash of William Knight Esq. being one half of a fine collected of Erasmus Glover for Profane Swearing .50."

Railroads In This Vicinity

"In Oct., 1841, the road was finished to the N. Y. State line and on Dec. 24, 1841, trains began runniag between Boston and Albany, on the longest continuous line of railway then in operation in the United States."

The line was then owned by three corporations, which were consolidated 'under the name of the Boston and Albany on December 1st, 1867. The road from Springfield to Hartford and New Haven was opened in 1844. The road from Springfield to Northampton and beyond, was put in operation about 1847. In 1847, a company was incorporated to build a line from New London to Springfield, but the route was changed to Palmer, and was opened September 20, 1850.

In connection with the opening of the Boston and Albany Railroad, the following letter from Delos D. Merrick to his brother Wm. W. Merrick, both of this town, may be of interest. (Delos D. Merrick went to Wellfleet to teach school.)

"Wellfleet Mass. Dec. 22->d 1834 "Dear Brother - . . . . let me tell you about my joumey. I arrived here the next sabbath after I started. We arrived at Ware about 8 o'clock, left there about seven the next morning. Arrived at Worcester about 12 same day which was Friday, left there 12J^, arrived at Westboro in season to take the railroad for Boston we drove 7 miles from there with a horse fastened to the car to a place calF Hopkinton where we waited till 20 minutes before 5 we then started with steam and with such rapidity that I was astonished for I must say that I never rode as fast as that before, they go at the rate of 20 miles per hour we soon arrived at Boston . . . Permit me to tell you one thing, censvire me not for you know I wanted to see all I could by way of improvement. I visited the Theatre I did not have any idea of it it was beautiful"

(Left Boston Simday morning by boat, reached Wellfleet same day. Two friends of his who sailed from Boston on Friday reached there at same time.)

When the " Great Western Railroad " (now Boston & Albany) was built in 1839, a station was established near the northwest part of our town, about forty or sixty rods east of where our present West Street nms tmder the railroad, and about midway between the two houses now standing there. Elisha Fuller kept a tavern, located a few rods north of the station, on the north side of the present highway and just west of the branch road that runs down towards the Chicopee River. In the days before the Connecticut River Railroad was built, a stage ran daily between that station and Northampton. About 1840 to 1845, a family from the South had come to Northampton to visit friends, bringing with them a colored nurse-girl, who was a slave. It was against the sentiment of the community in those days for a slave to tread the sacred soil of Massachusetts. Probably some rabid abolitionist must have given the information to the society in Boston that a slave was there, for two men came from Boston and compelled her to go with them. She came in the stage with them to Mr. Ftiller's tavern, and broken-hearted told her story to him. When those men ordered dinner for themselves, and said that she could eat afterwards or with the servants of the house, Mr. Fuller was very indignant, and told them, " If they had dinner there, they would all eat at the same table, and at the same time." She was taken to Boston, told she was free, and could take care of herself. In a few weeks, only a month I think, she was back, on her way to Northampton, and trying to find her friends, from whom she was so cruelly separated. This incident of the old abolition days was told me by a daughter of Mr Fuller, who though only a child at the time, remembers it very well.

This railroad station was moved in 1851, to what is now called "Oak Street" Station, and the tavern soon followed. Both being moved on Sunday, by the railroad, on four platform cars, two on each track, and the tavern was set on its foundation without even disturbing a glass of water, full to the brim, setting on a shelf in the dining room. About 1859, Mr. Fuller moved to Springfield, and conducted the Hampden Hotel, in the block now occupied by Smith & Murray's store.

The Athol branch, now operated by the Boston & Albany, was built from Barrett's Junction to Springfield in 1873, and a station established in Ludlow, just across the Chicopee River from our north village, which was named "Collins," in honor of the first station agent at North Wilbraham, which was once called "Collins' Depot."

The Wilbraham Aqueduct Company

Somewhere about 1854 or 1855, a stock company was formed here for the purpose of supplying our center village with water. A reservoir was made on the west side of, and about half way up the mountain, and an aqueduct of pine logs was laid to the Main Street and for about half a mile in the street. I well remember, when a boy, of seeing the long auger, run by steam power, eating its way lengthwise through those logs and the bushels of chips which rolled out of the end of the log where the auger entered. The boring was done in a lot on the east side of the Main Street, directly in front of the south end of the present boarding house of Wilbraham Academy. The specifications required that the logs should be eight inches in diameter at the small end. They bored a hole four inches in diameter through each log, leaving at the best only two inches of sappy V green wood around the hole, and as I have been told, when the water was turned on the logs began to burst before the water got down into the village. The broken places were patched up, and the water was kept running after a fashion for a few years, but at such an expense for repairs that after a short time the system was abandoned, and the reservoir sold later to Wilbraham Academy, and about thirty-five years ago an iron pipe was pushed through the hole in the old logs for part of the way, and now serves to convey water to their boarding house from what is called the "Upper Reservoir."

"The Board of Directors of the Company have directed that an instalment of six dollars on each share of the capital stock of said Company be required to be paid into the hands of the Treasurer at the expiration of ten days from the 28th day of May last past. In accordance with this resolution I have placed in the hands of Hiram M. Brewer Collector of the Company the Subjoined bills. It is the wish of the directors that you use all due dilligence to cause the same to be collected and paid into your hands and made subject to the drafts of the Secretary and Auditor.

None of these stockholders are now living, but I remember all but three of them. They were capable and energetic, and we regret that thejr venture was not more successful.

The Wesleyan Academy, as it was originally called and, as its name indicates, was closely connected with the Methodist Church. During the first fifty years after the Methodist Church was organized but few efforts were made to found educational institutions. Cokesbury College in Maryland was built, and twice destroyed by fire, but nothing further was done in the cause of education by the Methodist Church until the year 1818, when the Wesleyan Academy was inaugurated and located at Newmarket New Hampshire. The Wesleyan Academy had but very limited success during the entire time of its location at Newmarket, and its founders with other friends of education in the Methodist Church began inquiring for a better location, and proposals were invited. On the 30th of December, 1823, the following vote was passed by the trustees: "Whereas, the Academy under our superintendence has not met with that encouragement which we were induced to expect. Therefore, voted, that we suspend our operations for the present."

The citizens of Wilbraham offered valuable inducements, including subscriptions to the amount of more than $2,000 and the present site of the institution was selected, a board of trustees nominated, and an act of incorporation obtained from the Massachusetts Legislature. The act was approved by the Governor on the 7th of February, 1824, a few days more than a month after operations were suspended at Newmarket. The Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham and the Newmarket

Wesleyan Academy were therefore one and the same institution with only a change of location and legal authority, and claimed the honor of being the oldest existing literary institution, under the patronage of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America.

On land donated by Wm. Rice, Esq., of Springfield, formerly of Wilbraham, known as the "Academy Lot," with the avails of donations collected by agents who travelled extensively through the Conference, the "Old Academy" building was erected. A farm of sixty acres - one-half of the Warriner homestead, was purchased, and the old house enlarged and fitted for a boarding-house. This house was first built by Wm. Rice for a hotel and had been used for several years by the Warriners for that purpose. As the main tide of travel had moved aside from them, they found business not paying and were ready to sell. For some time the chief profit had been derived from special gatherings for convivial and military purposes which often proved to be "high times." On one occasion, after freely imbibing of the liquors kept within, the revellers rode their horses in at the large front door, through the hall and out the back way. The purchase of this property was a fortxmate investment. It removed what would have been a source of constant temptation to the students, and at the same time gave them precisely the property most conveniently located for the purposes of , the school.