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DATE DUE iF ode aap)
APR i 0 \ann _|ed ri é f . . ) 4 n wa
UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
AT vad AMHERST | F ‘ssa 74
L94 N81
1912
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The History of Ludlow
Massachusetts
With Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Reminiscences, Genealogies, Farm Histories, and
an Account of the Centennial
Celebration, “|wne= 17," 1374
FIRST EDITION COMPILED BY
AEP RED N@ ONE VAS Mer
A FORMER PASTOR OF THE TOWN
SECOND EDITION
REVISED AND ENLARGED
PRINTED BY, VOLE OF ALE sLOw in
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.: SPRINGFIELD PRINTING AND BINDING COMPANY
1912
For thus saith the Lord that created the heafens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in fain, he formed it to he inhabited: J am the Lord; and there is none else.
J hake uot spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth; J said not unto the seed of Jacoh, Seek ye me in fain: J the Lord speak righteousness, J declare
things that are right.
Pa Je elvan 32
Tue day of appreciation of a work like this is never at the time when it is issued. The labor of research and compilation must be in a measure a labor of love.
The apparent unimportance of our contribution to the public may, after all, exist only in appearance. Few prominent public men claim Ludlow as their birthplace, nor does the town seek, like seven cities of old, to rest her fame on the reputation of some ungrateful son. This is but a quiet little neighborhood, occupying a humble position in the grand old Commonwealth.
But while the town has been unsung by bard, or unwritten by annalist, or unknown to the greater events of busy humanity, she may, from these very reasons, argue an individuality which is worthy of note. Her life is not merely memoir or public history, but is unique in possessing few of those features which so largely enter into the pic- ture of towns farther famed.
If New England has done aught for humanity, her accomplishments have had their inception in her homes, among her own sons and daughters. Her power found its origin at her firesides. The world must know that New England has had a life by itself. The student of that life, in all its characteristics, discovers an individuality and seeks to trace its causes. In such towns as Ludlow, they may be discovered easily. The glare of popular feats and popular men removed, we are permitted to look upon a specimen of pure, unadulterated New England life.
As the reader examines our folk-lore, then, we take pleasure in introducing him to the true New England home. These hardy yeomen, these toiling matrons, who have quarried and polished the hearthstones of a century, have been good fathers and mothers, and have been per- mitted to see successive generations of noble sons and daughters grow up around them, to call them and their institutions blessed. The fore- fathers sleep their last long slumber, but if you would see their handi-
vi PREFACE
work, look not only at the broad acres and spacious barns, but also peer into the faces of their descendants, and read of the excellences and wis- dom of their sires.
We lift the veil of a century. If the fresco behind show in places the marks of age, need we wonder? If here and there a tint is so faded as to be indistinct, a stripe once distinct and beautiful may seem to have lost the uniformity at first given to its breadth, or the beauty of its curvature, charge the defacement to the account of Old Time itself. A magnificent work by one of the old masters has been lost by an attempt to renovate it; we give you our little picture as nature hands it to us.
The materials composing this volume have been, in the main, res- cued from memories which soon must fade away. In the absence of fulsome annals, the incidents have been obtained by conversation with octogenarians, and even nonagenarians, at their firesides and those of their neighbors. Grandsires hastening to the grave have been arrested in their faltering steps, and grandams disturbed in their medi- tations, that they might tune afresh the harps of early days for the eager ears of generations come and coming. Yellowed old deeds, lichen- painted tombstones, silent cellar holes and well-nigh forgotten boundary lines have been tributary to the work.
To all who have so kindly aided in giving desired information, we would extend hearty thanks. To the assiduous and painstaking chair- man of the Committee of Publication and his colaborers, in gathering the materials so profusely furnished the compiler, the town is under particular obligation. The beauty of these pages, and tasty appear- ance of the volume, themselves speak for the publishers. The thanks of the town is more than due to them who have so cheerfully furnished those portraits of themselves or their friends, with which the volume is embellished. The Centennial Exercises will be read again with delight, and reread by successive audiences, who shall by their interest give the meed of praise to those who rendered that eventful cele- bration a feast of reason as well as a glad reunion.
More than a word is due to the historian of that day. Other towns may glory over the prowess of their corporate ancestors, but it will be discovered that our historian regaled his appreciative auditors with choicest tidbits from the town’s own life. The pens of other ready writers may have improved such occasions in tracing excellent homilies
PREFACE Vii
on grand themes; the gentleman, to whom reference is made here, found in the word “Ludlow” an inspiration all-sufficient for his task.
The compiler of the history, as sensible of his own incapacity, per- haps, as the sharpest critic, asks the indulgence of those most inter- ested, wishing to them and their successors on the domain of Ludlow the fondest blessings which can come from enterprise and thrift, and good homes, and good hearts.
Ludlow Center, 1875.
PREFACE TO THE SECOND: 2 eisai
To RETAIN intact this former preface with its beauty of sentiment and expression, and to retain intact with additions and corrections to date the entire history of the town of Ludlow as published in 1875, has been the desire and aim of the Ludlow Town History Committee of 1911.
The passage of the thirty-six intervening years has brought to Lud- low the many changes which only time can bring Many families prominent in the town in 1875 are with us now only in name. Old homes full of historic lore and interest are abandoned and fast falling into decay. New homes and new people are making their impress upon the history of the town from day to day. Any effort to make our history more authentic, must come at this time while we still have access to the experiences and memories of those who have known and lived in the earlier days, and of those, whose present day experiences are still fresh in mind.
While this work probably cannot be absolute, the committee have appreciated the ready response to all inquiries, and the personal interest manifested by many of the townspeople, former and present, and desire to express their thanks to all. Especially do the committee appreciate the untiring efforts and work of their honorary member, whose years of close association with town affairs and experience as a member of the History Committee of 1875, have made invaluable his services rendered.
For themselves the committee would quote the words of the former compiler and ‘‘ask the indulgence of those most interested, wishing to them and their successors on the domain of Ludlow, the fondest blessings which can come from enterprise and thrift, and good homes, and good
”
hearts. BENJAMIN F. BurRR, Honorary member, Miss EvANORE O. BEEBE, Honorary member, HeEnrRY I. CARVER, GILLEN D. ATCHINSON,* DANFORTH W. SIKES, Mrs. AMELIA J. CLARK, Mrs. ALEXANDER C. BIRNIE, GEORGE H. SPRAGUE.
Ludlow, 1911.
* Deceased. George H. Sprague chosen to fill the vacancy.
Town History ComMITTEE, 1911.
Upper Row—George H. Sprague, Mrs. A. C. Birnie, Henry I. Carver. Center Row—Benjamin F. Burr, Miss E. O. Beebe. Lower Row—Gillen D. Atchinson, Mrs. A. J. Clark, Danforth W. Sikes.
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GxbeEe Or CONTENTS
PART f PAGE I. ANTE-LUDLOW . : ; : : : : : ks) II. TorpoGRAPHY : : , ; : : ‘ : to 4S III. Town ANNALS . ; B : ; ; : , eet, IV. Town DEVELOPMENT . : : 4 ; ‘ : 6 93 V. First oR TOWN CHURCH . : : 5 : ; See bay VI. OTHER CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS : ; : ; nen BET VII. - INDUSTRIAL HISTORY . : : , : ; : 5 208 VIII. EpucaTIONAL INTERESTS . : ? : : ; 235 PART II I. BIOGRAPHIES ; : ; 5 ; ; ; : 5265 II. Historic REMINISCENCES . . : : : 4 a 1St9 III. GENEALOGIES f : ; f : ; ; , Sir) IV. Farms oF LUDLOW . ; , , : : ; sry 5 RARE a
THE CENTENNIAL . : 2 ’ Z 5 ; : : » 506
KS OF SiEVGs TRATIONS
CHESTER Wis GHAPIN cer Stee 4itieig crocs ree he esas Oi SMBS olexonr ee Geko eerie cures Frontispiece ALOWINM EATS TO Rave | COMMITTEE e-crte nO too oer pee Ree | ches tah nce een on aarp a 1x ANG OED-BASHIONEDHPRIEPIUA GE: © acne con octal Ooh ccd OiSteae eee eee een ee am 18 [INTERTORMOR CEE Ska BURRESHEUNGATL OW a arty eee ale ieee eel een eens eine 29 GING Ale OVE © Lia belle DRIRIT© Nee La GUN Gaal lelIN: lone Lx © Ciena ene ere 30 ON STEPSTONE OF ONE OF THE FirsT HOUSES BUILT IN LUDLOW................ 34 NRT EUIROND se ICING SY ELOUSE tore te Rr a eran. Syihae teede eens Rees otORie aban yee: Oe 35 AEE LO) O RIVA Nill © USE pate soak oie ae eee COS Woe Bite cant ai hehe Sty nig. ee ie seate mm SR oUn 37 DAR Ma BUILDINGS OF JAMES, Ni NVHURE 22 tao crs sere oie cueko iets he, 4 cae eon ten 40 NOSHUAR CI ARIKA PD ACK cues meta Snie pets acetera sr Tytne fhe cMetiL er ortnis (tg eee wee mon at 54 ARANDA KEP Tse ORM Sd. Olav epee Swan ccnp Ma MN eee cate alka rcte an eee eae mE a 56 STP AGCRM LS TILA Ta pied lee, wv me Saeki Pie Dun as ene Aue Pty te Weie big ity © Alty CHaarak ite etn a a se eM ae e Si EVAR ORD WE ANIKNO DE ORS? Olina te ae See raclai eee ier rare Annum Uy cree ane ec 60 BOSTONSDIANIKNO TE} 1O Dito? Ori scree spot a lnceee We eee eee ak ROR ene een a eee 61 BROWN AO HTC EIR S sl/l pee sk oR ee aL rt etd rae an See Mee aye her yer ater 65 REE VEAN UE tees @E Pity heen ks 2 Pe, ley. une Bre Pant ers ERS, gd ue ene a eRe 2 GRAND ARMY VETERANS, SONS OF VETERANS, CADETS, AND SCHOOL GIRLS,
INA SHY KONI GAU El D Ante tes LO) Lg De AN Ce ee AB ND CaN Ae hy Beaton are ratctca ia alo cd cs aid cio lole 80 CADETS IN FRONT OF SOLDIERS’ MONUMENT, MEMORIAL Day, 1911............ 81 LISAD STONE OBS FANN AT O1eDSe sreminethn oes etaicte tei aneetey me Fae hcyen Pwariteeucee tare atte ce areueiees 84 EOOTSTONES OR SLELANINAH® OGD Sent bee eee PRU 4 eee 2 Ce Sa Be fe So teen ees 85 Orne BUDTOWs BRIDGE eACROSS" CHICOPEE EINIVORE Era ieice einen cle eerie ena 94 LUDLOW RESERVOIR WITH GATE-HOUSE AND DWELLING......................- 101 FOMEnOES GEORGE A NERELMUBBAR Dts scat to Se OME ntnpaeae crt aes SLO Ok Uacacut oie a eataanneirne 104 RET TA Voa PnUIe Nee Rae IACVIRIR NG ce kow tapes alate tie SP A ise ein bate. Ga saaen cote cetera 105 See DAN a ELS BIRD oll OUST Ht 2k So city as Scab ape eee Ace nee Bie uictra rom See tenemos te 106 INTERIOR) AWD OW SAVIN GSUIRIAINIKeg? seen oe rg aang eoedahe ee Pence irene eee ce 110 LEWD OW; «GOURD ROO Meine eee Se Mee EG, co nimi aR Shae) Serame sua 2 nena AA red ose 113 HUBBARD w ViEMORDTATCIETRRIAR V1 182 meu sek lk 2 Se a Akge oD a ceah ban el ed reenter 115 SADDEBBAGS) MHORMP RIV) DELONGING, DOMASHBEL | BURRH aac eeeeeen eee eee 116 SWORD, SASH, AND BELT PRESENTED TO CapTAIN H. A. HUBBARD BY THE TOWN OF
TE UD OW ep OR ee ate iets el RI 7s (Ce tre Bn poe ae Rg eR vind Nal ob ae aly [EWDE OWE LLOSEIURAT ws UID TN Gat tes Bee cnn 28 Bt alle Cle ani Sea ee Peaceder | test or Oe ei tt rer aR 119 EDWARD sb ARIE (GEAPMUAING Sten coe Miso 8 rd ce Bis Bla ok TaN Ty ek epeceaie oad ee eee 122 EVTIRS Tae VE DIN Ga OUSE ris ead ar Mik mas tdoals Cel rein t Hers Sae (oath Ali core AD Ae atm Det ate 126 RE WelNe OURS GUURC Hibs WILE DENG » os cies nya ciere cy alae sea we au ersten ep nA eas eee neereea 132 PR Sie CONGRIE GATTO NAIu @EiUiR GE yale UDI OWin @iEyNiIEE Ros ee er eee ee 133 PARSONAGE OF FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, LUDLOW CENTER............. 136 RS Ve O TI AHe LED DENG: SSID) Kean fia SS Se, Waals cae SU ia OO a Aa chia) t abst Slray tae lon 149 FREE Vere eee 5 an VERT GH Tunic es Nee cer. aes ae re IE Ey ws nd ee in eee ae 153 PAMESAO SiiviNie LCE ND Alert tk a5 Seana) 03) SS aay yp ai sys Ce, NE tO NNT er tne ene 169 IRS Ty C OMMUCINTONG SERVICE ata Wee ie See Shi ea 5 rad, ty TRENT) MPP RR etiatIA Boers rapes meme lla OVpe ViErHTODISin CHURCH eATeIEUDEOW A GENDER Gs s0 borin ieee onani eciee ee oe 176 LEN ERTORMORM Ub THODISH . @HURCHe 4 aac... seein acetate ha cians oie ae ethane 183 NE wal Vin iHODisty GHUR GH sO UD OWs VIbLbAGEe smn hel-tmee aeictcont cise es east 185 UNTONGHIUIRGEH Gil S45 meter. Nan an = Poets ru abe MA) Ayia nara, Pir wa eM WIR, Rt P el sin aap 187 METHODIST CHURGCH», |IENIKS VIELE ie 2 ees cieis tictas ait cepa cuan oe peepoud weisea ein eis: oars oe 191 Lom One COs lOHNeIVIT SBR owas iy heehee cena ha Gi eRe ate Oise a eri ccns sees 191 WINTONS GER CHAO 0 Spiers haan: Jaa ePN mocked Lee eT tan x Gn, Rll oe Ne enter aye Spence: tome eh pA 196 SAAN D RE WES PISeO PAIN GHUIRCHity chee tert eles Si eee ere ae eestor en ae. 200 SLAVANDRE WES Se MPISCOPAL | CHmURGCH—[INTERTOR = sin ciao sci cciie an eis eens 201 Sie (DANG A PAT OIE m GUR CE aera, tat mere Ra ele Seted an Atl S Sythe Meester in a PR Pe oe mare 205 NG ISUD OW a DVATRNIE Rear rn ie ere iy Ry Beer ioe aby!) RUIN Spo oh a, gees ee ees 207 CALKINS’ CHAIRS, AND BOTTLES FROM LUDLOW GLASS WORKS................. 208
XIV List OF ILUSTRDIONS
SLR AAR RTS VETTE vate sa syrah chair sais haa cesta ots EES ROR eae OI ee et en 209 AR GHABEL OWE. AhalGAR VIER SoVITILTA nto hype hen: PAGS oe ges en eel cy Oe 210 USNR GALEN GEA TETES GARDE Sess sake cte toe och cos RES le tS sce So a 214 HENRY CARVER StMiniE ne ODL OW" CITVer si eye. iene ee nee ee ee ee ANS ANN OLD-TIMBW PICTURE OF IENKSVIGE BG... sca ltcech. se act i clatnns 6s een ee ee 218 ONE OF THE First Houses BUILT AT JENKSVILLE BY THE SPRINGFIELD MANU-
BA CRUREN Gy © ONMPANIVE Ts aie ch tig te cn en, Aire An "2 eT eam tt get al og 219 ONE OR He NOTES ISSUnDE BY. THE) COMPANYS 444) 4h. oe eo eee DIAM OFFICERS OF THE LUDLOW MANUFACTURING ASSOCIATES...................... 224 OFFICE BUILDING OF LUDLOW MANUFACTURING ASSOCIATES............... 26 INI@ SoG ye VINTTS oe nese ee ee ye ahs ce ON aaa oer fond” ae ale Nee Sh ee ee 227 RGSS RTT) GE aA oe AN eee OO oe nc al et Sica Se Re aoe CK Gh eS AN ee 229 BUSINDSSe be OCKem SHOWING OS Ta ORKICH Mai ri eieis clita ae eine a 230 AEE Cos LATEST Meta Cacia m nt Eh onal Tokeok Rieck te AGT ee Re ot ni ee ee nae Oe 231 STEVENS. VIBMORTATD MD UIEDING aa ce ati nik cla aac ee ey GRAMMARGSCHOOM: CHESTNUT OTREET. ...2...0 55 453mm oe aoe eee dee ate ae 234 TVA Soap GTA VETIVER) SNOT he 2h he eT oh cone oe eens ne We ene 240 DR |RoWEPLIANNUMASMNESIDENGCE.. 3. sujcutomeiale ie ace cna eee ae eee 242 WD EO Wi ELTG EA SCHOO peta asic SEs Ne Ect ea ch eRP n smatn AT 245 SGHOOEMCOMMIRREERANDUASSESSORS 9 oe 9 a8 och ene ee ee Dy) BN VATINGD TIN GRAN VARV Teck thes opens fr oc inte ste ar AL oe eke wk Uy NOR eS ae 261 ETS MOUS Te eae ACW II) Es Veer [Ral G EUAN Ie eee cer tod cee Scar egs pen ent oe a a 268 ENT AMEN SEUROUN RI TN PSE R ra 8s in. freed! costsSead te av mova tones eat OM ae ee 271 DMT AMIE SUNVIRESONMOLUANINIUM. 00 280 <u tails) WE Sey Ais spe enn cages reese oe ee 278 oa SLUMS NIECE a ANINTIM SAINI in Eli Rew) © Gi yal ol eree eet ene eevee ae 280 INFACT ED AUNT WANG ONT OMIGUATRIRITS Sr ficrts ark ate esc ce eee Sie eae etc ue aera St en eracteaee D0) ASME S ASN ERS ONG Ua state rated Shing: cate Doe ctante Pete ie Cee ae IME ee ee ara 285 CAPTAINS EE NR Ver Ae ENUB BARD! f. :pns0 See leeae sh, catia ee cieel tok: mtu ee tae eee 289 AIDED eV LTB RIO ROGER Seb iba ote ce SMT coe eee eae TE ER Ea Loe aera 293 1D Ri SAAIRONH| ese VANDI Rita. «. crate eA ea ese ane ome Menus Waco lea era Cane eres etna 297 IWANIER UR GEETS Ra IMRT ERB ny Se en ae cae eee tah acer, Meagan Rago 301 DEACONBETEISHAGMEAVIN ORE ARSONS ono eee ee oe ee ee ee eee 304 GHAREES HD BD ERa ROO Diet ay vate feck cot chins s CRIN te OR eee eee 307 CoD SROODPAND SE EEntheiRTENDS! cic. soc de oes ee tne ee ee ene 309 Aes EE EIRUAIN OOD wees rare aes Sia techie Bes Be avid te caah ies Seng ee GARE a ee ee 310 VERS shi) fe DE NCEE RAO OD ae rach hs nee act bysid Soe ictrseegh ease? NORA i oN ae en 310 ID EACONDAND NURS SeATAVACSTIKGE Gu Wk chs i ee he We eee 312 LAAN? (Gy Ninen oie Aue Wie dit, IMbieima es CWaaen nese aaecwoatace ds ocouseeobaoce 336 COLONED. JOHN INIIDT BRAND CRAMTEN «6.0 Lice deucter tiyo e Ubusicta hone alah, ae ee 427 SONSHORBAS ATE SIR OOD) es oils bis cya tal rely he sie su aia, a ean A es 453 GHARTFES GAT BVVIEDED TS Sears ete tee eet EP oe RRS We I ne A A RRC 471 INTRASR: VIN OREN GG 2d Coleone ta alg ae ihm Care Les Wait NR ats, SO Ga ea a eS 476 FIOME ORM IVIRS s \VAATRIE Nis IDS EyUIDISESR sont noe eee nie oe er at ee 480 FST SHAG ENUTOIE RET OUISE oye th eerie a ete erty Soh CER Gana, a Aone Rete ge 481 sia BR eBURRY HOMES READE =. ort <tc, hie ea akcieis e ee eee 483 FIOMES OR FDENRV: AGS VIUINSING Aa cae cteees dict ce Ae oe 2 ee ees era 484 FARM BULEDINGS Oni Css D 2 SR OOD Ms. bos st tenons een a eee 486 are VIOSESRROODMR EACH gal ci4os te ittees Cet) hres ae ee ee 488 PRES FOR AINKIGTING NASH lel OUSE teow Sock eae ake om oN cope ee ee 489 HOMESORy GHAR RSH S je BENNBET hata vee cuts ciao eens oe ee ee eee 490 MOMEZON EDWARD) EyARInEs (GEAR MAINT ray sere Asie ciere neces ieee eae eee eee 492 Jaliaiay IDAMON [slow Jap, Iboinuony (Gane,.o 5 ncecocg sen sacccnuoobacancousseue 493 HOME-/ORSRUTHEREORD sy RIR Vis) eins one t cern ont Ree ee ee eee 494 FIGMESOR VEIENRVY Te GAR VIB Ri crest eae See oe BC aE a Ee eee 495 FOMESORSARTHUR clea ARINIDR dee ies stencil eee a eg 496 GENTENNWPATE « COMMIMUNEE so A. ooh wate ee ee ree imeeneac iet hips ae es ee a eee 1| (1)
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ANTE-LUDLOW
Who constitute a town—The red man—Indian names—Relics of a departed race—An ancient armory—Legend of camp fires—Of the Leap—Of the alleged Facing Hills murder—The tenure of soil—Springfield of old— Charles I1.—A Yankee trick—The commons—Sections of commons—Line of commons—Allotments—The river—Early settlers—The tar business—Joseph Miller—Others—A wooing—Glimpse at the region—Church service—Prop- osition for district—Will they get an organization?
A COUNTRY, a state, a town, consists of the inhabitants thereof. Whatever the place is, or fails to be, depends not upon the conditions of its soil or weather, so much as on the people enjoying or braving the same. Spain, in the most favored of latitudes, may fail to influence its nearest neighbors, while a band of hardy colonists among the frozen seas, singing their sagas while reefing the sails of rude smacks, may make the name of Iceland famous. Our first acquaintance, then, will be with the earlier inhabitants of the territory now known as Ludlow.
The history of the region before the paleface had appropriated these lands is preserved only in tradition. Some portions of these broad acres were, evidently, favorite haunts of the red man. The names Mineachogue and Wallamanumps preserve the flavor of the aboriginal. The former name seems to have been applicable to the whole eastern region of Wilbraham and Ludlow, and signifies “‘Berry land.’’ The latter word seems to have been applied to falls of the ““Chicuepe,’’ now at Ludlow Mills and Indian Orchard. Places are pointed out in the town which the red man made his favorite resorts. At one spot the discoloration of the rocks is alleged to have come from the frequent camp fires of the Indians. At other places, both in the extreme north and all the plain region, the frequency with which arrowheads are found, and chippings of flint and stone, indicate that another nation than our own once used this region as the seat of an extensive armory.
20 HISTORY OF LUDLOW
Of the legendary lore of the territory, there seem to have been some specimens. After the destruction of Springfield by fire, October 4, 1675, the warriors retreated eastward six miles, as we are informed by the annalists. The place of their encampment is said to have been on the peninsula, in the south part of the town, known as the Indian Leap, where twenty-four smoldering camp fires and some abandoned plunder were all the vestiges remaining the next morning.
Of course, the story of all stories concerning the Indians, within the limits of the present town, is the familiar one respecting the leap of Roaring Thunder and his men, in the time of King Philip’s war. Although the account is wholly legendary, there is therewith so fine a flavor of the aboriginal, that it has ever been popular among those fond of folklore. It is reported that the band of warriors was camping on the sequestered peninsula, lulled into quiet by the sound of the roaring fall of water, precipitously tumbling scores of feet over the rocks, within a half mile of the stream bed. Some aver, that upon this point there were spread the wigwams of the Indians, and quite a company of them made the place their home; that at the time these tragic events occurred, the red men had captured one of the women from Masacksick (Long- meadow), and were pursued by the intrepid settlers, and finally dis- covered in their rude home on the banks of the river. In the midst of their quiet and solitude, came the alarm that the white men were closely following up their trail into the thicket. There was no retreat. They had taught the paleface the meaning of ‘“‘no quarter,’ and could expect naught but retaliation. Only one way of escape presented itself, and that was into the jaws of death. To the brink of the fearful precipice, then, before the backwaters of the corporation pond had reduced the distance a hundred feet, did the painted braves dash on, and over into the wild waters and upon the ragged rocks they leaped, directly into the arms of hungry death. Roaring Thunder is said to have watched while each of his company leaped into the frightful chasm, and then, taking his child high in his arms, casting one glance back upon the wigwam homes, he followed the rest into the rushing waters. The pursuers looked, wonderingly, over the jutting sandstone walls; but one living redskin met their eyes, and he was disappearing among the inaccessible forest trees which skirted the other shore.
There have been received two accounts of the Indian Leap affair; one from Hon. G. M. Fisk of Palmer, the other from Hon. Edwin Booth
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of Philadelphia, both connoisseurs in local traditions. We give the points of divergence from the narration of the text. Mr. Fisk says:
The story purported to have come from a Spirit. The little island near the Leap was said to be the place where the Indians sat around their council fires and judged their captives. There used to be a cave in the rocks where, it was said, the chief had his headquarters, and I believe to this day there is a sort of hole in the ledge where the Indians pounded their corn.
The story was that a party of Indians had assembled on the island to judge a captive, when they were surprised by the whites, fled to the shore, leaving in their haste their weapons behind them, and betook themselves to the little peninsula forming the Indian Leap. Here they were trapped, as there was no alternative but surrender or plunge down the precipice. They hesitated a moment, when the old chief took his little son in his arms, gave the war- whoop and plunged down the precipice. The rest followed, and all were killed except a squaw, who caught on an overhanging limb, but a shot from the pur- suing party put an end to her.
The following poem by Mr. Fisk was published in pamphlet form in 1844. The Autumn frosts had sear’d the leaf, And weary peasant stored his sheaf; And cold December bent his bow To shoot the wintry storms of snow.
“Twas night, the curfew chime had past, And footsteps traced the sidewalk fast; The Moon rode victor of the night
And bathed the village in her light.
I wander’d forth in thoughtful mood, To muse on Earth’s unequal brood; When sad imagination’s guide
Led me along the river side.
One special path I chose to trace
And in its windings kept my pace, Which led o’er mounds from tree to tree And overlooked the Chick-o-pee.
A little isle that breaks the stream Pale Luna showed me by her gleam. I paused awhile, the spot I viewed, And then again my course pursued.
HISTORY OF LUDLOW
But suddenly beneath my feet A precipice my gaze did meet; And far down in the rocky shade The river with the ledges played.
And from its wild and bold career
A voice ascended to my ear,
That seemed to speak in verbal tones Of tragic days long past and gone.
Long, long I gazed far down the steep, Where foaming waters never sleep; Until my brain reeled from its base, And caused me to my steps retrace.
Another path my feet betook,
That bound a grove by lengthy crook, Which I pursued o’er mound and ledge Until I reached the river’s edge.
And there beside an ancient tree
I sat myself in reverie;
Watching the ripples of the stream, That glisten’d in the moon’s pale beam.
The Autumn breeze went sadly by, With notes of grief and plaintive sigh; And through the branches o’er my head, It softly whispered of the dead.
My thoughts were turned to days of yore, When red men trod that very shore;
And while the truth upon me broke,
I raised my head and thus I spoke:—
“O! tell me now, thou moaning breeze, Ye gray old rocks and ancient trees, Tell me, sad river, in thy flow, Where is that race of red men now?”
Scarce had I spoke, when all around The cliffs gave echo to the sound, And whispering spirits flitted by, And climb’d the ledges wild and high.
Then on the lucent stream I gazed, Where meteors fell and faintly blazed, When I beheld with wonder, too,
An Indian in his bark canoe.
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My heart beat quick, then sank with fear, As he to me his course did steer.
And soon the wielding of his oar
Brought safe his bark unto the shore.
Scarce had he reached the river’s side Ere to its rocks he made a stride, And with a strong, intrepid hand
He drew his skiff upon the land.
Then, turning with an air so bold It made my very blood run cold, Towards my seat his steps he bent, As if on some revenge intent.
An instant more and at my feet
The warrior stood in form complete; His plumes and dress in tatters hung, His knife was gone and bow unstrung.
He upward gazed upon the sky, While lightning darted from his eye. And at the sight fear from me fled, And unto him I spake and said :—
“O! tell me, red man, whence thou came, What is thy errand, what thy name, Where is the race that claims thy bow, And where are all thy kindred now?”
He turned his eyes, they fell on me. He spoke and said, “Paleface, tis thee That brought me to this rocky shore, Which often I have traced before.
“T am not mortal, but my name Was Wa-ha-waugh, ‘tis still the same, And from the land of spirits fair I’ve come with dress I once did wear.”
Here then he paus’d, and dropp’d his head. I spoke again to him, and said,
“Immortal red man, if thou art, A tale I wish thee to impart.
“T’ve heard of one about yon cove, Where I this very night did rove; And since this land is known to you I ween you'll tell me if ‘tis true.
HISTORY OF LUDLOW
“O! tell me of the tawny race That once this shore were wont to trace, And tell me why thy bow’s unstrung, And why thy quiver is unslung?
“’Tis wondrous strange to see thee here, At first thou fill’d my soul with fear, But now I trust thou mean’st no ill, Then answer me if ’tis thy will.”
He turned to me, as was my choice, And thus began with hollow voice, While his wild eye flash’d deathly fire, As if in rage of kindred ire:
“Paleface, thou need’st not harbor fear, The Great High Spirit sent me here; He heard thee long for truth invoke And thus to me the Spirit spoke:
“Go, red man, go, thou chieftain brave, Go tell the paleface of thy grave; Go tell him one sad tale of yore, And of the wrongs thy kindred bore.’
“At his command I quickly came. You know my errand and my name. And now a tragic tale I'll tell,
Of what unto my kin befell.
‘When o’er these fields in gone-by days, The wild red deer were wont to graze And oft while sporting free apace,
Fell bleeding by the hunter’s chase.
“i
A mighty race my kindred were
That roamed the forest wild and fair, They built their wigwams thickly round And happiness their firesides crown’d.
“These pleasant lands were all our own And where we chose we made our home. No prowling foe our track besought Nor cruel wrongs our vengeance taught.
“This eddying river in its flow Has often borne the light canoe, And here the wild duck sporting came, But floated bleeding by our aim.
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i) un
“But fleeting years produced a change, O’er winding vale and mountain range. Our scenes of comfort turned to war, Which ended life and mark’d a scar.
“The pale men o’er the ocean came, And left a land of wealth and fame. We spread our blankets for their bed, And for their food our venison spread.
‘Nt first they were a little band, Weak and defenseless in our land; But soon they strengthen'd in our view, And to a mighty nation grew.
“They cleared our forests, kill’d our game, And built their hamlets on the plain. They robb’d our streams, and spoil’d our chase And dealt ungrateful with our race.
‘We saw their wrongs and their intent And on revenge our hearts were bent. We bared our knives, our bows we strung, And on our shoulders quivers hung.
“We burned their dwellings in the night And scalp'd their young men in the fight. We bound our captives to the tree And seal’d with death their destiny.
“Our council fires that nightly burned Were fed with blood when squads returned. The victim’s cry and dying groan Could only for our wrongs atone.
“But ah! the white men were too strong, They bravely fought my brothers long; They slew our bravest in the field,
And we at length were fore'd to yield.
“And on the lands that skirt this stream Was witnessed once a tragic scene. Here died the remnant of my tribe The end of which I will describe.
“On yonder island which you saw My little band once sat in awe. Two captives there in terror stood To wait their doom, be what it should.
26
HISTORY OF LUDLOW
“T scarce had gave the dread command, Ere we beheld a paleface band, Displaying pomp and martial skill, Come rushing down yon rising hill.
“Fear filled our hearts, we seized the oar And darted swiftly to the shore, Leaving our captives at the stake, Determined our escape to make.
“But ah! our fate we soon did know For we could not evade the foe. With deathly shots my band they drove Until we reached yon fearful cove.
“And there our doom, our death was sure For no escape could we procure. Our fate ill fortune strong did bind With cliff before and foe behind.
“Our choice was given, though seal’d with woe, To yield to them, or leap below,
Whiche’er we did was certain death,
But soon we chose to plunge beneath.
“Within my arms I took my son And to the awful brink I run, Then one wild, deathly whoop I gave, And cried, ‘Come on, my warriors brave.’
“O! then what pain my bosom felt,
I drew the hatchet from my belt
And hurled it down beneath my feet. Then headlong plunged my death to meet.
‘““\ moment and the scene was o’er, My brothers breathed in life no more. Each of my tribe, unflinch’d and brave, Had sought with me a watery grave,
“Save one old squaw by accident Escaped the death of her intent, But soon a bullet from the foe Laid her within the river's flow.
“Thus, paleface, we red men died, By cruel hands that sought for pride. And by yon cove where whirlpools play Our fractured bones in silence lay.
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bo ~~
“You ask me why my bow’s unstrung, And why my quiver is unslung. Alas, the tale too true I’ve told, We died defenseless, but were bold.
“Long years have passed since that dread day. My kin are gone, and where are they? Ah! paleface, ‘twas thy cruel race That drove them from their native place.
“And now where yonder dwellings rise And towering steeple stares the skies, The red man’s hut once quiet stood Well lined with furs and stored with food.
“But all have gone, go thou, pale son, Go, tell thy kin of wrongs they’ve done. But now the Spirit calls me home, Farewell, farewell, my tale is done.”’
One moment more and he was gone. I gazed around, I was alone.
A gloomy aspect nature wore,
But that red chief I saw no more.
I homeward turn’d my strolling feet, And soon they trac’d the village street. And when I reached my dwelling door, The bell pealed forth the midnight hour.
I paused and sadly gazed around
But deathly silence reigned profound,
Save the low wind that sighing came
With piercing breath that chill’d my frame.
Gladly I sought my couch to rest,
While sadness settled in my breast.
But soon my thoughts were hush’d in sleep And I forgot the Indian Leap.
Note.—The story of the Great Cove, I believe no history contains, but it has been handed down from generation to generation and bears the character of truth. In the fields around this spot are often found Indian arrows, knives, etc., which give evidence that the aboriginal tribes formerly occupied the spot. The serious wanderer who visits this place finds himself doubly repaid for his pains. As the spectator stands upon the dizzy brink, gazing down upon the foaming waters dashing from rock to rock, the scene awakens in the mind the sublimest thoughts that imagination can produce. A beautiful grove borders its edge, afford- ing a pleasant walk to those that desire it, and it is often enjoyed by the residents of the neighboring villages.
28 HISTORY OE LUDLOW
The account by Mr. Booth will probably be more pleasing to young lady readers, from the different standpoint it assumes. We regret the necessity upon us to cut out any of the interesting narration. His
story is abridged as follows:
On this narrow tract of land tradition says there lived in all their native simplicity a small tribe of the red men. They had for a long succession of years there erected their rude wigwams, their wives and children had there rested amid the most retired and happy security, whilst he who was master of the lodge was chasing the frightened fawn or with eager eyes watched the stealthy fox, or, reclining upon some favorite rock, barbed the darting fish. They lived in peace with all their Indian neighbors and spent their time in hunting or in fishing. The squaw or little one greeted the return of the red man to his wigwam with the smile of affection, and listened with interest to the tale of his hair-breadth escapes. The chieftain, called by the English, Roaring Thunder, cultivated a spirit of love and peace among his band.
Philip of Pokanoket had been roused from that state of peace and harmony which so long had existed between his father and the English. He had put out the pipe of peace, and the tomahawk and scalping-knife were ready for their bloody use. By the most artful means he had aroused nearly all the Indians of Massachusetts and Connecticut to take arms with him against the paleface. Cries of the helpless, sounding terror and distress, were heard far and wide through the colonies. The bloody tales of Springfield and Deerfield massacres had been recited, and the inhabitants assembled at their places of worship with arms in their hands, and when they rested at night it was with one arm encircling the child trembling with fear and with the other grasping the firelock, expecting to hear the dread footsteps of the Indian ere the sun arose. Years rolled around, and the mighty chief and many of the tribes were conquered.
In all this struggle the little band of Caughmanyputs were the true friends of both red and white man. They harmed no one. On their isolated peninsula they lived harmoniously. The land they occupied was barren, and the white men were justified in forcing the Indian from the fruitful soil in other parts. This, we could readily suppose, would offer no temptation for a war of extermination against Roaring Thunder and his little band. But this could not be so. The Christian paleface was envious of the happiness of the Caughmanyputs, and was more dis- posed to believe their happiness arose from some hidden treasure in the earth rather than from contentment or domestic enjoyment. Preparations for an ex- termination were commenced and soon complete.
It was the habit of Roaring Thunder to take his little son of twelve with him each morning in the pleasant season to the extremity of the neck, and tell him of the land where dwelt the Great Spirit, and to which they must soon go. He would there pay devout homage to that Spirit whose voice he had heard in mighty thunder or roaring wind. After returning one morning from his service to the wigwams, where his people were amusing themselves in innocent pastimes, the startling
ANTE-LUDLOW 29
intelligence came that a band of soldiers was seen approaching. Roaring Thunder at once commanded his men to arms to defend their soil and loved ones, gathering them into the narrow passage which led to their houses, and there waited to defend dearest rights. The soldiers, led on by their captain, advanced with slow and cau- tious step, and the first intimation of the presence of the Indians was a shower of arrows among them. Falling back for a moment, they fixed bayonets and charged. The Indians retreated to their wigwams, where they again attempted a defense, but were soon driven from their shelter by the merciless palefaces, who, still advanc- ing, heeded not the cries of children or lamentations of squaws. They drove the band of Caughmanyputs to the consecrated rock. Obeying the command of their chief, in an instant a score of red forms were seen leaping into the air, then sinking amid the foaming surge below. All but Roaring Thunder and his boy had gone. The old man clasped to his breast the black-eyed boy, as with uplifted eyes he committed him to the care of the red man’s God. Then turning slowly around, as though he would even from his enemies conceal the dreadful deed, he dashed him on the rocks below, and gazing saw the waters hurry off his mangled form. Raising himself to his utmost height, conscious of his majesty of form, he takes a survey of his once happy home. The objects of his affection are not there. He gazes far upon his hunting grounds, his fishing-places and his target-sports, and to them he waves a deep farewell, then with an eye of vengeance sharp he looked upon his deadly foes,—throwing up his keen dark eyes into the blue arch of Heaven, he gave a terrific spring and a savage yell, and fell upon the rocks below, a mangled corpse,—the last of the Caughmanyputs. His spirit went To safer world in depths of woods embraced, Some happier Island in the watery waste
Where slaves once more their native land behold, No fiends torment,—no Christians thirst for gold.
One other account, perhaps quite as probable as those already related, bears a later date. Ona prominent part of Facing Hills rocks there rises an abrupt preci- pice, from which eminence a surpassingly grand outlook upon the region is to be ob- tained. This rock is sup- posed to have been the thea- ter of one of those tragic events, too common in the days of early settlers. (In 1907 Frederick L. Burr built a bungalow and barn upon
INTERIOR OF F. L. Burr’s BUNGALOW
this rock.) Away down the valley of the Chicuepe was a little
30 HISTORY OR FEUDEOW:
hamlet of hardy adventurers—so runs the story. Among the com- pany was a family in which were two women. Surprised by the blood- thirsty savages one day, when the men were out in the fields at work, one of the two found an opportunity to escape to the cellar and hide
BUNGALOW OF F. L. BurRR ON FaciING HILL RocK
under a tub. The other was so unfortunate as to become a prisoner, and accompanied the captors as they speeded away up the valley. Soon as possible the settlers were aroused, and started in pursuit. It was a fearful chase, and a fruitless one; for the Indians, hurrying their booty along with them, reached this point on Facing Rocks, and, close pursued, put the victim out of misery by a tragic death. This event probably happened July 26, 1708. It bears a strong resemblance to the account of the massacre of the Wrights at Skipmuck. (See Holland’s Western Mass. vol: 12 °158:;)
But the day of the red man is drawing to a close, and other claimants to the soil have appeared. The record of the purchase of the lands here- abouts from the Indians is very clear, and shows that the settlers had all the rights of tenure which could flow from such transfers of property as gave the white man his possessions. That a connected account of
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the settlement of the region may be before the reader, it will be necessary to go back a little.
The original boundaries of Springfield circumscribed a region twenty- five miles square, including, west of the river, the land now comprising the towns of West Springfield and Agawam, the city of Holyoke, and part of Southwick and Westfield in Massachusetts, and Suffield in Con- necticut; on the east side of the river, besides Springfield, Longmeadow, Wilbraham, Chicopee, and Ludlow in this State, and Enfield in Con- necticut. So Ludlow comprises the northeasterly section of the Spring- field of long ago.
The grant of land to William Pynchon, in 1636, included all this region, but no one had laid claim to the easternmost and westernmost limits. In the latter part of the century the oppressive policy and evident hos- tility of the English king, Charles II., gave color to the fear lest he should take measures to cause these out-regions to revert to the crown.
Massachusetts had grown and prospered greatly and at the Restora- tion had become a powerful commonwealth. Soon Charles II., jealous of her increasing importance, proceeded to hinder it. He accused the people of transcending their charter and violating the Navigation Acts and finally succeeded in 1684 in having the charter annulled by the high court of chancery. However, the Springfield colonists did not propose to be cheated out of their wood-lots by the crown, and so, with Yankee ingenuity, devised a plan to ward off the danger impending. In town meeting, February 3, 1685, they voted that, after reserving three hun- dred acres for the ministry, and one hundred and fifty acres for schools, on the east side of the river, and due proportions for like purposes, on the west side, the remainder should be divided among the one hundred and twenty-three heads of families, or legal citizens. With the ministry and school lots, there were thus one hundred and twenty-five proprietors, among whom the land was to be divided. Not that there were, good reader, that number of actual citizens, for it seemed no harm to add to the list the names of all male persons under age.
The ‘‘commons” * east of the ‘‘Great River’? seem to have included two sections, bounded by a line extending north and south; the line on the east side commenced at Newbury Ditch, so called, on the eastern boundary of the land formerly owned by William Clark, now by Ruther- ford H. Ferry, and extended from the hill west of the Norman Lyon home-
‘ For more complete account, see “‘ Mill Privilege of H. I. Carver.’
’
SZ HISTORY OF EUDEOW
stead, now owned by Lucien N. Lyon. The Lyon house and barn, now burned, stood a little south of the present home of George Gates and on the same side of the road. This boundary line passed southward near the Ezekiel Fuller place (where Hiram Davenport now lives) behind the rear of the Haviland house (John O’Neil’s) and near the crossing of the Springfield, Athol and Northeastern railroad with the Three Rivers road, across the river, and near the Stony Hill road, in Wilbraham. The land divided, as above described, was the outward commons, eastward of this line. Each of the one hundred and twenty-five took a share in each of the three sections east, and the two west of the Great River. None of this outer common land was considered very valuable, but the method of division indicated was certainly fair.
Proprietors of the Outward Commons, East of the River, North Division, called in records ‘‘First or Upper Division’’:
No. of Lot. Name. Rodds. Foots. In. | No. of Lot. Name. Rodds. Foots. In. *1 Jonathan Burt, Jr., 5 13 7 | 27 John Keep’s estate, One aa *2 Eliakim Cooley, 11s, 1s 69) 728 JosepheEly, tt S521 0) *3 John Warner, iD ey *29 Increase Sikes, Sr., 105 8 20
4 James Warriner, Sr., 20 0O 8 30 James Osborn, Do (Sane, 5 Jonathan Ball, ii ki. *31 Obadiah Miller, Sr., Orn tGiaeo. 6 Jonathan Morgan, Se lO aemlann es? Benjamin Stebbins, Sr.,5 4 10 (Ora MastGeo: Colton 255 » eames | 33) Obadiah Cooley. Sr,) 320) 5) 8 8 Mr. John Holyoke, 26 4 O | 34 Widow Beamon, $12 0 9 Widow Parsons, LOM LO 38 35 Joseph Leonard, LO Onna, 10 Japhet Chapin, De | 36 James Dorchester, 1 itil 910)
*11 Samuel Stebbins, 9 1d “9. 37 Thomas Vaylom Sr, GA Wives 12 Dea. Benj’n Parsons, 12 6 7 | 38 Thomas Swetman, 2 NOG ae 13 Samuel Osborn, iS UG) $9) Les John vilitchcock; 22.52 (4 iithomas! Menick= Si Si 15) 9 7 *4() Widow Sikes, Sr., YQ © 6 15 William Brooks, Op 8g 29 41 Nathaniel Bliss, Sr., 9 8 10
*16 Samuel Marshfield, 1S aa 2) uno 42 Nathaniel Sikes, Sr., A Oe eo
*17 Ebenezer Jones, Oia HO) 43 Capt. Thomas Colton, 10 13 8
*18 Benjamin Knowlton, 5 11 O 44 Samuel Miller, Set eO 19 Samuel Jones, 3 13 0 | 45 Peter Swink, 3° 157 gies 20 Victory Sikes, i eg! Wl geno 46 John Colton, 1. 0) 21 Obadiah Miller, Jr., DAS 47 Luke Hitchcock, Sr., 10 7 6
*22 James Petty, Ones *48 James Munn, 1 <i 0 23 Joseph Marks, dinae Ging OD 49 Jonathan Ashley, 14 11 4 24 Samuel Ball, 12s Ae) 50 Thomas Jones, es 5 () 25 Daniel Cooley, 135: OS 5 51 Thomas Taylor, 1) SLOSS £0 26 Ephraim Coltonnon,. 15.110 5s 52 John Dumbleton, 19 BN
No. of Lot. Name. Rodds. Foots. In. No. of Lot. Name. Rodds. Foots. In. oo: Jonathan Taylor's est; 5 11 0 90 Joseph Cooley, oF 141 6 *54 David Throw, ee 6 91 John Withers, LAD 2, O Soe NathanelsBurt som, 25 0). 4 92 Samuel Owen, Oa Oma 56 Samuel Ely, Sr., 11 7 . © 93 Miles Morgan, 10) il i@ 57 Thomas Stebbins, Slr 153.6 94 Benjamin Cooley, (ie on 0 58 Samuel Bliss, Jr., LO AO *95 Col. Pynchon, Iss) 15 © 59 John Hannon, © 13 @ 96 Nathaniel Munn, 3 & INO 60 Lt. Abel Wright, 16 14 4 97 John Baggs, childrenof6 2 5 61 John Dorchester, DP, be eres XS) 98 John Crowfoot, Ci cn) 62 Thomas Cooper, ey 7 3 99 John Miller, yp ey 0)
*63 Widow Bedortha, Ay 3: 4 100 Thomas Day, Sr., Lomo" 3 64 John Clarke, Dae one lal 101 Joseph Leonard, tae 83-99 65 John Stewart, (ie ae |(") 102 Widow Horton, IG 2 66 Rowland Thomas, 12 6 7 103 Henry Rogers, Oe ons 67 Daniel Beamon, ik 8 .@ 104 Dea’n Jonathan Burt, 12 6 7 68 Samuel Bedortha, 4 14 3 | 105 Rev. Mr. Glover; Wl» & 69 Joseph Ashley, pill eZ! 106 Nicholas Rust, i 200 70 Widow Munn, 2 NO 10 107 James Barker, oy te0 71 Edward Foster, OD it 4! 108 Henry Chapin, OR Aas) 72 Richard Wait, (hie veh y 60) 109 Lott for the Ministry, 37. 4 0O 73 John Bliss, 135 V9 5/0) 1.0) Jobntleanal; Wifi LO? 74 Isaac Morgan, (Oy liar 111 Thomas Miller, Saree 16 ionJohn Scott; (ene lia ee 112 Thomas Gilbert, Ss Oana 76 Ensign JosephStebbins,15 12 0 113 David Morgan, Tikes), wsK0) 77 Henry Gilbert, Ase 2 10 114 Samuel Bliss, 3d, 2 14 4 78 Widow Riley, AP Sues!) 115 Joseph Bedortha, OF AG a)
279) john Burt. Sr, Sa 10: 116 Joseph Crowfoot’s est., 7 14 O 80 John Norton, Sr ores 117 Ensign Cooley’s estate, 6 9 10 81 School Lot, Seaton 10) 118 David Lombard, ee IL ala 82 Goodwife Foster’s est., 9 7 4 119 Samuel Terry, Sr.; OR Oa 83 Lazarus Miller, Dey HO. 50 120 Abel Leonard, ee!)
*84 James Stephenson, Pr Aes | 121 Nathaniel Pritchard, 8 1 11 85 John Clark’s estate, Opeeleiiae? 122 Isaac Colton, 1a TS ie Sa) 86 Phillip Mattoon, Sy lle 0) 123 Charles Ferry, 14 10 11 87 Edward Stebbins, Seen: cae 124 Benjamin Leonard, 10 13 13° 88 Joseph Thomas, OO a2 125 John Barber, 0 11 4 89 Samuel Bliss, Sr., L Se aes 8
Second, or Middle Division, north of the Chicopee River:
No. of Lot. Name. Rodds. Foots. In. No. of Lot. Name. Rodds. Foots. In. 1 Samuel Marshfield, SSPE L PHO 5 Samuel Stebbins, Ogle eS 2 Coll. Pynchon, Lose eS 19 6 James Stephenson, ft = pA oy 3 David Throw, Toit a) 7 Benjamin Knowlton, See 120 4 John Warner, 11 1 7 8 Joseph Stebbins, IS) 12) @
ANTE-LUDLOW
33
34 HISTORY OF LUDLOW
No. of Lot. Name. Rodds. Foots. In. No. of Lot. Name. Rodds. Foots. In. 9 Obadiah Miller, Jr., 0 S- 9) toaitohn Burt. St. spe EA) 10 Ebenezer Jones, (ato 16 James Petty, 4” 6 10 11 Eliakim Cooley, 11 il 17 Quartermaster Colton, 25 7 3 12 Jonathan Burt, Jr., Dali} ma ay 18 James Munn, j Mee UP a) 13 Widow Bedortha, A pee3) Fah 19 Joseph Ely, Po S55%:0 14 Increase Sikes, Jr., Oe CO) 20 Widow Sikes, Sr., OP On no
The list of the first division is from the records kindly furnished by Clerk Folsom of Springfield; those of the second from Stebbins’
On STEPSTONE OF ONE OF THE First Houses BUILT IN LUDLOW
Wilbraham, page 196. A glance at ancient deeds will identify many of these lots. Those drawing lots in Ludlow in both divi- sions are starred in the first. The dis- crepancy in names and amounts may occur from a _ varia- tiom in? the drat: first placed in good shape for preserva- tion a hundred years after the allotment, or from an error on the part of copyists, or from former mis- prints. Lots Nos. 33 to 39 were not far from Gilbert Atchin- son’s house; the school! lot; Now ole was in the range of the present Center
schoolhouse; No. 66 was near S. P. Parsons’, and No. 104 passed through D. K. Paine’s farm. Others can be readily traced. For a long period
the commons were free plunder, so far as pasturage, wood, or herbage
were concerned.
ANTE-LUDLOW 3
ur
The committee to run the outward and inward common line was Capt. Natha. Downing, Henry Burt, and Pelatiah Glover, the latter to arrange for a meeting of the committee. The allotment was made March 13, 1698-9. The commons are said to have extended four miles and forty rods to the Chicopee River.
A glance at the map will show that the northern section of the east outward commons, and a small portion of the middle section, lie to-day in the town of Ludlow. The shares were not equal, but according
ARTHUR D. KING’s House Formerly a tavern kept by Aaron Colton
to valuation of course varying much. It is said that the narrowest were eight feet wide, measured at sixteen feet to the rod, much to the perplexity of proprietors in following generations. These original territorial divisions may be seen to-day on Wilbraham mountain, indicated by the parallel lines of wall running east and west.
In the north section, east, the school and minister lots ran through Cedar Swamp and over the north end of Mineachogue mountain. The south boundary of the section must have passed not far from the south
36 HISTORY, ‘OF LUDEOW
shore of Wood pond, and past the Miller Corner school lot to the river. The Chicopee river seems generally to have been considered the dividing line between Ludlow and Wilbraham, but it is not entirely. There is a point at the southeast corner of Ludlow where Belchertown, Palmer, Wilbraham, and Ludlow join; the monument marking the begin- ning of these towns stands on the sidehill between the East Cemetery and the river. By a singular oversight, the hither shore of the stream seems in the case of both Ludlow and Wilbraham to have been fixed as the limit of the respective towns, leaving the Chicopee to flow uninter- ruptedly downward through the limits of Springfield, disowned by both towns on the borders.
This little section of the middle portion of the outward commons, east, has the honor of being the first settled in the territory since bearing the name of Ludlow. Who was the first settler is as yet a question un- decided. Tradition gives the post of honor to one Aaron Colton, who must have settled prior to1751. His home, once a tavern, where Arthur King now lives, was situated on the bluff just above the Chicopee river. James Sheldon, Shem Chapin, and Benjamin Sikes are said to have been living in the town at the same period. James Sheldon is supposed to have lived on the site occupied by Elijah Plumley’s red house, where the late Alexander Whitney lived; Benjamin Sikes, on his allotment of commons, at the place just north of the Mann farm, now E. J. Streeter’s; and Shem Chapin near the Samuel White farm, where James M. White now lives. Thus of the first four homes known in the town, three were in the outward commons. It is rumored that a man named Antisel occupied a log house on the edge of Facing Hills, subsisting on game, and that he antedates all these settlers. One Perez Antisel was deer- reeve in f7-
We read, also, that ‘‘about 1748, Mr. Abel Bliss, of Wilbraham, and his son, Oliver, collected in the town of Ludlow, and west and south part of Belchertown, then called Broad Brook, a sufficient quantity of pine, to make two hundred barrels of tar, and sold it for five dollars With the proceeds, Bliss built a fine dwelling house in
yy”)
per barrel. Wilbraham, the envy of all the region.
In 1751, came the family of Joseph Miller, braving the terrors and real dangers of a journey fourteen miles into the forest, away up the Chicopee river, to the Elihu J. Sikes place, later the home of Frank Sikes, now owned by the Collins Manufacturing Company. The friends
ANTE-LUDLOW ol
in their former home, West Springfield, mourned them as dead, and tra- dition has even stated that a funeral sermon was preached over their departure. Under their careful management, a pleasant home, charmed by the music of the running stream, was soon secured. As the wild forest trees succumbed to the prowess of the chopper, tender plants grew up in the home, and made the desert region glad by the echoes of childish prattle. They brought with them a female slave, who afterwards married. A little later, in 1756, Ebenezer Barber's eyes turned toward “Stony Hill,’ and, beholding acres of attractive land, sought out for
THE DoRMAN HOUSE
himself a home near Shem Chapin’s, in the inward commons. Mr. Barber’s home was later the Dea. Elisha T. Parsons place. It adjoins the farm of the late Gillen D. Atchinson on the north. The advent of others was, after this, quite frequent; so much so that when the town was incorporated, in 1774, there were from two to three hundred inhab- itants. In 1757 Jonathan Lumbard commenced to clear a farm in the upper part of Cherry Valley. In 1767, Joshua Fuller, probably bringing his father, Young Fuller, with him, came and cleared a spot just south
38 HisSTORY OF LUDEOW
of the old Methodist Church at the Center and made a home. This was later the Dorman place and is now owned by Charles M. Foster. No doubt this was the one built at that time as it was an old house seventy years ago, and has been lived in until a recent date. It was one of the houses where town meetings were held. Joshua Fuller was chosen one of two wardens and, in 1778, chosen one of three to hire a minister; one of the privileges of such a committee was to entertain candidates when preaching on trial. Stephen Burroughs, afterwards notorious, preached his first sermon here, under the assumed name of Davis, was entertained in this house and informed by Mr. Fuller that the people did not agree to hire him longer. This was also one of the places to post notices of. town meetings. James Kendall seems to have made the common line his eastern boundary, when he came into town, May 2, 1769. In 1770, Jonathan Burr, great-grandfather of Benjamin F. Burr, moved in ox carts, from Connecticut, and settled south from Mary Lyon’s (now Mrs. Solon Lyon’s) toward the mountain. Formerly there was a road leading to the house. In 1772, came Joel Willey to Miller Corner; while a young man from Wilbraham, Isaac Brewer, Sr., who had cast furtive glances toward the developing charms of Captain Joseph Miller’s daughter, and had braved the terrors of ford and ferry and wilderness, that he might visit there, became more and more enamored, until her graces, and her father’s lands, won him from the home of his boyhood, for life. The happy young couple found a home near the banks of the Chicuepe, where the same musical. ripple delighted them as had charmed the girlhood of the bride. They settled south of the present highway leading from Edward E. Fuller’s to Arthur D. King’s, on land later known as the Lawrence place, and now owned by the Ludlow Manufacturing Associates. There is a road _ leading from the main highway to the cellar hole.
Of the other families who came to town and settled about this time, we have but room to give the names. Northward of Colton and Miller, and towards the present Center, lived Benajah Willey, afterwards the first district ‘‘clark.’’ Just south of him was a Mr. Aynesworth, whom fame has left without a memoir. Benjamin Sikes, the father of Ben- jamin, Abner, and John, occupied the ancestral farm north of the Center, later the John Mann place, now owned by Elbridge J. Streeter, while his son, Lieutenant John Sikes, remained with his father. The son Abner went away to the eastward, three miles, to settle, near the present
7
soph ee ae & Pik he ee a
ue "aly Bie yy Piers
. ae q Moat i
Farm BuILpINGs or JAMES M. WHITE
ANTE-LUDLOW 41
Alden district schoolhouse. Near the line of the commons, and westward thereof, was, in 1774, quite a settlement. The Hitchcock home, occupied by Josiah and his son Abner, with families, was later the Lucius Simonds place and is now owned by Lucy Simonds; while another son, Joseph Hitchcock, lived next west, and probably Ezra Parsons and John Hub- bard, not far away. Beriah Jennings was near the present site of the Ezekiel Fuller house, now Hiram Davenport's. Shem Chapin’s neigh- bors were: Jacob Cooley and Aaron Ferry at the Torrey place, on the opposite side of the highway from where the late Gillen D. Atchinson lived; Noah Barker, on the Samuel White farm, now owned by James M. White; Israel Warriner, a little below; and farther to the south, at the mill privilege, was Ezekiel Squires, who built the first gristmill, and hard by were Oliver Chapin and the Zechariah Warners, father and son.
The region thus peopled must have been wild indeed. The roads were, in this period, hardly laid out, much less prepared for travel. No dams obstructed the onward flowing of the Chicuepe, no bridges spanned its stream for the convenience of the townspeople, and others. The grand highways of travel then, as now, were without the confines of the town, the northeasterly route from Springfield crossed the plains within the inward commons, the southeasterly trail of the red man went through the South Wilbraham gap, as that of the white man must sooner or later, while the ‘“Grate Bay Rode’’ wound its way over plains and through passes just across the river to the south, as far from Joshua Fuller and his neighbors as the more pretentious successor of the ‘‘Rode”’ is to-day from his descendants, occupying the old acres.
The surface of the land was in no desirable condition. What are now blooming fields spreading to the sun their luxuriant herbage, were then malarious bogs and sunken quagmires. The ponds caught the blue of heaven then as now, it is true, but their approaches were swamps, and their shores were diversified with decayed logs and decaying under- brush. The region was infested with wolves and bears, while fleet- footed deer browsed confidently upon the foliage of Mineachogue moun- tain, sipped the waters of Mineachogue pond, and reposed in slumber sweet under Shelter rock, in Cherry Valley. Into such a region as this came the hardy adventurers, from Springfield, from West Springfield, from Ashfield, from Wilbraham, from Shutesbury, from Ellington, from Glastonbury, from Somers, from Brookfield, from Bridgewater,
until a goodly settlement was made in all parts of the present territory.
42 HISTORY (OF LUDEOW
Where these people attended church is left to conjecture, but con- jecture is not difficult. The Miller Corner people would naturally go southward, to listen to the excellent sermons of the Reverend Noah Mirick, and, doubtless, it was while there the furtive glances of young Isaac Brewer met, in spite of vigilant tithing-men, those of Captain Miller’s daughter, until their blushes would display the ripening admir- ation. The other people, from the northwest part, most likely sought the blind trail across the wooded plain, following the blazed trees, until the center of the town of Springfield was reached.
There could have been no unity between the various parts of the town, for a while. After a time, however, neighborhoods were formed for mutual defense, the people stopping at night at some convenient head- quarters, safe from an attack by savage wolf or bear, or no less savage Indian, to disperse in the morning, each family to its own rude cabin, for the day’s duties in the field, and home again at night, to heed the horn in lieu of curfew bell, and hie them to their lodging-house.
But as time rolled on the people began to tire of this condition. The waters of the Chicabee were, at times, so swollen they could not cross them; the rude paths so wet or rough they could not with convenience traverse them. Why not form a community of their own? Could they not havea church, anda minister? Could they not gather at some nearer center, and enjoy the immunities of other towns and districts?
Would that the records of these preliminary meetings could be spread before us to-day! But we may almost read of their doings. Captain Miller and his son-in-law, from the bank of the stream, Joshua Fuller, from the present Center, the Hitchcocks, and Jenningses, and Kendalls, from the common line, the Chapins, and Bowkers, and Cooleys, from over the hill westward, the Lombards, and Sikeses, with their neighbors, would meet at Abner Hitchcock’s, or Jacob Kendall’s, or Joshua Fuller’s, and talk the matter over, until in their minds the town was already in existence, and then the work was easy. A petition was drawn up, very likely by Benajah Willey, praying ‘“‘His Excellency, the Honorable Governor, Thomas Hutchinson,”’ representative of His Royal Majesty, the King, ‘“‘Dei Gratia,’’ to grant to the people the rights and privileges of adistrict. The petition was duly signed and sealed, and either carried by special messenger, or sent by some traveler, by way of the Grate Bay Rode, to the headquarters of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, in the far-off town of Boston. And with what result?
I]
TOPROGRAPEY
Location — Boundaries — Dimensions—Elevations—Ponds—Streams—Swamps—
Villages and hamlets—Water power.
LUDLOW is situated in the northeastern corner of the original town of Springfield. Granby and Belchertown, in Hampshire County, bound it on the north; Wilbraham and Springfield on the south; Belchertown on the east; and Chicopee on the west.
The northern, eastern, and western boundaries of the town are straight lines, excepting a break of about a fourth of a mile between it and the town of Chicopee. The southern boundary very nearly follows the tortuous course of the Chicopee River. The dimensions of Ludlow are about four and a half by six miles, with an area of 27 square miles, or 17,280 acres, of which there is much forest or unimproved land.
NATURAL FEATURES
The surface of the town is, in general, comparatively level, excepting a few important elevations. The most prominent of these are the “Facing Hills,” in the northern part of the town. They attain a con- siderable altitude and their summits afford an excellent view of the sur- rounding country. Mineachogue Mountain, southeast of the center of the town, is an interesting landmark. A detached elevation south of Facing Hills bears the name of Jefferson’s Peak. Turkey Hill, in the northeastern part of the town, partly in Belchertown, is the highest elevation.
Many small ponds of water give variety to the landscape. The most important in the northern part of the town are Pickerel and Second; in the southern part, Chapin, Wood, Miller, and Bliss.
The principal branches of the Chicopee River are Broad Brook, draining the larger part of the town lying east of the highlands; Chapin Brook in the south, and Higher Brook, which drains the central and south- western parts, passing through Harris and Eaton Ponds, and flowing into Chicopee River about a mile west of the town line. Stony Brook
44 HISTORY OF LUDEOW
drains the northwestern part and flows into the Connecticut in the town of South Hadley. SWAMPS
Several huckleberry swamps are found about the town, the largest being Torrey Swamp, in the western part of the town, and Fuller Swamp in the eastern part. Buck Swamp lies in the northern part of the town.
Cedar Swamp at the Center, just west of the First Church, is famous for its treacherous bottom. When it was decided to construct a road through the swamp to connect with the western part of the town, trees and stumps without number were used for filling. Some years later Reuben Sikes contracted for the repair of the road and after inspection left his cart and tools in the swamp ready for the next day’s work. On arriving the following morning he found that they had almost completely disappeared from sight. Every few years the roadbed has to be refilled.
VILLAGES AND HAMLETS The principal village of the town is Ludlow Village, situated in the southwestern part of the town on the Chicopee River. It was formerly called Put's) Bridge; 7 Putnam. Later it was called Jenksville, in honor of Benjamin Jenks,
after the bridge erected at that point by Eli
who established the first cotton factory there. The village is modern in every particular and grew up around the prosperous industrial enter- prises which were attracted there by the excellent water power. The Ludlow Manufacturing Associates have now ten large mills and 79 warehouses, giving a total space of 30 acres. There are 350 dwelling houses, several shops, four churches, four school buildings, a handsome library, a clubhouse, and a _ hospital.
The oldest village of the town is Ludlow Center. It was here that the first meeting house was built and the first measures for the organiza- tion of the town were adopted. Around it are clustered the most historic landmarks. There are 20 dwelling houses, a Congregational Church and chapel, and a schoolhouse.
In the northwestern part of the town is a small collection of houses called Ludlow City. Most of the people are farmers. Henry I. Carver’s sawmill and butter mold factory are the only manufacturing industries.
Moody Corners is a small collection of houses at the crossing of two roads near the western edge of the town. There are a sawmill, a grist- mill and a cider mill here.
TOPOGRAPHY 45
Miller Corner, in the southeastern part of the town, is so named because it was first settled by the Miller family. A considerable collection of houses has been built on the Ludlow side of the river opposite North Wilbraham, or Collins Depot, as it was formerly called. Some of the most thrifty people of the town reside here.
WATER POWER
The Chicopee River, during its course of three or four miles along the border, furnishes excellent water power, the best being at Red Bridge, Collins, Ludlow Village, and Indian Orchard. At Red Bridge the water falls 50 feet over a dam of solid masonry, generating over 5,000 horse power. At Collins the water descends a distance of 13 feet, generating about 600 horse power. At Ludlow Village, at the Falls of Wallamanumps, the water passes through a narrow rocky channel with a descent of 42 feet in a distance of 100 rods, generating about 1,500 horse power; at Indian Orchard, less than a mile distant, it descends 33 feet from the top of the dam to the still water below. The river just below the Falls of Wallamanumps forms a peninsula containing a few acres of land, elevated about 80 feet above the water, and formerly densely wooded, the extremity of which has long been known by the name of Indian Leap. This extremity is composed of red sandstone.
jal
TOWN ANNALS
Governor Hutchinson—Troublous times—Incorporation of district—The Char- ter—First district meeting—Original office holders—Origin of the name— Ludlow’s code—The new name—Dwellings—Provincial Congress—Taxes— Relics—General act—Ministry and school lands—County of Hampden— First post offiice—Value of commodities—Incidents—Town meetings—Town officers—Representative districts—Representatives— Military history: Revo- lutionary War, Shays Rebellion, War of 1812, the Ludlow Militia, Mexi- can War, Civil War—Soldiers’ Monument—Memorial Day—Cemeteries: Sikes, Fuller, East, Center, Island Pond—Gifts and bequests—Epitaphs— An old deed.
Tuomas HutTcHINSON was Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony when the inhabitants of Stony Hill, in Springfield, applied for a town char- ter. He had fallen upon troublous times. There were mutterings frequent and painfully apparent against the ruling power. Men had even dared to question the right of the King to control their actions or their revenues. Three thousand miles of ocean waves, and no steam navigation, or telegraphic cable, to connect the shores, did not strengthen the weakening bonds. Each winged messenger over the seas brought from the old country tidings of the adoption of rigorous measures against the colonists; returning, the same vessels bore to the perverse govern- ment news of increasing disaffection on part of the Americans. Some had even averred that the people of the New World could take care of themselves and spend their own revenues, while the more sagacious of English leaders foresaw the impending events, but in vain pointed out the true remedies. The more disaffected the colonists became, the more arbitrary were the measures of the crown.
One of the measures adopted by England for the control of the American subjects was the reduction of the representative power. As the inhabitants increased in numbers, they formed themselves into town organizations, having as one privilege that of sending a representative to the general assembly. As these towns increased, of course the number of representatives became larger, until an unwieldy body was assembling at the headquarters of the colony each year, rapidly assuming power,
48 HISTORY OF LUDLOW
and endangering the tenure of the crown. As a measure of safety, it was at length decided to give further applicants for town charter all rights save that of representation, calling the organizations districts instead of towns.
At precisely this juncture in affairs did the Stony Hill settlers send in their petition for incorporation. There seems to have been no good reason why the application of the people should not be granted, and it was evidently passed with no particular trouble. We append the answer received, in the language of the State records:
AN Act for erecting that part of the Township of Springfield, called Stony Hill, into a separate District by the name of Ludlow.
Whereas, by reason of the remote situation of the inhabitants of that part of Springfield, called Stony Hill, from the center of the town and parishes of which they are now parts, and their incapacity there- by of receiving any advantages from a longer union and connection therewith; and they have represented to this court that they are of a sufficient number and estates to support the charges of a district, and have prayed that they may be accordingly erected into a district:
Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and House of Representatives, that that part of the Township of Springfield called and known by the name of Stony Hill, and the inhabitants thereof, included and contained within the following lines and boundaries, namely, bounding southerly on Chicabee River, east on the east line of said Springfield and west line of Belchertown, northerly on the north line of said Springfield, or partly on Belchertown and partly on Granby, and extending west- ward so far as to include all that part of the outward commons, so called, that lies in the north-east corner of the Township of Springfield, and extending also in a line parallel with the west line of said outward commons, one mile and three-quarters farther west into the inward commons, so called, in said Springfield, north of Chicabee River, be erected into a separate District, by the name of Ludlow, and be invested with all the powers and privileges which towns in this Province enjoy by law; that of choosing and sending a Representative to the Gen- eral Assembly only excepted.
And that the said District shall have full right and liberty from time to time to join with the town of Springfield in the choice of Rep- resentatives to represent them in the General Assembly, and that the said District of Ludlow shall, from time to time, be chargeable with, and pay their proportion and part of the charge and expense of such Representatives, and the free-holders and other inhabitants of the said District of Ludlow, shall be notified of the time and place of such elec- tion in like manner as the inhabitants of said Springfield, by a War-
TOWN ANNALS 49
rant from the Selectmen of Springfield, directed to the Constable of said District, requiring him to warn the inhabitants thereof to meet and assemble in the meeting for that purpose, at the time and place therein appointed, and that the pay of such representatives be borne by the said District, and the towns of Springfield and Wilbraham, in such proportion as they respectively pay to the province tax.
And be it further enacted that the said District of Ludlow and the inhabitants thereof shall stand charged with the payment of their share, part and proportion of all debts and sums of money due and owing from said town of Springfield, and all grants, rates and assessments already made, and that this Act shall not extend to abridge or affect the rights of the inhabitants of the town of Springfield to the timber, herbage, or stone on any lands in said District.
And be it further enacted that the Honorable John Worthington, Esq., be empowered and directed to issue his warrant, directed to some principal inhabitant of said District, requiring him to warn the inhab- itants of said District qualified by law to vote in town meetings, to assemble at some convenient place in said District, some time in March next, to choose all such officers as may be necessary to manage the affairs of said District, and which by law ought to be chosen, which at such meeting they are hereby required to choose.
And be it further enacted that if the said west line of the before described tract of land, now erected into a District, should not extend so far as to include and contain the farms of Zachariah Warner, Zach- ariah Warner, Jun., Oliver Chapin, and Ezekiel Squires, that their said farms and lands, situate in said place called Stony Hill, be made part of, and annexed to, said District, to all intents and purposes, and that the same, with the inhabitants thereof, have and receive all the privi- leges, duties and burthens of the said District, in as full manner as though the same were contained within the limits and boundaries first described.
And be it further enacted, that the said District of Ludlow and the inhabitants thereof, be, and hereby are at all times hereafter, freed, discharged and exempted from all future duties, taxes and assessments in the several parishes and precincts to which they before this Act belonged and appertained; and that they be forever after disunited and separated from all other parishes and precincts, and no longer be, continue or remain, part or parcel thereof, or in any wise connected therewith: provided, nevertheless, that they remain charged with the payment of their part and proportion of all grants, taxes, and assess- ments, heretofore made by the respective parishes to which they before appertained.
And be it further enacted, that the said District of Ludlow shall have and hold their share and proportion of all ministry and school lands lying in the outward commons, so called, on both sides of Con-
50 HISTORY OF LUDLOW
necticut River, in said Springfield, and of all the stock of ammunition, and of all sums of money in the treasury of said town, and of all debts due and owing to said town (excepting the sum of two hundred pounds heretofore granted and appropriated for building a bridge over Chic- abee River), there to be divided, appointed and set off to them in such share and proportion as the inhabitants there paid and were assessed to the last Province tax in said town, and that the said District shall at all times be chargeable with the maintenance and support of the present poor of the town of Springfield, in the same proportion, and with their proportion of the maintenance and support of any person or persons heretofore belonging to said town, but now removed from thence, who shall be returned thither and become the public charge
thereof. February 23, 1774. This Bill, having been Read three Several
Times in the House of Representatives, Passed to be Enacted. Thomas Cushing, Speaker.
February 23, 1774. This Bill, having been Read three Several Times in Counsel, Passed to be Enacted. Thomas Flucker, Sec’y.
February 28th, 1774. By the Governor. I consent to the Enacting of this Bill. T. Hutchinson.
A true copy. Attest, John Cotton, D. Secr’y.
’
“The Honorable John Worthington” issued his ‘“‘Warrant,”’ accord- ing to direction, and then probably sent out a Springfield citizen to see that the “inhabitants of said District’? conducted themselves with due legal propriety at their first district meeting. The warrants were posted, attracting such attention as never since have like documents, and the Ides of March were eagerly awaited. At an early hour came the proud yeomen. From both sides of Mineachogue, from the margin of Higher Brook and its tributaries, from the edge of Shingle Swamp northward, and Bear Swamp eastward, on foot and on horseback, came the men and their boys, until the kitchen of Abner Hitchcock was well filled. The hand of Benajah Willey traced out for the curious of later days the following record, in chirography that would bear favorable comparison with later specimens:
“The first district meeting was held at the house of Abner Hitchcock, March 16th, 1774. Moses Bliss, Esq., of Springfield, was chosen mod- erator, Benajah Willey, clerk, Aaron Ferry, Abner Sikes, and Joseph Miller were chosen selectmen, Joshua Fuller and Jacob Kendall, wardens,
TOWN ANNALS Sit
Joseph Jones, John Hubbard, Jr., and Joseph Hitchcock, assessors, John Sikes and Jacob Cooley, constables, Joseph Miller became the treasurer, Beriah Jennings, Joel Willey and Noah Bowker were elected surveyors, James Kendall and Oliver Chapin, tithing-men, Israel War- riner and Isaac Brewer, fence viewers, Isaac Warriner and Ezra Parsons, hog-reeves, Ezekiel Squires, Aaron Colton, and Jonathan Lombard, deer-reeves’’—surely a distribution of spoils.
It is a singular fact that the origin of the name of Ludlow has never been satisfactorily settled. If the result of repeated investigations had been to clear up this matter, we might be satisfied; the fact is, however, such examination has only resulted in throwing doubts upon theories previously advanced. The titles of towns were derived from the most trivial circumstances, oftentimes. It is rumored that a provincial gov- ernor crossed the sea in a vessel named the Blandford. One of the earlier events of his official life was the incorporation of a new town west of the Great River. Assuming the prerogative of naming the town, he thought well of the ship which brought him safely over, and the town was yclept Blandford. This fact illustrates the difficulty encountered by inquirers of a later day in tracing the naming of town titles. We find no assistance in the earlier archives. Prior to 1774, the region is called Mineachogue, Outward Commons, the “‘Cow Pasture,’ Stony Hill. The act of incorporation passes, and the new district is Ludlow. We are unable to trace any connection with the geographical name as else- where employed, and find ourselves forced into the annals of biography for the more likely theories.
The other places bearing the name are as follows: Ludlow, County Salop or Shropshire, England. A considerable town near the borders of England and Wales, of ancient origin, sending two members to parlia- ment. Governed by a mayor and aldermen. Known widely because of its famous castle just without the town, now in ruins, but for many years playing an important part in the affairs of the kingdom, forming as it did, one of the frontier outposts of England. Ludlow, Windsor Co., Vt., a large manufacturing village on the Black River, just at the base of the Green Mountains, on the Cheshire railroad. Ludlow, Northumber- land Co., New Brunswick, on one of the branches of the Miramichi. Ludlow, Miami Co., Ohio; Ludlow, Dubois Co., Ind.; Ludlow, Scott Co., Miss.; Ludlowville, Lansing, Tompkins Co., N. Y.; Ludlow, Champaign Co., Ill.; Ludlow, Allamakee Co., Iowa; Ludlow, Kenton Co. Ky:; Ludlow, McKean ‘Co., Pa.
HISTORY OF LUDLOW
on bo
The first biographical theory, presented by the able speaker at the Centennial Celebration', points to Sir Edmund Ludlow, an ardent republican living in England at the time of the protectorate, who was one of the king’s judges. Always opposed to the idea of the protec- torate, he won a warm place in the esteem of all true patriots by twice standing firmly against the ruling power in the interests of republi- canism. He flourished in the middle of the fifteenth century. The theory suggested relative to the association of Ludlow and Hampden, persons and names, seems hardly probable, as there was an interval of thirty-eight years between the christenings. Would a tory like Hutchinson have honored the memory of Ludlow?
A second suggested origin of name is from one Roger Ludlow, a prominent citizen in early New England colonial history. He came to Roxbury about a dozen years after the Mayflower arrived, and was ever a prominent character. Presented to the people as a candidate for the governorship of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1634, he failed of an election. Deeply chagrined at his defeat, and stung by charges against his management as deputy, he left the colony, removing to Windsor, Conn. Here he became a leading man, at one time being employed to draw up for the people a code of laws, long known as Ludlow’s code. This code bears the date 1694. Among its provisions were a fine of five shillings for non-attendance at church, and one of 10 shillings for swearing. Tobacco was not to be used by any under twenty, except on recommendation of a physician. A fine of 6d. was to be levied for the use of the weed in public. Roger Ludlow removed after some years to Fairfield, whence, after an altercation with the off- cials of New Haven colony, he departed to Virginia, and disappeared from public sight at once and forever.
A third theory is that it is from one Rodger Ludlow, who was prom- inent in the colonial history at the time Ludlow was settled, and owned lands in that vicinity.”
An objection against the two former suggested sources is the remote- ness of the characters, a full century intervening between them and their supposed namesake.
In response to a note of inquiry sent to the mayor of Ludlow in England, the following very pleasant and hearty letter was received:
1See Historical Address, Part III. 2 See Vol. I, “The Connecticut Towns in Colonial History.”
TOWN ANNALS 53
Ludlow, Shropshire, England, December 21, 1874.
Sir:—I have received your letter of the 5th instant, and I have made enquiries upon the subject about which you write. I am afraid there is no record of the origin of the name of your town here;—those with whom I have conversed think that it may either have been taken from some person of the name of Ludlow, who accompanied the first settlers, or from a noted republican of that name, or from the fact that Milton, the poet, whose republican opinions were well known, was con- nected more or less with our town. But this is all conjecture.
I am sending you by book-post a small sketch of our town. The real history of Ludlow, which is an 8vo volume of 500 pages, and writ- ten by Thomas Wright, the antiquary, is very interesting, but too large to send.
Ludlow is said to be a Saxon word—Low or “Hlaw,”’ signifying a hill or tumulus, and “Lud” or ‘“‘Lude’’ may be the name of a person: —London is said to be the Luds’ town;—or it may be a name signifying a number of people: the word “lewd” having been originally applied to ‘‘common people’ not necessarily wicked, or lawless.—In Wiclif’s New Testament, Acts ix., verse 13, the apostles are called “‘unlettered, and lewed.”’
The word Ludlow may thus mean ‘“‘the grave, or burial hill of the people.’’ A tumulus formerly existing in the present church-yard was lowered in A. D. 1199, and bones of three men were discovered, who were made out to be Irish saints. They are now supposed rather to have been Roman or Celtic remains. There is a place called Ludford just below the hill on which Ludlow is built;—on the other side of the river Teme.
If I can afford you any further information I shall be happy to do so.
I am, sir, yours faithfully, John Adney, Mayor of Ludlow.
Alfred Noon, Esq.
In speaking of names, it is worthy of remark that while the name of Stony Hill, formerly given to Ludlow, has been appropriated by a sec- tion of Wilbraham, our town preserves in its most prominent landmark, Mt. Mineachogue, the title once given by the aborigines to all out- ward commons.
The provision made in the charter for the incorporation of certain farms within the limits of the district, probably accounts for the angles in the western line of the town, evidently made so as to include those lands belonging to the proprietors named. The original boundary was evidently very similar to the present.
The world may smile at the earlier annals of New England history,
54 HISTORY OF LUDLOW
but while smiling, may still read and ponder. There was little in the rugged commons which foretold a town. There was little in the appear- ance of these husbandmen that prophesied the Ludlow yeomen of to-day. If you would learn of the principle that gave to these seemingly inchoate elements their unity and combined strength, read of their religious longings. When will the lesson be remembered, that our nobler insti- tutions had their bases planted on the stone once rejected, but now “the Head of the Corner’’?
Many a family lived in a log cabin, the older inhabitants remembering such establishments in various parts of the town. One stood near the
Josaua CLARK PLACE, FORMERLY OWNED BY ZACHARIAH DAY
Norman Lyon house, one on “Stallion Hill,’’ near Miss Mary Lyon’s (now Mrs. Solon Lyon’s), another opposite the Loren Wood place, and another in the extreme southeastern part of Ludlow. Frame dwellings followed in due time, indicating the progress of their owners.
At the second meeting, held April 22, 1774, it was voted to hire a minister and a committee was chosen ‘‘for to agree’? with him. With an eye to order, as well as sanctuary privileges, they “voted that Swine Should run at large yok? and with a Ring in their Nose as the law Directss,
At an adjourned meeting held ‘‘June 1th,’ a committee was chosen
orl on
TOWN ANNALS
to locate the center of the town in order to build a meeting-house thereon.
In October, 1774, the district in meeting assembled ratified the action of the ministerial committee, and authorized it to continue its services, but nothing having been accomplished by the second committee, it was dismissed and another chosen. It was at this meeting that there occurred the first official measure bearing upon the coming struggle with the mother country. The call to a meeting of all the province had gone out to every town and district, asking for the appointment of one or more delegates from each corporate body, to a Provincial Congress to be held at Concord. Joseph Miller was appointed to go, and went, not only to this but to the succeeding session at Salem, held a little later, and also to still another like gathering at Cambridge, and another at Watertown the next May. A little idea of the expense of these journeys may be obtained from the item
recorded later:
Voted that Joseph Miller be allowed his bill for attending the Several Congresses, which is 411 13s 2d, likewise voted that the said Capt. Joseph Miller have Two Shillings pr. Day for Thirty Two Days Service attending the Several Congresses.
It was a trying time for a new town, when its revenues were diverted to pay the costs of war, and its young men sent off to bear the musket. Yet the people persist in living, in supporting the institutions of religion among themselves, and, moreover, in planning for the interests and development of the town as well.
A pound was erected near Elisha Hubbard’s in 1776, thirty feet square, which, sixteen years later, had fallen into decay. A little later a new one was erected of white oak, near Oliver Dutton’s house (now Mrs. E. Newton Fisher’s), and the timber of the old sold at vendue.
As occasion required, delegates were appointed to the conventions relating to troubles culminating in the Shays rebellion; the first represen- tation to the State legislature was in 1785, when Joseph Miller bore the honors. A committee of seven was intrusted to instruct him, though in what branch of education we have no intimation. A similar honor was borne by John Jennings in 1787, his tutors being five in number. John Jennings attended the constitutional convention of 1788.
We find but little in the records about warning people out of town,
56 HISTORY OF LUDLOW
though in 1790 certain citizens were instructed to take the matter into consideration and three years later they made public the names of twelve persons who had signified their intention to locate without the town’s consent, and who must leave within fifteen days. This course was very likely taken in order that paupers thus once warned out could be thrown upon the State for support.
The town appropriated £6 for a singing school in 1791. With potatoes ten cents per bushel and lumber two dollars per thousand, our
red —————— JOHN SIKES Your Taxes for 1S15 are, DDR Oe M. STATE TAX, | 7 | TOWN, do. 21560 PAGS islbacior 20) 18 SCHOOL Nido: 4 | 92 COUN. cdo: 232 WS Seas CALVIN SIKES, Collector. Rec'd Payment,pr WILLIAM PEASE. x %
AX Whee Ieine, Grr IkslS
ancestors gave liberally to the arts. They also had special lessons in penmanship by an expert teacher who taught a very good style of ver- tical writing. In 1804, the town magnanimously appropriated twenty- five dollars ‘‘to the present singers, on condition they sing well and still continue to sing to the Edification of the Inhabitants of s* Town,” and two years after a committee was empowered to hire a singing master.
In municipal affairs, the people seem to have proceeded much as others did at the same period. At first, the clerk and treasurer were separate officers, but the positions were finally vested in one person in
1796, John Jennings then wearing the double honor. Tax-collecting for
TOWN ANNALS
mn ~I
the year seems at one time to have been intrusted to several constables, but after a while this mode was unsuccessful. The next method was by two collectors, one for the outward and one for the inward commons. For a single year, one man undertook the Herculean task of collecting for the whole district. It was probably the custom at the warning of some of the earlier town meetings for the constables to notify the voters individually, but this method became too troublesome, and after a while the town resolved to post notices in several stipulated places: “the meeting-house and the houses of Joshua Fuller, Capt. Joseph Miller, Gideon Beebe, Benjamin Sikes, and Joel Nash’s mill.”
At the close of the
ee J ~ ae eS eighteenth century . the Te. wel eee deer and wolves and bears | 9 5 at oa ee 4 must have been mostly oe Taxes for’ sey ca ‘4 driven away, but for a
while they were doubtless
Soe eee ——— Pan & CORNP¥to,
ARISH, down ha : Z al
frequently seen. It is said that when the first Lum- bard was one day in the neighborhood of where Lyman Graves now lives, he found a large bear and two cubs. Having killed one of the cubs, the old bear pursued him, driving ae him to a well-known pre- APs Diu. cipitous rock near by, on which he took refuge. Foiled in her attempt to avenge the death of her young, she kept guard nearly a whole night, springing frequently from the ground up the sides of the rock. Wolves were seen near the former home of Ambrose Clough and near where Warren G. Fuller now lives. But such days passed away, and with them the beasts which infested the region. As relics of these days are shown at the present time a shoe worn by Captain Miller’s grandchildren, and a shell used for calling together the ‘“men-folks,’’ whose resonant sounds (those of the shell, not of the men- folks) are said to have been heard three full miles when blown at the brink of the Chicopee.
HISTORY OF LUDLOW
Un oo
At the very beginning of the Revolutionary War, August 23, 1775, the General Court of Massachusetts admitted the districts to the full privileges of towns, by a general act, as follows:
And be it further Enacted and Declared by the authority aforesaid, That every Corporate Body in this Colony, which in the act for the Incorporation thereof, is said and declared to be made a District and has by such act granted to it, or is declared to be vested with the Rights. Powers, Privileges or Immunities of a Town, with the Exception above mentioned, of chusing and sending a representative to the Great and General Court of Assembly, shall hereafter be holden, taken, and in- tended to be a Town to all Intents and Purposes whatsoever.
We have seen by the charter and various references that the town once held certain lands in trust for the maintenance of the ministry. From the time of its organization there had been committees chosen by the town to arrange a settlement with the town of Springfield concerning certain ministerial and school lands lying in the north division of the outward commons, which was included within the territory of Ludlow. A settlement was finally effected in 1802, and the town of Ludlow was to pay the town of Springfield $100, the First Parish of Springfield $250, and to Bezaleel Howard $250, or $600 in all, in consideration of which all rights in said lands were forfeited and they were deeded to the town of Ludlow to be held in trust for the support of the gospel ministry and schools forever. These lands were sold mainly in three years, 1803, 1804, 1805, and the report made by the committee of sale, November 13, 1806, acknowledged the amount received to be $2,265.80. This fund, we shall find, became later the source of considerable contention. The official report of this committee is as follows:
The Committee appointed to sell the Ministry and school land the property of the town of Ludlow have attended that service—and have sold the whole of the said Ministry lott lying within the said town from the inward Commons eastward to Chicopee River Also have sold some part of said school lott (viz) beginning two rods east of the inward Commons and extending eastward the whole width of said lott to the road leading Northerly from Titus Hubbards dwelling House also all that part of s‘ lott which lieth east of the town Pound and north of the town road leading from thence to the Meeting house and west of the Cedar-swamp so called also beginning at or near the foot of the Hill east a few rods from the Meeting house and easterly the whole width of said lott to Belchertown line. Also one other piece of s* lot lying west of the pound & North of the road leading westerly from s* pound,
TOWN ANNALS 59
leaving unsold all that part of said school lott which lieth west of the foot of the Hill east of the said Meeting house the whole width of said lott so far as the west side of the Cedar swamp afores®, also all that of said lott which lieth west of said Cedar swamp and south of the town road leading west from said Meeting House so far as the Country road leading Northerly from Titus Hubbard’s. And having agreeably to directions and orders from said town Made and excuted Warrantie deeds for and in behalf of the Inhabitants of said town—And have also received for and in Consideration of said sales and for the use and benefit of said Inhabitants Notes and Obligations of the following descriptions (viz) one signed Elisha Hubbard & Job Pease for the sum of 45 doll 9 cents dated Augt 24'», 1804—one signed Timothy Clough & Titus Hubbard for the sum of 37 doll 50 cents dated June 16 1805—one signed James Kendal for the sum of 67 doll 50 cents dated Augt 24" 1804—one signed John Jennings for the sum of 23 doll 25 cents dated Sep‘ 28 1804—one signed Timothy Clough & Jon* Clough for the sum of 600 doll dated June 16 1803—one signed Abel Wright & Abel Wright Jun’ for the sum of 116 doll dated June 27" 1803—one signed Elisha Fuller for the sum of 336 doll 31 cents dated Augt 24" 1805—one signed Aaron Colton, J', and Moses Wood for the sum of 185 doll dated June 26'? 1803—one signed Timothy Wright & Aaron Colton for the sum of 100 doll dated June 16 1803—one signed Sam! Olds for the sum 47 doll 60 cents dated March 8th 1805—one signed Stephen Wright & George Miller for the sum 85 doll 25 cents dated June 17" 1803—one signed Elisha Fuller for the sum of 324 doll 73 cents dated Aug’ 24 1805—one signed Benj" Sikes for the sum of 26 doll 51 cents dated March 8 1805—one signed Ruben Burt & George Muller for the sum of 150 doll dated June 17 1803 Containing in the whole the sum of 2145 doll 34 cents all on Interest from their dates—The Committee have rect in Cash over and above the aforementioned Notes to and for use and benefit of the s* Inhabitants the sum of 26 doll 5 cents—which sum added to the sum of the Obligations afores* makes in the whole the sum of 2171 doll 39 cents—The Committee further submit to the town the expediency of any further sale of all or any part of the remainder of said land conceiving it necessary at least to reserve some ground Cotiguous to the said Meeting House for the use ease and bennefit of the Inhabitants of said town.
And the Committee further report that they hold themselves account- able and in readiness to deliver to any Person or Persons authorised to receive the foregoing Obligations and effects or other Obligations and effects of equal Value.
Jon® Burr Aaron Colton John Jennings Benj* Sikes
| | Committee. |
60 HISTORY -OF LUDEOW
After having proceeded as above stated the Committee have pro- ceeded further and sold all that part of the school lott which lieth west of the Cedar-swamp and south of the town road leading westerly from the Meeting house so far west as M' Titus Hubbard’s dwelling-house and have received to and for the use and bennefit of the Inhabitants of said town of Ludlow one Obligation or Note for the sum of Ninety three dollars sixty nine cents which being added to the sum in the fore- going report makes in the whole for the bennefit of said town the sum of two thousand two hundred and Sixty five dollars and 8 cents and the Committee further state that agreeably to their orders and directions from the said town they have made and executed a warrantee deeds of the last mentioned piece of land as well as that mentioned in the fore- going report and that this last mentioned Note of 93 dollars and 69 cents is dated June 16, 1803, signed by Titus Hubbard and Gad Lyon.
Aaron Colton John Jennings - Committee. Benj* Sikes
The bounds of the town were changed in 1805 so as to include a large slice of Springfield, from the mouth of Higher Brook northward to the
HARTFORD BANK NOTE OF 1826
South Hadley line. In 1813 this had evidently been returned to its former association.
Our annals become more and more mere recitals of detached facts, because the various interests of the town, considered in town meetings, are treated in special articles by themselves.
The voters seem to have indulged in all the privileges of American
TOWN ANNALS 61
citizenship. At one time they solemnly and with full assurance “‘ voted that James Bowdoin, Esq., be governor.”’
There was a genuine smallpox scare in 1810, a committee being appointed to introduce the inoculation of the cowpox.
In 1812, the County of Hampden was formed, a great convenience to the Ludlow people, whose distance to the county seat, Northampton, was lessened one half. Another convenience was the post office at Put’s Bridge, established not far from 1815.
As illustrations of the value of commodities and wages paid, we cite the following: Ezekiel Fuller cut his logs, paid two dollars a thousand for sawing at the mill, drew the stuff to Willimansett, and sold it, nice
Boston Bank NOTE oF 1828
yellow pine, for two dollars and a half per thousand. As late as 1820, good potatoes brought ten cents a bushel. A curious idea of the extent of the earlier crops of this esculent may be gained from the fact that one man who had half a hogshead and another showing a crop of four barrels were the wonder of the town. In 1841, allowances for labor on the high- ways were sixty-seven cents a day in the spring and fifty cents in the fall.
A few incidents may perhaps be noted. The citizens at town meeting adjourned on May-day of 1837 to attend in procession the funeral of their aged neighbor, Lewis Barber.
There were two hundred and fifty-seven votes cast in 1840. The anti-masonic vote in the Morgan days was thirty-two in a hundred and sixty-one.
62 HISTORY OF LUDLOW
The town clerk was so much impressed with a twelve-hours thunder- storm, March 25, 1842, that he made note of the fact—the only attention paid to meteorology in all the town books, unless we infer that the earlier fathers adjourned from the meeting-house stake to the house of Joshua Fuller because of the cold.
Town MEETING
In the early days of the town, the old First Church building was used for a place of divine worship and for the transaction of town business. Until 1835, when the church was incorporated, all matters relating to it were voted upon in town meeting. In 1841, after a new house of worship had been built, religious services were discontinued in the old building and it was purchased by the town. The town house was changed little by little from time to time, though the most marked alterations, in the partition and fitting up of a town office, and the removal of some of the old seats were of more recent date; the latter, in fact, having been made necessary by the centennial celebration. All town meetings were still held there. But March 14, 1881, at the annual town meeting, the selectmen were instructed to procure a suitable place in the village of Ludlow for the next annual State election, and Joy’s Hall was secured. This was only the beginning of an effort to have all the meetings of the town held at the village; and at the annual meeting, March 13, 1893, the town voted that future annual town meetings be held in the village, and a committee of five was appointed to secure suitable accommodations. Joy’s Hall was engaged for all meetings and a room in the basement of the building for use of the town officers. At a later meeting, the voters in the uptown section made a strong effort to return to the Center for the annual meetings, but the village people outvoted them and all meetings have since been held at the village. In November, 1906, Joy’s building was destroyed by fire. A new building was soon erected and larger quarters were secured for the town officers in the basement of the build- ing. The town records are kept here in a fireproof safe and vault. A room for a lock-up was also secured in the basement of this building.
There has been agitation occasionally for the erection of a new town house, and at a meeting of the town in April, 1872, it was voted to raise $3,500 for the erection of a new town house and that a schoolroom be
connected therewith. A committee was chosen to look for a location
TOWN ANNALS 63
and report at a future meeting. At a later meeting the vote was recon- sidered and there has been no further action taken.
In 1873 the woodchucks were so plentiful and troublesome to the farmers, that a bounty of ten cents for each one killed was offered by the town. To prove one’s right to the money, at first the heads were taken to the treasurer, later only the ears were required. Nearly $150 was paid for this purpose during two or three years.
At the annual meeting, March 8, 1880, the first woman voter of the town, Miss Asenath Jones, appeared at the polls, escorted by Major John P. Hubbard, and deposited her ballot for school committee.
It is noticeable that the town, since the temperance agitation has been under way, never has licensed the sale of intoxicating liquors.
The voters of Ludlow in 1888 will always remember the great bliz- zard of March 12, of that year. It was the day of the annual town- meeting held in Ludlow Center. Little attention was given by the voters to the storm, which commenced in the morning. At noon two or three of the men started for home but returned. When the meeting closed, and the voters prepared to go home, the roads had in some cases become impassable and others nearly so. Seventeen of the men were obliged to remain all night in the hall, while others were obliged to stop on the way, few reaching their own homes. One of the selectmen was forced to stay three or four days with a friend. Some of the roads were impassable for a week.
At a meeting of the town held March 9, 1896, the town paid tribute to Governor Greenhalge, who died in office, by the adoption of the follow- ing resolutions :—
Resolved by the citizens of Ludlow in annual town meeting assembled: That in the death of Governor Frederic T. Greenhalge, every town in the Commonwealth, however small, has lost a true friend, an able champion for its petitions, an honorable, just, and wise chief magistrate, who took pride in serving the whole people, even unto death. And with sincere feelings of sorrow we extend to the afflicted family our most heartfelt sympathy.
Resolved: That these resolutions be placed upon the records of the town and that a copy be sent to the family of the deceased Governor.
MopERATORS OF TOWN MEETINGS The number appended to each name denotes the number of times
that person has served.
64 HISTORY OF LUDLOW
Moses Bliss, 1; John Hubbard, 3; Joseph Miller, 24; Jonathan Bartlett, 8; Joseph Hitchcock, 10; Jeremiah Dutton, 3; Abner Hitchcock, 1; Joshua Fuller, 3; James Kendall, 23; Joel Nash? Gideon Beebe, 1; Israel Warriner, 14; John Jennings, 18; Jonathan Burs, 13>5Eh* Putnam, 7% Dr Brancis: Percival, iW jeohne AVidihem ae Dr: A. J. Miller,’4; Elisha Fuller, 1;-Oliver Dutton; 27; Benjamin Sikes, 1; Jonathan Clough, 2; Sherwood Beebe, 4; William Pease, 28; Ezekiel Fuller, 2; Increase Sikes, 1; Gad Lyon, 3; Dr. Simpson Ellis, 2; Joshua Fuller, 2; Noah Clark, 6; Timothy Nash, 13; Ashbel Burr, 3: Theodore Sikes, 4; Alva Sikes, 3; Alexander McLean, 2; Paoli Lathrop; 1; Dr. Elijah Caswell, 1; E. IT. Parsons, 30; John Gates; 2; Nathaniel Chapin, 3; Henry Fuller, 1; Col. John Miller, 9; Dennis Knowlton, 1; Eli M. Smith, 15; John B. Alden, 1; Jerre Miller, 2; Dr. W. B. Alden, 2; George Booth, 3; William Ray, 1; Alanson Pool, 1; Dr. T. W. Lyman, 1; Artemas: H. Whitney, 1; Henry Charles, 1; Edmund Bliss, 1; John P. Hubbard, 3; Chauncey L. Buell, 13; Francis F. McLean, 9; Gillen D. Atchinson, 3; Jackson Cady, 1; Adin Whitney, 1; Benjamin F. Burr, 4; Charles F. Grosvenor, 3; George A. Birnie, 12; James B. Knowlton, 2; Austin C. Gove, 1; Charles Greenhalgh, 1.
Town CLERKS
The following have acted as town clerks:
Benajah Willey, 1774, 1775; Jeremiah Dutton, 1776-1779; Dr. Aaron J. Miller, 1780-1782; Samuel Arnold, 1783-1785, 1788; Elisha Fuller, 1786; Solomon L. Fuller, 1787; John Jennings, 1789-1792, 1794-1796, 1798-1799; Pliny Sikes, 1793, 1797; Increase Sikes, 1800— 1808; Ely Fuller, 1809-1829, 1831; Theodore Sikes, 1830, 1833-1835, 1839-1841; Dr. Washington B. Alden, 1832, 1836-1838; Samuel S. Bucklin, 1842; Dennis Knowlton, 1843-1845; Maj. John P. Hubbard, 1845-1853, 1856-1861, 1864; George Booth, 1855; Albert Fuller, 1862— 1863; George E. Root, 1865; Benjamin F. Burr, 1866-1879; Warren D. Fuller, 1879-1888; Alfred H. Bartlett, 1889—
SELECTMEN
The following have been chosen to serve as the town fathers. To the names is appended the number of years of service, so far as ascertained.
Aaron Ferry, 2; Abner Sikes, 12; Joseph Miller, 6; Joseph Hitch- cock, 2; Joshua Fuller, 1; John Hubbard, Jr., 2; Benajah Willey, 1;
ALEXANDER C. BIRNIE FRANK A. TOWNE
MicHAEL T, KANE Chairman Selectmen
CHARLES S. BROWNING, Treasurer ALFRED H. BARTLETT, Clerk
TOWN OFFICERS, 1911
TOWN ANNALS 67
Jonathan Bartlett, 2; John Sikes, 3; Moses Wilder, 1; Timothy Keyes, 2; Jeremiah Dutton, 1; Joel Nash, 6; Israel Warriner, 7; James Ken- dall, 2; Samuel Arnold, 1; Isaac Brewer, 1; Jonathan Burr, 9; Samuel Frost, 6; Dr. Francis Percival, 4; Aaron Colton, 3; Ephraim Chapin, 2; Benjamin Sikes, Jr.,9; Pliny Sikes, 1; Eli Putnam, 1; Lt. Joseph Mun- ger, 2; Sherwood Beebe, 6; Job Pease, 1; Timothy Nash, 14; Jonathan Sikes, 4; Gad Lyon, 2; Ezekiel Fuller, 1; Gates Willey, 7; Joseph Miller, 1; Joshua Fuller, 5; Daniel Sprague, 2; Nathaniel Lyon, 1; Titus Hubbard, 1; Nathaniel Lyon, 1; James Sheldon, 1; Ashbel Burr, 13; John Dorman, 10; Elias Frost, 5; Asahel Rood, 5; Gordon B. Miller, 3; Theodore Sikes, 4; Elam Wright, 1; Chester Sikes, 8; Elijah Fuller, 1; John Town, Jr., 1; John Gates, 7; William Ray, 11; Water- man Fuller, 3; Dan Hubbard, 5; Daniel King, 1; Artemas H. Whitney, 12; Edmund W. Fuller, 2; John Miller, 6; Elijah Plumley, 3; David ifyom 2-0 Alvaysikes, 2)" lisha, i Parsons. 2 > Jerre: Muller blenny, Fuller, 3; Willis Keyes, 1; Homer Lyon, 1; Aaron Davis, 2; Seth J. Bennett, 1; Simeon Jones, 2; Elijah G. Fuller, 1; Benjamin Sikes, 7; Gilbert E. Fuller, 6; Roderick Collins, 4; Jacob S. Eaton, 3; F. F. Mc- ean, o> Henry Charles, 1; john P. Hubbard, 2; Samuel White, 9; Eli M. Smith, 3; Reuben Sikes, 3; John Ray, 5; Chauncey L. Buell, 1; David C. Jones, 5; Ambrose Clough, 4; George D. Greene, 1; Edward E. Fuller, 9; Jackson Cady, 2; George R. Clark, 3; David Joy, 1; Benjamin F. Burr, 7; Charles F. Grosvenor, 4; Franklin Bramble, 4; James M. White, 3; Austin F. Nash, 3; Frank A. Towne, 19; John W. Hubbard, 13; Frederick L. Burr, 3; Albert E. Fuller, 6; Michael T. Kane, 6; Alexander C. Birnie, 3.
ASSESSORS
The following have served the town in the capacity of assessors, each the number of years indicated:
Joseph Jones, 1; John Hubbard, Jr., 5; Joseph Hitchcock, 5; Isaac Brewer, Jr., 2; Benajah Willey, 2; Joshua Fuller, 1; Jonathan Bartlett, 1; Jonathan Lombard, 1; John Sikes, 5; Samuel Arnold, 6; Jeremiah Dutton, 2; Oliver Chapin, 1; Ezekiel Fuller, 2; James Kendall, 2; Joel Nash, 3; Solomon L. Fuller, 1; John Jennings, 2; Samuel Scranton, 1; Ephraim Chapin, 2; Pliny Sikes, 7; Gideon Beebe, 1; David Lyon, 2; Aaron Colton, 1; Jonathan Burr, 2; Dr. Francis Percival, 2; Gad Lyon, 8; Increase Sikes, 6; Timothy Nash, 3; Peter Damon, 1; Joseph Miller,
68 HISTORY OF LUDEOW
jm, 15 Dr; Aaron J. Miller; 1; Samuel SFrost, 1;>Benjamin~ Sikes 2: Eli Putnam, 1; Sherwood Beebe, 4; Stephen Jones, 2; Jonathan Sikes, 4; Oliver Dutton, 2; Ezekiel Fuller, 2; Asa Pease, 1; Gates Willey, 14; Lemuel Keyes, 3; Joshua Fuller, 3; Calvin Sikes, 1; Daniel Sprague, 1; Dr. Simpson Ellis, 1; Elias Frost, 4; James Sheldon, Jr., 6; Dr. Elijah Caswell, 1; William Brainerd, 6; Ely Fuller, 7; Theodore Sikes, 9; Elijah Fuller, 5; Alva Sikes, 10; John Moody, 2; Ira Stacy, 1; Nathaniel Chapin, 6; Sumner Chapin, 1; Joseph Miller, 1; Charles Alden, 7; Elihu Collins, 1; Elisha T. Parsons, 4; Henry Fuller, 3; Dr. Washington B. Alden, 3; John Miller, 3; Alva Sikes, 6; George Booth, 7; Simeon Jones, 3; Dennis Knowlton, 3; Jerre Miller, 6; John P. Hubbard, 6; Eli M. Smith, 1; Charles Bennett, 2; Dr. William B. Miller, 1; Aaron Davis, 3; Seth J. Bennett, 1; William Ray, 2; Elijah C. Eaton, 4; Albert Fuller, 22; Jeremiah Dutton, 1; Lucien Cooley, 1; Adin Whitney, 7; James W. Kendall, 1; Jacob S. Eaton, 2; Reuben Sikes, 4; Francis F. McLean, 4; David K. Paine, 3; David C. Jones, 2; Henry S. Jones, 11; Jere Dutton, 1; Jackson Cady, 2; Charles S. Bennett, 4; Daven- port L. Fuller, 2; Norman Lyon, 2; Charles W. Alden, 2; Edward E. Puller, 11 Bueien IN. Lyon, 1; Austin &. Nash, 12 Arthur De sKone- 20; Charles F. Howard, 1; F. S. King, 1; George D. Greene, 11; Charles P. Jones, 9; Frank G. Bennett, 3; Charles B. Bennett, 4.
REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICTS
In 1876, in conformity to the law of the State, the county commis- sioners of Hampden County divided the county into districts for choosing representatives to the General Court at Boston. The towns of Palmer, Wilbraham, and Ludlow formed District No. 2 and were entitled to one representative.
In 1886 the county was again divided into districts, and Ludlow was placed with Palmer, Brimfield, and Holland, forming District No. 10, with one representative. In 1896 the towns of Ludlow, Wilbraham, Hampden, East Longmeadow, Agawam, Southwick, Granville, and Tolland were made one district called District No. 2, with one represen- tative.
In 1906 the county was redistricted a third time and Agawam, Blandford, East Longmeadow, Granville, Hampden, Longmeadow, Ludlow, Montgomery, Russell, Southwick, Tolland, West Springfield,
TOWN ANNALS 69
and Wilbraham, were made District No. 2, with two representatives. This is often spoken of as the “Shoe-string’’ district.
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT
1784, 1785, Captain Joseph Miller; 1787, John Jennings; 1800, Elisha Fuller; 1801, 1802, Dr. Aaron J. Miller; 1806, Gad Lyon; 1807, Increase Sikes; 1808, Gad Lyon; 1809, John Jennings; 1810, Gad Lyon; 1811, Sherwood Beebe; 1812-1815, 1827, Ely Fuller; 1829, Rev. Alex- ander McLean; 1830, Dr. A. J. Miller; 1831-1836, Theodore Sikes; 1837, 1838, Joseph Bucklin; 1840, 1842-1844, Dennis Knowlton; 1845— 1847, Artemas H. Whitney; 1848, Eli M. Smith; 1849, Alva Sikes; 1854, John P. Hubbard; 1855, Jerre Miller; 1856, 1857, Elisha T. Par- sons; 1859, Albert Fuller; 1862, Hezekiah Root; 1865, Jacob S. Eaton; 1872, Reuben Sikes; 1879, Benjamin F. Burr; 1883, Warren D. Fuller; 1888, Charles F. Grosvenor; 1893, Edward E. Fuller; 1898, Arthur D. King; 1907, George D. Green.
MILITARY HISTORY
The Revolutionary War.—Ludlow has no occasion to be ashamed of her history in this struggle. One in seven of her inhabitants left for a longer or briefer time their homes and loved ones to engage in the fray. In the defenses at home, in the conflicts at the capital (it is reported that Dr. Aaron J. Miller was in the ‘‘tea party’”’ at Boston), in the battles on the frontier, at the carnage of Trenton, were found the representatives of the little district in the Province of Massachusetts Bay. <A glance at the names of the men who went from the district will make it evident to any one familiar with the earlier history of the place, that the best blood was represented in the Revolution. (See Historical Address, Part ITI.) The records make evident the fact that every burden imposed was borne, every tax paid. The people seem to have taken ‘“‘joyfully the spoiling of their goods.”’ In one of the provincial congresses, held February 1, 1775, Ludlow was assigned the care of ten of the inhabitants of Boston, and March 20th the people vote ‘‘that the Constables pay into the hand of Henry Gardner, Esq’, of Stow, all the moneys Due from this District Respectively to supply the said pressing Exigencies of the Colony, accord-
’
ing to a resolve of the late Provincial Congress.” In the apportionment
of coats for soldiers in the service in 1775, Ludlow is to find twenty-three,
70 HISTORY OH LUDLOW,
and no doubt the district complied. An annual bounty of £12 for two years was offered to volunteers in 1777, while a bounty of £30 was necessary, or deemed so, two years after. As money degenerated later in the year, it became necessary to raise £160 for war purposes. Other instances of patriotism have been cited by another pen. (See Historical Address, Part III.) The noblest monument of the loyalty of Ludlow in her infancy, however, is in that noble list of thirty strong men who went forth at their country’s call.
But the darkest nights end in gleamings of dawn, and after all this self-denial and inconvenience and manifold peril, we turn over but few pages of the records before we discover references to “‘the late war.”’
The Shays Rebellion.—In 1787, came the events of the Shays Rebel- lion, in which Ludlow had her share, furnishing, it is claimed, recruits to both sides, though the general impression seems to be that the town rather sympathized with the rebellent hosts. The track of the Shays part of the malcontents is supposed to have passed through the town on their way to the Springfield fight, and also in their retreat. On their passage through South Hadley a Ludlow man, Isaiah Call by name, was killed by a chance shot from a house. The others in the Shays forces whose names are preserved, going from this town, were Tyrus Pratt, John Jennings, and Samuel Olds. From local traditions it may be pre- sumed the latter did not win many laurels, nor allow the grass to grow much under his feet when he returned homeward. Shays came into town from Ludlow City and down the road, quartering his troops at Fuller’s tavern, in the West Middle. (Now it is the home of Hiram Davenport.) On Shays’s inglorious defeat he retreated to Ludlow and thence northward, at a high rate of speed. It is said that Ezekiel Fuller joined the forces at the tavern and marched as far as Wallamanumps, where his friends persuaded him to desert. The pursuant troops sought out John Jennings in vain, for on their arrival at his home he had found it convenient to make an engagement elsewhere.
War of 1812.—It is singular that the war of 1812 should have passed with no occasion for record on the town books. Let no one, however, question the loyalty of Ludlow. Military organizations had existed in town for a long time, probably for most of the period of organization. In 1808 a goodly number went to a general muster at Old Hadley, occurring September 28, but were unsuccessful in getting their expenses paid by the town. The famous Horse Company was formed in 1802 from
TOWN ANNALS (i
recruits of four towns, Springfield, Longmeadow, and Wilbraham joining Ludlow. The place of drill and muster was usually the Five Mile House, east of Springfield village. The captain was a Longmeadow man, Colton or Flint, perhaps both, at different times. The Ludlow names were as follows: Adin Parsons (lieutenant), Gaius Clough, Mordecai Clough, Warren Hubbard, Erastus Munger, Daniel Miller, Sylvester Miller, Francis Nash, Julius Nash, Asahel Rood, and Martin Smith. The full number on the company was about forty. When the War of 1812 broke out, this company was in fine order. It is related that while at drill on their mustering grounds one day, when the captain had formed them into line, he requested all who would volunteer as minutemen for the national service to march forward so many paces. Not a man started in obedience to the sudden request, until the captain himself advanced to the assigned place. Then a large number of the company followed his example, among whom were all the Ludlow men but two, and of those one furnished a substitute. The names of those from the town actually participating in the service during the war were
as follows:
Henry Acres, Benjamin Ainsworth, Gideon Cotton, Lemuel Gardiner, Samuel Gates, substitute John Howard,
for Selah Kendall, drafted. Reuben Parsons, Chester Kendall, Veranus Shattuck, Amos Root, Gordon B. Wood, Charles F. Wood, Harvey Wood.
Facts are facts, and it must be recorded that two of these men deserted from the ranks and concealed themselves at their homes. One narrowly escaped capture by concealment for days inside a large stone chimney then standing in the southwest part of the town, and by a kindly warn- ing from a female friend who knew officers were on his trail. The other was not so fortunate. Taken prisoner, he was court-martialed and sentenced to be shot. The coffin was produced and he was bound and made to kneel upon it. The soldiers drawn up to execute the rigorous military law included his own brother-in-law. But just as the fatal shot was about to send him to eternity a reprieve was granted and a pardon eventually obtained, through the instrumentality of a Lieutenant Clary
of Springfield.
72 HISTORY OF SLUDEOW
Among the souvenirs of these days of war is a revenue receipt for payment by Benjamin Sikes of a tax of one dollar ‘‘for and upon a 4 wheel carriage called a waggon and the harness used therefor owned by him.”’
The Ludlow Militiaa—The time in which the once famous Ludlow militia figured was mainly from 1820 onward to 1843. In the earlier days of this period the training was under the State militia law, compell- ing all within a certain age to bear arms at stated times. The company was then called by the graphic title of ‘‘ Flood-wood.”’ On one occasion somewhere about 1830, a notable occurrence took place. The captain having tendered his resignation, the duties of command rested on the highest lieutenant, who happened to be John Miller. Orders having been sent from the headquarters in Springfield for general muster, Miller warned his company, trained them at the usual place, Ely Fuller’s tavern at Ludlow Center, and proceeded to the place of rendezvous. By the rank of the captain the company had a certain position in the regiment,
TOWN ANNALS iI)
but as Ludlow was then, as now, out in the woods, the colonel proposed to put Miller’s men in an inferior position. Having first tested the spirit of his men, Miller informed the colonel that he must have his right- ful position or none, and the position was that belonging to the captain whose command he represented. His demands not being allowed, he gave a signal to his men and their musicians (the best in the regiment) and led them away from the place of muster to the sound of fife and drum. Unfortunately, and wholly without intention on the part of Lieutenant Miller, the signal was given and obeyed during the service of prayer. As a result the officer was court-martialed and deprived of commission fora year. It was in this interim that Veranus Shattuck (“ Dr. Fog- gus’’), a veteran of the war of 1812, was elected captain, Miller’s sen- tence having prevented the first choice of the men from consummation. When the time was up, however, Miller was triumphantly elected captain, from which position he rose to be eventually leutenant-colonel, com- manding a regiment. Later he was chosen captain of a picked company of militia, called light infantry, which consisted of something like sixty men.
The Mexican War.—The Mexican war fever reached Ludlow, but only took effect in one case, Joseph Rood, who is supposed to have been wounded in one of the frays in the land of the Aztecs.
The Civil War.—There was but one sentiment manifest in Ludlow during the fearful days of the great Civil War,—allegiance to the Union. There were few towns more active, none more loyal.
Ere the echoes of Sumter’s guns had fairly died away, the citizens met (April 27, 1861) and appropriated $2,000 for those who would enlist in the service of the United States; $15 per month to be paid each volunteer engaged in actual drill service, $5 per month when in actual service, and $5 per month to each family of volunteers engaged in drill or actual service. In August, 1862, the town voted to pay $100 to each of seventeen men who would enlist to fill the quota required of the town in the call of the president for 300,000 men. Samuel King (son of Marvin King and brother of Arthur D. King) drew up before the grateful people fifteen strong yeomen who had responded. Meeting after meet- ing was held, keeping the interest at white heat. In March, 1863, the town voted to give $3,000 for the use of families of those who had volun- teered into the service of the United States, and in November of the same year, $2,400 was voted as bounty for volunteers to fill the quota for a
74 FUISTORY TOE UDO
second call of the president for 300,000 men, each enlisted man to receive $150. In March, 1864, the town appropriated $3,000 for aid to families of volunteers, and in April of the same year $1,275 was raised to pay the volunteers and $500 to pay the bounty promised to those mustered into the service under the call of October 17, 1863. In April, 1865, the town appropriated $2,500 for the aid of the families of the volunteers.
We need not cite the events which so frequently repeat the story of those terrible days. Another hand has traced the account, and from his narration we will draw our sketch in the main. (See Mr. Banister’s address following, also Mr. Tuck’s, Part III.) Suffice it to say, that of the men who went and suffered, some of them even unto death, nearly all were of the best blood in the town. They did not act in vain.
The war being ended, Ludlow welcomed home those remaining of her gallant sons, with thanksgivings mingled with tears for those who had fallen during the strife. Measures were taken in 1866 to erect a monu- ment to the memory of the fallen. The committee was appointed (Hezekiah “Root, chairman; Ff. F. Mclean, J.-P. Hubbard, Ss White and C. L. Buell), money raised, and a contract made with W.N. Flynt & Co. of Monson, resulting at last in the completion of the beautiful struc- ture standing near the old town-house. (See Mr. Tuck's address, Part III.) The memorial with the iron fence around it cost about $1,300. At its dedication, in the summer of 1867, a goodly company assembled and listened to an appropriate address from Rev. D. K. Banister, part of which we are permitted to place before the reader:
A worthy and patriotic object has called us together this morning. We have met to embalm the memories of those who, like the leader in the great conflict, fell, martyrs, in their country’s cause. In this great struggle and successful contest, not merely a Lincoln, a Grant, a Sherman and others high in command have borne a noble and import- ant part, but the lower grades of officers and the rank and file of the loyal hosts were all essential and are worthy of heroes’ fame. The privileges our institutions bring, and the civilization they uphold, pro- claim their excellence. The masses are lifted up, the avenues to eminence are open to the sons of the lowly and the poor, as well as the rich and honorable. How does the humble but meritorious backwoodsman find his way to the chief magistracy of a great nation, and this by his wisdom and goodness, and become the admiration of the world and of ages yet unborn? Whence the men whose discoveries have so marked the age in which we live?
TOWN ANNALS
~I un
This principle not only opens the way for aspiring genius and fosters it, but invests every loyal citizen with privileges beyond price. The value of our government is measured by the sum aggregate of its value to each of the loyal millions.
Whatever was thought at first, it soon became apparent that we had on our hands no mere holiday work, but a contest of fearful pro- portions. The frequent calls for men, for three hundred thousand men, to fill the fearful gaps in the loyal ranks, gave warning that to enlist was to meet a storm of great fury and power. These men most of them saw the danger and facedit. . . . Our war-meetings some- times presented scenes well worthy the painter’s pencil and the poet’s pen. I recollect attending one not far away, well worthy of remem- brance. Volunteers were called to come forward and give their names. A young man [Lyon] of noble spirit and form erect came forward and said in substance: ‘‘I love my country, and, if need be, I am willing to die for it, but I have aged parents that need my care; if I can be assured they will be cared for, I am willing to go;’’ while tears told the earnestness of his heart. The desired pledge was given, and he enlisted. Another [Pratt], of stalwart form and generous impulses, said, “I am willing to go if my family, my wife and children, can be cared for, if I return no more.”’ The promise desired was given, and he also enlisted. Another [Pott], English by birth, said he felt the cause to be worthy, and he was willing to stake his life for his adopted country, and gave his name. Of low stature, he expressed much concern lest he should be rejected on that account by the examining officer. They all went, and fell or died in their country’s service.
The first one that enlisted in the town [Brooks] is a case worthy of note. He lived in the village. He was a young man of intelligence, and in a good financial position. But hearing the call, his patriotic impulses were moved as though by inspiration. His room was embellished with mottoes like these: ‘“Our country calls and we must go; “Boys, our country needs us.’’ He, like other noble spirits, without the pressure and incidental: inducements of after years, enlisted, and fell a hero on the battle-field. . . . By such sacrifices the area of liberty has been extended and greatly promoted. The four millions of bondmen became free, the slavery remaining in the civilized world is doomed.
Free institutions, under the influence of an open Bible and gen- eral intelligence, are strong and reliable, as well as most benign; none stronger or so secure. This republican nation stands erect and purified, rebuking oppression everywhere, feared by its foes and respected by all, the world over. She bears the banner of freedom for the world. When the prophetic day of seven suns lighting up the world with millen- nial splendor shall be ushered in, it will be seen that this great contest and triumph had a marked and mighty influence in hastening the glorious consummation.
76 HISTORY OF LUDLOW
We append the names of those who went from and for the town as
soldiers in the Civil War, referring the reader for incidents to a following page. (See also Historical Address, Part III.) We give the names in alphabetical order, as the records show them, starring those who fell:
Philo W. B. Alden, Preston Alden, Hiram W. Aldrich,* Wilson Allen,
Dennis Anderson, George Ashton, James Bagley, Leonard Baker, Lemuel Bennett, Lyman Bennett,* Warren D. Bennett, Sumner Bodfish, Lyman Brewer,
John H. Brines, Edward F. Brooks,* James Buckley, Joseph A. Bugbee, Amaziah E. Burcham, Francis A. Burcham, Henry Bushey, Andrew Carpenter, Darwin Caswell, James Chapin, Augustus Chapman,* William F. Christian, Benjamin F. Clark, William Clements, John Coash,* Charles B. Comstock, Caspar Converse, Calvin Cooley, Thomas Cowan, Daniel D. Currier,*
Caleb Crowninshield,* John B. Dunn, Benjamin C. Davis, John B. Davis, Wilber Davis, Cornelius Dugan, Elisha Dutton, Charles B. Fay, George Feathers, Edward E. Fuller, J. R. Fuller, Horace Gates, Marvin Giboney, Austin C. Gove, Thomas Higgins, Isaac T. Hines, Henry Hobson, John Hobson, Jr., Henry A. Hubbard,* James B. Kellams, Andrew Kenney, James D. Kenney, Henry Keyes, Arthur King, Homer K. King, Samuel King, Francis R. Lemon, Dexter Lombard, Isaac Loury, Thomas I. Lyndes, Ebenezer Lyon,* John Mack,
Julius M. Marshall,
Harry Martin, John McCutcheon, John McDonald, Charles McFarland,* Charles McFeathers, Charles McKenney, Charles McSheney, Wilbur F. Miller, Thomas Mockler, Edward Morrill, Michael Munsing, Charles W. Nash, James L. Nash, Stephen O’Holloran, David M. Olds, Robert Parsons,* Henry M. Pease,* Levi L. Pease, Lyman Pease, James E. Perry, Anthony O. Pott,* Daniel Pratt,* Edwin Price, Flavius J. Putnam,*
TOWN ANNALS eal
Michael Reinhart, Andrew Renny, Wilson Rogers, Joseph Rood, William Sanderson, Daniel R. Sanger, Peter Scott,
John Shangnesey, Alexander Shaw, Charles Sikes, Charles Simonds, Francis F. Simonds, Franklin R. Simonds, Josiah Stephens, Edward H. Stewart, George L. Streeter, Addison Waide, George Wallace, Charles S. Washburn, William E. Washburn,* Abram W. Watson, Lovinski White, Loren Wood.
Henry Hobson was on board the Kearsarge, which sank the Alabama
off Cherbourg, France, in the Civil War.
From detailed accounts of the life and incidents of the stay in An-
dersonville, sent by surviving comrades who were there, we are per- mitted to cull brief selections:
From Jasper Harris of Holyoke:
The brigade including my regiment (16th Connecticut Volunteers) was captured April 23, 1864, at Plymouth, N. C., and taken en route for Andersonville, where our rebel guard told us was a splendid, shady camp, with plenty of new barracks for shelter. We arrived at the Anderson- ville station at dark on the evening of May 9. The next morning we were marched towards the stockade, a quarter of a mile away. Just before arriving at the main gate we came to a rise of ground from which could be seen the whole stockade, and most of the inside of it. I shall
78 HIsSTORN OF LUDLOW
never forget the gloomy and depressed feeling with which I looked on the horrible sight. The high log stockade was composed of straight young pines, cut sixteen feet long, hewn on two sides, the bark peeled off, and then the log sunk on end in a trench six feet deep, close together, leaving ten feet at least above ground on the inside. Cross-pieces were spiked to each timber horizontally, making a fence strong enough to hold cattle instead of men.
Rations were issued daily, being drawn into the stockade by a mule team, and when divided and subdivided furnished each man a pint and a half of cob-meal and from two to four ounces of bacon. For a few days we received two common-sized sticks of cord wood to be divided among ninety men.
Grant’s campaign had now commenced and soon more prisoners be- gan to come in. After a while came the Ludlow boys. The first man I met was Sergeant Perry, looking every inch a soldier, and in excellent health. The next was Flavius Putnam, a new recruit, captured in his first battle. I always knew him as being a thoroughly good man when I lived in Ludlow, and exceedingly strong and quick in farm work, and always cheerful.
If I should attempt to write a complete description of Andersonville and its horrors, of Wirtz, his guards and his bloodhounds, and all the sights and incidents which came under my own eye there and at other prisons during my eight months’ stay, of the murders and robberies amongst our own men, of the hanging of six of them by a court of our own men,—it would fill the pages of a large book, while a part would be descriptive of such monstrous cruelty and so striking to sensitive minds that I am afraid it would not be believed if written.
From an account by James E. Perry of Adrian, Mich.:
Just two weeks from the time we were captured found us marching into the renowned Andersonville prison pen. When introduced into that foul den of crime, wretchedness, and sorrow, our hearts failed us, and we made up our minds for the worst, and we would rather have risked our chance with the regiment even in those bloody battles of the campaign of 1864. One third of the men who occupied that vast charnel pen lie buried there to-day.
Willie Washburn died August 21, Daniel Pratt, August 22, Eben- ezer Lyon, September 11, Caleb Crowninshield, September 15, Hiram Aldrich, the latter part of September, John Coash, during the fall, Flavius Putnam, some time in September, Joseph Miller (not from Ludlow) and Albert Collins of Collins Depot, during the summer. Putnam and Coash were admitted to the hospital and died there. I think it can be truly said that these men died of starvation, for we received nothing that a sick man could relish or eat.
GRAND ARMY VETERANS, SONS OF VETERANS, CADETS, AND SCHOOL GIRLS, MEMorRIAL Day, 1911
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TOWN ANNALS 83
MEMORIAL DAy
Memorial Day is observed every year by the veterans of the Civil War and citizens of the town. Anappropriation is made each year by the town for the use of the Grand Army in the observance of the day. The children from the schools, the boy cadets, under command of Captain George Chamberlain, the veterans, and citizens form in line at the village and march to the different cemeteries, to decorate the graves of the soldiers therein, then return to the soldiers’ monument at the Center, where exercises are held. Later they proceed to the church, where the annual address is given. Afterwards the boy cadets give an exhibition drill near the monument. Dinner is served for all who wish by the ladies of the church.
CEMETERIES
From the house of God to the resting-place of the dead is a frequented path. There are sufficient references to the places of burial to assure us that these busy scenes were often interrupted by the service funereal.
The first cemetery of Ludlow was given by Benjamin Sikes, the earliest in town of that name, and is known as the Sikes Cemetery. It is situated about a mile northwest of the Center, near Truman Hub- bard’s. Mrs. Anna Sikes, wife of Lieut. John Sikes, was buried here in 1772. Benjamin Sikes was great great-grandfather of Otis Sikes, Mrs. Jackson Cady, and Danforth Sikes. There is something touching
in the record of the transaction.
Receiv’ a deed of Gift from M' Benjamin Sikes of a Certain piece of land in order to or as a place to bury our Dead—voted also that the Thanks of the Town be return® for the same to the said M" Sikes for his Benevolence.
A board fence around it was ordered in 1782. In 1865, Edward Sikes of Wisconsin, a descendant of the Ludlow Sikeses, and whose ancestors are here buried, left a sum of money to help build a wall around it, which was erected in the following year. This cemetery is still in use and in good condition. Many of the earliest settlers of the town are buried within it.
In 1792, the selectmen were instructed to procure a bier and keep it
in the meeting-house. There are a few (1911) living who remember this
84 HISTORY OF LUDEOW.
bier. It was made of four-inch square white pine timber, the handles being rounded. It was entirely painted black.
In 1794, a committee was appointed to obtain a deed of another burying ground, and, seven years later, although a little late in the courtesy, the town thanks Elisha Fuller for the cemetery adjoining the church on the south. (Elisha Fuller was the grandfather of Edward E. and Henry S. Fuller.) This is known as the Fuller Cemetery. The first person buried in it was a grandchild of Captain Joseph Miller, who was crushed to death beneath a cart wheel. Some of the stones indicate that it must have been in use as a place of burial some time before the formal
ceding of the ground. It was probably laid out in 1786, the first burial taking place that year.
It became necessary in 1805 to fence this yard with posts and rails and half wall. A dozen years later the people met to
“spell”? in repairing the fence.
In 1823 the town appropriated thirty dollars for a hearse. Before this time the dead were borne on biers to the grave, a journey of miles on foot being often required.
In 1825 the fences of both yards needed repairs. Simeon Pease, the wit of the town, bid off the repairs of the center yard at the sum of five cents, evidently to postpone the
HrApSTONE OF Hannan O_ps. work until the town would do it with thor- oughness. In a few weeks he became one of a committee to build a thorough half-wall fence, with sawed posts and rails above. Great excitement was caused about this time by a proposition to move all the bodies previously interred in this yard, the proposition being scornfully rejected—how wisely is not evident.
A hearse-house was erected in 1827. It stood near the southwest corner of the present First Church and was painted red.
The East Cemetery, familiarly called the “Ould Burying Ground,” lying partly in Ludlow and partly in Belchertown, is inclosed by one fence, each town caring for its own portion. It was laid out in 1801. The oldest stone in this cemetery is that of Hannah Jones Olds, who
TOWN ANNALS a)
oT
is buried in the Belchertown portion of the yard. She was born in 1728 and died in 1802. Here also lie “ Nick” and ‘‘Tarzy,” though on opposite sides of the dividing line. A bequest from Ludlow has been left for a lot in that yard.
The Center Cemetery, containing three acres, was purchased from Increase Sikes, and opened in 1842. Mr. Sikes found three cemeteries upon his farm at that time. The first person buried was John Q. Day, son of Zachariah Day; the second, a son of Henry or Harry Fuller, and brother of Edward E. Fuller; third, Harriet E. Burr, daughter of Lyman Burr, and sister of Benjamin F. Burr. All were buried in Septem- ber, 1843.
The lots in this cemetery were given to the residents of the town without cost, when a lot was needed, but not before. The remains of three of the Ludlow pastors lie in this yard, Rev. Ebenezer B. Wright and Rev. Jeremy Webster Tuck, who were pastors of the First Church for long terms, and Rev. Daniel K. Banister, who was pastor of the Methodist Church and was here when the Civil War broke out, and whom the whole town loved. He attended the funerals of many of the people of the First Church and Society, as they had no pastor
at that time. These beloved pas-
FOOTSTONE OF HANNAH OLDS
tors are buried near each other on
the east side of the cemetery and north of the hearse-house. A minister from an adjoining town said as he stood by their graves, ‘‘What a pleasant spot for the burial of ministers, where they lie facing the East!’ There are many handsome monuments in this cemetery.
The first mention of the cemetery at the village, which was later removed to Island Pond Cemetery, was on May 30, 1842, the year the town was asked to enlarge it. The tomb was constructed in 1846, at a cost of $100.
86 HISTORY OF LUDEOW
The Island Pond Cemetery is the latest laid out. In 1891, the town elected three cemetery commissioners, Benjamin F. Burr for three years, Charles F. Grosvenor for two years, and Edward E. Fuller for one year, also Jackson Cady and Danforth W. Sikes in addition, together with the selectmen, to choose a site fora new cemetery. They purchased eighteen acres of land of Michael H. Lyons near Chapin Pond, about a mile north of the village. Charles F. Grosvenor took charge of laying out and get- ting it ready for use.
A year or two later the bodies from the old cemetery in the village were removed to the new cemetery and the old site was deeded to the Ludlow Manufacturing Associates.
In 1893, Robert Kyle was elected to succeed Mr. Grosvenor; in 1907, Elbridge J. Streeter succeeded Mr. Fuller, and Arthur M. Jones succeeded Mr. Burr, who resigned; in 1908, H. Berton Payne succeeded Mr. Kyle; in 1911, the commissioners are Minor M. Wilder, Arthur M. Jones, Charles Graham.
Many have left bequests, and others have given sums of money that the income may be used by the town for perpetual care of their lots. The town, however, takes good care of all of them, besides giving special care to those for which a fund has been left.
Bequests and gifts have been made by the following persons: Rufus Kimball, Mrs. Sarah Swart, Mrs. Joanna Fuller, Mrs. Martha Billings, Mrs. Martha B. Kendall, Mrs. Delia E. Talmadge, Austin F. Nash, Mrs. Susan A. Green, Mrs. Amnie Hubbard, John B. Alden; Mrs. Olivet B. F. Bridge, Mrs. Theodosia P. Clough, Isaac H. Plumley, Alexander Whitney, Mrs. Charles Beebe, Mrs. Lucy A. Perry, children of Daniel Brewer and Ela Walker, Mrs. Harriett A. Baggs, Mrs. Mary Tuck Vinal (daughter of Rev. J. W. Tuck), D. M. Collins, Benjamin ‘F. Burr, and Chauncey Davis.
TOWN
ANNALS
EPITAPHS
The following quaint epitaphs are found in the three oldest cemeteries in Ludlow: the first six in the old Center or Sikes Cemetery, the next ten in the North yard or Fuller Cemetery, and the last four in the East yard or ‘Ould
Burying Ground.”
This stone is erected
to the memory of a son
and a Daughter of Cap'
Joseph and M'™: Mary
Miller (viz) Wilder, who
died Oct 13 1786 in the 5
year of his age.
And Joanna who died Dec
10, 1787, in the 3 year of her age.
When death receives the dire command None can elude or ftay his hand
Nor can a hope or beauty fave
From the dire conquest of the grave.
In Memory of Chester the Son of M' Asa & M's Sarah Dodge who Died Sept™ 11% 1805, aged 3 years 4 Months & 18 days
With disentery & with worms God did Death licence give
To take my precious Soul away And fay I fhould not live.
In memory of Mr. Cyprian and Mrs. Lucy Wright who died as follows viz. She died August 22"¢ 1794 in the 37th year of her age he died Jan 7th Vie inet hier Ath
year of his age,
Kind reader, when these lines you see
Think how uncertain life may be: We once had life & health like you But now have bid the world adieu.
In memory of Doce Rhalip iy om who died July 25 1802 aged 40 years Who after having experienced the sweets of connubial bliss died leaving no family. his amiable consort died at Ran- dolph Oct 1801.
88 HISTORY
Sacred to the memory of Cap! Joseph Miller who departed this life at West Spring field April 3 1803 Aged 79 years. Praifes on tombs are titles vainly spent.
A mans good name is his beft monument.
SACRED To THE MEMO RY of Mr® Mary wife of
Mr Leonard Miller who died in Childbed June 6 1790
in the 38 year of her age Befides a birth and fhe left 8 fmall
te Children to mourn her untimely fa
In memory of MES Sarah wife of Mr Timothy Root who died Mar 3 1785 in her 44 year Also an infant bury -ed by her
side
OF LUDLOW
In memory of
Mr Gap LYon who died Dice 265, P3815
aged 47 years.
Depart my friends dry up your tears Here I must lie till Christ appears.
In Memory of Mr® Cyrena Sikes the Consort of Mr Jonathan Sikes who died Dec. 11, 1808. Et, 28. Lie here dear Wife & take thy reft
GOD cols the hum For he tninks it beft
In memory of Lieut JOHN SIKES who died July 27, 1807 in the
60 year of his age
Friends nor phyficians
could not fave This mortal body from the grave Nor can the grave confine it here When Chrift commands it to appear.
TOWN ANNALS
In memory of M&S HANNAH SIKES the wife of M" Benjamin Sikes who died Apr 17 : 1790 Aged $4 years
Life is uncertain Death is fure
Sin is the wound & Chrift the cure
In memory of M' ABNER SIKES who died Jun 24 1800 im the 7/0 year
of his age
Our age to Sevnty years are set
& not but few who to them get
Submit dau‘ of M*™ Reuben & M' Mary Chapin was born July 3¢ 1774 & died Oct 16th 1776
Merick Son of above Nam? Chapin died at Fifhkilla e 16 22 Jan 1778 aged 16 Years
In memory of NIRS evita y wife of M' John Sikes who died June 9 1772 in : 23™ Year
of her Age
Boaft not thyself of tomorrow for thou knoweft not what a day may bring forth.
In Memory of ME Mary SIKES wife of M' Abner Sikes who died March 10' 1818
85 years
At
by faith in Christ I left this Stage
89
In Memory of
Miss SARAH SIKES
daughter of Lieut John Sikes & Mrs Sarah his 24 wife who died Sep! 19th 1806 aged 20
years
The longest life must have an end
Therefore beware how time you spend
90 HISTORY OF EUDEOW
In Memory of M®&® BENJAMIN SIKES who died Auguft 2¢ 1781
Aged 77 years
Death is a debt To nature due Which I have paid & fo muft you.
IN MEMORY OF THE WIDOW HANN® OLDS WIFE OF MR JONATHAN OLDS DECEAST WHO DIED FEB 3¢ 1802 IN 74 YEAR OF
(illegible)
Mortals we are none can deny Farewell my friends prepare to die
In memory of MF BERIAH JENNINGS who died May 12th 1776 in the 45 year of his Age.
BERIAH JENNINGS Ju® fon of Beriah & Eunice Jennings who died Decr 8th 1775 in the 22 year of his age.
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.
Mie Dav id er aaime Departed this [eaten ipmelyan2ae 130) (by accart wheel runing acrofs his breast: he expired instantly) AXt. 70 He was a friend to Religion & Piety
Return my friends without a tear Devote your lives unto God's fear: That you with him may always live This is the last advice I give.
In memory of NIGCHOEASs DANES
who died April 26, 1827 AEt. 65
Mrs Mahitable wife of Rev Ephraim Scott died May 25 1831 Ax 34
There is rest in heaven.
TOWN ANNALS 91
CORY OF AN OLD DEED
(The original is in the Historical Room in the Library)
To All People to whom these Prefents Shall come, GREETING:
KNOW YE, That I Chauncy Brewer of Springfield in the County of Hampshire & State of the Mafsachusetts Bay Esq'
For and in confideration of the Sum of Fifteen Pounds Current Money of the State aforesaid, to me in Hand paid before the Enfealing hereof by Elisha Fuller of Ludlow in the aforesaid County Yeoman
the Receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge and am fully fatisfied, contented and paid, HAVE given, granted, bargained, fold, aliened, released, conveyed and confirmed, and by thefe Prefents, do freely, clearly and abfolutely give, grant, bargain, fell, aliene, releafe, convey and confirm unto him the faid Elisha Fuller his heirs and Affigns for ever, A certain Lot of Land lying & being in the Town of Ludlow; being Lot No. 99: Originally laid out to John Miller; said Lot being Six Rods & five feet in width & four Miles in Length & Containing fifty Acres be the same more or lefs.—
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the before granted Premifes, with the Appurtenances and Privileges thereto belonging, to him the faid Elisha Fuller his Heirs and Affigns: To his and their own proper Ufe, Benefit and Behoof forevermore. And I the faid Chauncy Brewer for myself my Heirs, Executors and Administrators, do Covenant, promise and Grant unto and with the faid Elisha Fuller his Heirs and Affigns, for ever, That before and until the Enfealing hereof, I am the true, fole, proper and lawful Owner and Poffeffor of the before-granted Premifes, with the Appurtenances. And have in myself good Right, full Power and lawful Authority to give, grant, bargain, fell, aliene, releafe convey and confirm the fame as aforefaid; and that free and clear, and freely and clearly executed, acquitted and difcharged of and from all former and other Gifts, Grants, Bargains, Sales, Leafes, Mortgages, Wills, Intails, Joyntures, Dowries, Thirds, Executions and Incumbrances Whatfoever.
AND FURTHERMORE, I the faid Chauncy Brewer for myself my Heirs, Executors, and Adminiftrators, do hereby Covenant, Promife and Engage the before-granted Premifes with the Appurtenances unto him the said Elisha Fuller his Heirs and Affigns, for ever to Warrant,
92 HISTORY OF LUDLOW
Secure and Defend againft the lawful Claims or Demands of any Perfon or Perfons whatfoever.
And I Amy Brewer wife of the faid Chauncy, do hereby relinquish all my Right of Dower or Thirds in or unto the afore bargain® Lot of Land.
In Witnefs Whereof We have hereunto fet our Hands & Seals this Twenty third Day of June Dom: 1780.
Sign" Seal? & CHAUNCY BREWER ( seal ) Delivered in AMY BREWER ( seal ) Prefence of Natu! BREWER } EUNICE BREWER J Chauncy Brewer & Wife Deed to Josh* Fuller Rei? June 24th 1780 Wrees Hampshire fs. June 24'? 1780
Then the within named Chauncy Brewer
acknowledged written Instrument to be his free Act & Deed before W™ Pynchon Jun’ Just Pacis Hampfhire fs Springfield June 24 1780 Received & Registered in Lib. 15. fol. 715 and Examined
P' W™ Pynchon Jun Reg"
IV TOWN DEVELOPMENT
Population—Longevity—Highways and bridges: Early roads; First bridges: Put’s bridge; Cooley bridge; First bridge at Collins Station; Red bridge; Iron bridge—Care of highways, Wages, Commissioner, State highway— Railroads: Boston and Albany; Springfield and Athol; Hampden—The street railway—The Ludlow reservoir—Fire department—Fire alarm
system—Lighting: Gas, Electric lights—Telephones— Post office: At Jenks- ville, Postmasters; At Ludlow Center—Rural free delivery—Taverns— Stores: Center, Village—Savings bank—Court—Library—Antiques and relics—Hospital—Fraternal organizations: Brigham Lodge of Masons; Ludlow Farmers Club; Patrons of Husbandry, Ludlow Grange, No. 179; Women’s Club; The Ludlow Social and Debating Club—Physicians— Lawyers.
POPULATION
In 1774, the settlement at Stony Hill numbered two or three hundred. No further statistics are available till 1835, when the number given is 1,329: im 1840 it was 12268:#in?b850, 1,186: in 1860, 1,174: im 1870, Piso am LSS0) 15265 in 18907 950) im 1900; 3-536: and sin .1910-only a few less than 5,000.
Ludlow has long been noted for the longevity of its inhabitants. Of twenty deaths in 1874 (the year of its centennial) nine were of persons over sixty years of age, and one had borne the weight of a hundred win- ters less three.
HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES
Taking in survey the period from the incorporation of Ludlow to the end of the eighteenth century we find that it was a time of establishment. At its close, across the trackless wilds of 1774 were marked the lines of travel. The embryo neighborhoods of the earlier date had developed into considerable communities, while clusters of houses had been formed elsewhere. The fertile slopes of the eastern base of Mineachogue had been improved by the Danielses, Oldses, and Wrights; the dense woods along Broad Brook above had been invaded and appropriated by the Aldens, then nearer than now kindred of John Alden and “ Priscilla, the
04 HISTORY OF LUDLOW
Puritan maiden”; and there are not wanting those who trace the fairness of many a Ludlow maiden back
“To the damsel Priscilla, the loveliest maiden of Plymouth.”’
The Lyons also had commenced a settlement where their descendants now live and thrive, while the falls of Wallamanumps already had con- stant admirers in those dwelling near by.
OLp LupLOW BRIDGE ACROSS CHICOPEE RIVER Taken from Springfield side
The early annals of the highways are very defective, so much so that they can with the greatest difficulty be traced at all. The first roads in the town were merely bridle paths which were marked by blazed trees. After the incorporation of the district, the roads from the present west schoolhouse to Ludlow City, and from L. Simonds’s to Jenksville, are the first mentioned. The old Cherry Valley road through to John Wilson Hubbard’s, but not entirely as now, was laid out in 1782, and that
TOWN DEVELOPMENT | 95
from the Mann place (now E. J. Streeter’s) to W. G. Fuller’s in the same year. A highway from the East Cemetery to Miller Corner was pro- jected in 1784, and the same year one across Cedar Swamp. The road from the Congregational Church northward was laid out in 1800, and the land damages were one shilling per square rod. In 1793, a petition was sent the county officers to lay out a road corresponding to the route from Collins Station to Granby, as part of a line which shall ‘‘commode the travil from the eastern part of Connecticut to Dartmouth Colledge in New Hampshire.”’
The first reference to guideboards is in 1795, when it needed a com- mittee of nine to erect ‘‘way-posts.”’
Nearly every highway east of the mountain was either laid out or re laid before 1811; a different course was marked out and worked from John Wilson Hubbard’s and between Lovinski White’s and the moun- tain south, where Jonathan Burr lived, to the Center post office, in 1803, involving the first construction of the terrible Cedar Swamp causeway, so long an eyesore to exasperated townspeople and bewildered selectmen. In 1817 was established the highway from Joy’s store to Plumley’s, to accommodate, it is said, travel from the Jenksville to the Three Rivers factories. A year later somebody called down the wrath of the county commissioners on the principal north and south roads through the town, resulting in general repairs and relocation of the Put’s bridge and Belcher- town and Collins and Granby routes. In 1826 we find one of the earlier movements toward a money system of repairing the highways.
The road from the present Danforth W. Sikes place southward was laid out in 1834, and one or two smaller ways of travel established, while of course Cedar Swamp continued to perplex the citizens.
Before the opening of the eighteenth century only the most inexpen- sive modes of crossing the Chicopee were employed. It can hardly be presumed that the bridge for which provision is made in the charter was on the Ludlow line. A memorandum of highway survey bearing the date of 1776 speaks of the north end of a bridge which was probably at Wallamanumps. There were “riding places’’ or fords at Wallamanumps and where now Collins bridge spans the stream. As early as 1781, a committee from Ludlow was to meet another from Springfield to see about the construction of a bridge at Wallamanumps. In 1788 £50 was granted for a like purpose in April, and in November a committee on sub-
scriptions was appointed, possibly to secure a better bridge than the town
96 HISTORY OF LUDLOW
felt able to construct unassisted. In 1792 the bridge, which must have made pretensions to respectability, had probably become a river craft, for the town petitions the county authorities for another.
In 1794 plans more or less elaborate were consummated for a struc- ture, which was inspected by a solemn committee in the later autumn. The conditions of building are worthy of preservation.
Voted that any Person or Persons that will undertake and build with good materials a good substantial Bridge over Chicopee River, so called, at Wallamanumps Falls, and shall keep the same in good repair, shall receive sixty pounds from the town of Ludlow—Provided that the Person or Persons being so entitled to the said sum of sixty pounds for building the said Bridge shall procure sufficient bonds to the Town Treas’ in the sum of one hundred and twenty pounds for the return of the same money into the Treas' of said Town if the same bridge so built shall not stand the rapidity of the Floods and the Breaking up of the winter, for four years—And also that the same Person or Persons that shall build the same shall be entitled to all the fare or toll allowed by Law from all Persons not being inhabitants of the Town of Ludlow forever.
Eli Putnam, moderator of the meeting at which this action was taken, evidently considered the vote as a challenge, and proceeded to the erec- tion of the first Putnam’s or Put’s bridge, also, probably, the first toll bridge at that point. Whether it was worthy of the capitals in the town record cannot be determined at this date. It seems, however, to have answered the requirement, for all is quiet until 1801, when the town again finds itself bridgeless. After an unsuccessful attempt to saddle the burden upon the county and an attempt equally unsuccessful to build from town funds, a committee for soliciting subscriptions was appointed, who, it may be presumed, built a bridge, for nothing was said for eleven years. This brings us to the time of the construction of the famous Cooley bridge, which started froma point near the north abutment of the present structure, then ran to a pier in the mid-stream, then at a different angle to an abutment considerably west of the present south abutment. It was a covered bridge, and one through which no one could see. Its height must have been good, for some camels once passed through. The boys of the village were apprised of the coming wonder. The beasts passed through in the night, but Yankee ingenuity could not be baffled
by darkness, and so a section was illuminated. It became convenient
TOWN DEVELOPMENT 97
to arrest the camels at the toll house, on the south end, inasmuch as astute legislators had failed to place these animals on the toll list. The delay accomplished at least its intended result, in giving the boys a good glimpse at the rare beasts of burden. So says Hezekiah Root, then one of the “boys.” Capt. Ariel Cooley received five hundred dollars for his work, he guaranteeing a free and safe passage across the stream so long as the life of the charter continued.
This bridge having been worn out or carried away, measures were taken to build another, resulting in 1822 in the completion of a sub- stantial structure at a cost of $3,347.30, which stood until 1897, when it was replaced by the present bridge. Abner Putnam, Benjamin Jenks, and Simeon Pease were the committee of construction. References to a bridge where now stands the “red bridge’ begin in 1836, while in the following year the present structure was erected. Before reaching it, there was once a dry bridge near the river. The practice of lighting the Jenksville bridge is mentioned first in 1842 as the duty of the town. The road from Eaton’s mills to Indian Orchard, including the iron bridge spanning the Chicopee River at that village, was built by order of the county commissioners in 1866. The first bridge at Collins Depot, a pier bridge, dates before 1850, but was carried away by a flood. The present structure was erected in 1851. In 1873 the “red bridge’’ was thoroughly overhauled and made serviceable for many years; it was a wooden covered bridge. In 1900 an iron bridge was built at Red Bridge.
On October 5, 1869, there was a great flood which carried away bridges and caused heavy damage to highways and railroads.
The condition of the old covered bridge across Chicopee River at the village known as “‘ Put’s Bridge’’ had led the citizens of the town to con- sider the question of a new one, and in 1896, a committee consisting of J. E. Stevens, E. E. Fuller, and Benjamin F. Burr, was appointed to con- sider the matter of a new bridge and report at a future meeting of the voters. A careful study of the questions involved and conferences with the authorities of the City of Springfield, the County Commissioner, and the Ludlow Manufacturing Company were held. After an expert examination of the old bridge, the committee reported that the bridge was of doubtful stability, that it could not be left in its existing condi- tion with safety, and recommended a new one.
The town then voted to build, in accordance with the recommenda-
98 HISTORY “OF LUDEOW
tions of the committee, a substantial iron or steel bridge, near the site of the old one. In 1897 an agreement was made among the parties con- cerned, whereby the City of Springfield and the Town of Ludlow were to contribute equally to the construction and maintenance thereafter. The City of Springfield and the Ludlow Manufacturing Company were each to pay one half the expense of the approaches on the Springfield side, and the Company and the Town of Ludlow were to arrange mutually for those on the Ludlow side. The town appropriated $8,000 for its share of the cost. A fine and substantial iron structure was erected, greatly improy- ing the entrance to the town.
The care of highways in former years was assigned to men in each district and taxpayers were given the opportunity to work out their taxes on the highway if they desired. The compensation has varied at different periods. In 1864 one shilling per hour was allowed. In 1871 twenty cents an hour before July 1, and one shilling per hour after that time, was allowed. In 1877 three dollars and fifty cents a day was allowed for a man with team, and one dollar and twenty-five cents for a man alone, at ten hours’ labor. In more recent years the compensation has been increased, and only pay for actual labor performed on the high- way allowed, the time spent in going to and from the work not being counted.
In 1879 the town voted that the care of the highways and bridges, except those over the Chicopee River and Higher Brook below Harris's sawmill, and at Ludlow City near Carver’s sawmill, be contracted to one man for the term of five years. At the expiration of this term the high- ways were contracted to one man for one year. In 1899 the highway surveyor was instructed to divide the town into districts and appoint a man in each district to go over the roads at least once in four weeks to remove small stones, repair water courses, and fill up ruts. A highway commissioner who has charge of all the highways in the town is now elected by the voters at the annual town meeting.
In 1896 the town voted to instruct the selectmen to make application for a State highway, and that this road should be located between the village and Ludlow Center. Three hundred dollars was appropriated to defray the expenses of making the application. The efforts of the selectmen were not successful and no State road has yet been
located in town.
TOWN DEVELOPMENT 99
RAILROADS
The opening of the Western (now the Boston and Albany) Railroad of course was a matter of interest and indirect value to the town.
There is one railroad extending through the town, the Springfield and Athol, now a part of the New York Central Railroad. When the road was under contemplation, the promoters endeavored to secure town aid in consideration of passing through Ludlow Center. The town voted 89 yeas against 68 nays to take stock in the road, the amount not to exceed three per cent of the valuation of the town, provided the road came within one fourth of a mile of Ashbel P. Chapin’s, or what is called the ‘old Tavern Stand,’ at Ludlow Center. These terms were not accepted by the railroad, which was built through the village of Ludlow, and passed through the outskirts of the town, stopping its trains at Collins Station and Red Bridge. The construction of this railroad demanded another bridge across the Chicopee, spanning the stream at the Indian Leap, where also the aqueduct for the City of Springfield connects the proximate cliffs on either side of the stream.
A new railroad through the town, called the Hampden Railroad, is now under construction (1911). The entire route covered lies be- tween Athol Junction in the city of Springfield, and Hastings Crossing in the town of Palmer, crossing the town of Ludlow, west to east, from the land of Jackson Cady to the Red Bridge district.
STREET RAILWAY
In the winter of 1907 and 1908, the proposition for a street railway in the town was first discussed at a conference of the selectmen with representative officials from the Springfield Street Railway Company and the Ludlow Manufacturing Associates. The first proposition was that the Ludlow Associates should furnish the power, and in addition to the regular traffic, that the Springfield Street Railway should run extra cars, at reduced fares morning and evening, for the accommodation of the mill employees. Lacking agreement, the proposition was abandoned, to be revived later with another, that the Springfield Street Railway fur- nish all the power and equipment.
The route of the road was mapped out and a franchise about to be granted when a question of fares and transfers once more delayed the work. In the summer of 1910, all the interested parties having finally
100 HISTORY OF LUDEOW,
come to an agreement, a franchise was granted by the selectmen to the Springfield Street Railway to lay rails from the end of the Indian Orchard line across the bridge, along East Street to Sewall, and from Sewall along Winsor to the terminus at Franklin, a distance of nearly one mile.
The work of construction was awarded by contract to the Birnie, Adams & Ruxton Construction Company, who began their work in September, 1911, all the work overhead being done by the Springfield Street Railway Company. Cars were first sent over the tracks Decem- ber 21, 1911, and the townspeople are looking forward to the increased accommodation with keen pleasure. It is hoped there may be a belt line of the town eventually.
THE LUDLOW RESERVOIR
The Ludlow Reservoir, built in 1873 and 1874, is in the eastern part of the town, in the portion familiarly called Cherry Valley. Three natural streams, Broad Brook, Jabish Brook, and Higher Brook, have been diverted to feed this body of water in addition to the large natural watershed. This tract contained some of the best farming land in the town. The reservoir furnishes water to the Town of Ludlow and was until 1910 the principal supply for the City of Springfield, by whom it was built.
It was remarked by one of the reporters of our centennial celebration that ‘‘ the genius of change has conquered even this stronghold of old New England conservatism at last; as Ludlow was recalling her most treas- ured associations around the church, Springfield was laying her obnoxious water-pipes at the very door of the old house of worship.’’ When the region known as Cherry Valley was added to the proposed locations of the reservoir for the Springfield water supply, there were few, in town or out, who supposed the place would be selected. The year 1873, however, had hardly begun before the announcement was made that Ludlow brooks would be diverted into an aqueduct leading to the city. The last month of the year found a large number of employees at work upon the basin and the eastern dam. By the first of April the basin and its slopes had been cleared of wood, enough having been cut off to make a solid fence a considerable portion of the way around. On the 6th of April the trenching for the pipes was begun and work resumed upon the dam. On the 9th of October the gangs going towards and from Springfield met, thus practically finishing the work of laying the ‘“‘big main.” Of this
TOWN DEVELOPMENT | 101
largest piping about a half mile of cast iron tube was laid from the southern dam to Higher Brook, while cement-lined sheet iron tubes extend from that point to the city. The number of acres in the bed of the reservoir is four hundred and forty-five, to which must be added a marginal area of three hundred and sixty acres. Of this entire territory two hundred and eighty acres were woodland. Six and three eighths acres of swamp were covered with 13,924 cubic yards of sand, and a little over one half as much was sanded between the south dam and _ the filter. The land was purchased of Benjamin Sikes and Sons, Reuben
LUDLOW RESERVOIR WITH GATE-HOUSE AND DWELLING
Sikes, Silas Billings, Adelbert L. Bennett, Charles S. Bennett, John L. Banister, Mrs. Margaret Sikes, Marvin King, and Charles W. Alden. A ditch of a mile in length turns Higher Brook into the reservoir, and one, longer and larger, taps Broad Brook just north of the town line. No pains was spared to put the bed of the reservoir into proper condition, as the report of the Water Commissioners for 1875 shows:
In excavating for the trench to take the water from the general level of the flats above the Cherry Valley dam, the material thrown out, which
102 HISTORY OF LUDEOW
consisted for the most part of coarse gravel, was used to cover the peaty bottom. The area thus trenched and covered was about ten acres. That portion between the Ludlow dam and the filter, an area of three and three fourths acres, has been covered with about two feet in depth of good clean sand. From the Ludlow dam, extending in the valley northeasterly on the low ground for about fifteen acres, a mass of decaying pine stumps has been pulled out and burned. Much pains has been taken to char large stumps while burning the ground over, and burn them up as far as practicable. For this purpose a considerable quantity of kerosene oil has been used with which to ignite them. In this manner, although the stumps would not be entirely consumed, they are so far charred or con- sumed by the operation as to be rendered much less harmful than they would otherwise be. Of the peaty and swampy portions of the bed of the reservoir, none are covered with less than twelve feet of water with a full pond, the most of which will not be less than sixteen feet.
The commissioners under whose direction the enterprise was carried Out, were,@1O. Chapin. D> iE. Harris, AyD. Brigesss: WeakonensGu CG Fisk, and Horace Smith, while Hon. Phinehas Ball of Worcester was chief engineer. A large number of Ludlow men were employed as overseers or workmen.
LupLOW FIRE DEPARTMENT
In the month of June, 1910, the Board of Selectmen decided that the town should have a regularly organized fire department. Previous to this date fire protection was dependent upon the fire department belong- ing to the Ludlow Manufacturing Associates. At the regular town- meeting in April, 1910, there was appropriated the sum of $2,000 to buy land and erect a fire station in the district known as “Little Canada.” The necessity of organizing a fire company for this station was very apparent to the selectmen.
The Fire Department was then organized with a chief engineer and twelve men to respond to calls for fires in their respective districts during the night. The chief engineer was appointed the executive officer ot the department to take charge of all fires occurring in the town.
When the fire station at the corner of Holyoke Road and Mero Street was completed, it was placed in the care of the newly organized Fire Department. All the fire apparatus which had been previously stored in a shed on Stebbins Street was removed to the new building.
This company since its installation, has given complete satisfaction,
especially to the immediate vicinity, where a feeling of security was not
TOWN DEVELOPMENT 103
possible previously when fire protection was dependent upon the village department.
The village, since the introduction of the waterworks, has been cared for in this respect by the mill fire department, which was reorgan- ized in 1907. It responds to all fires, both day and night, that may occur inthe town. There are six small hose houses located at convenient points in the village. Twenty-one Gamewell fire alarm boxes connected with the mill steam whistle are conveniently placed, besides modern hydrants for fire service specially.
The town has also in its service a hose wagon equipped with four hundred feet of first class cotton rubber-lined 258 inch hose, with other necessary equipment, which is kept in the rear of A. H. Bartlett’s house on North Street. The first company responding to an alarm of fire in the immediate vicinity uses this wagon.
A fire alarm system was installed in the village in 1907, and in the same year the town voted to establish not fewer than twelve watchmen’s stations inside the limits, the same to be placed so as to give the most efficient supervision possible for the entire village. The chief of police Was instructed to carry a watchman’s clock and visit each station at least once in every two hours between 6 P.M. and 4 A.M., the last round to be finished not later than 3.30 A.M. The clock was to be in charge of the town treasurer, who was to keep paper dials on file for
inspection. LIGHTING
The village is lighted by electricity, an appropriation being made by the town each year for that purpose and a contract made with the Ludlow Manufacturing Associates to light the streets with all-night service.
The earliest lighting was by means of gas. In 1906 the town granted the Springfield Gas Light Company the right to lay pipes in the village
and thus supply the families and business firms with gas.
TELEPHONES
The New England Telephone and Telegraph Company extended its lines into Ludlow in 1903 and many of the farmers as well as the residents
of the village installed telephones. Day service only was at first granted,
104 HISTORY OF UDEOW
but both day and night service is now in operation. There are in 1911
about 75 telephones in use in the town.
THE Post OFFICE
The first post office was established in 1815 at Ludlow Village, supposedly in the store of Benjamin Jenks. The mail route for a while was through the town from north to south, a cavalier with drawn pistols
carrying the precious bag.
HoME OF GEORGE N. HUBBARD Formerly a Tavern kept by Elam Wright
The first postmaster, Benjamin Jenks, was appointed February 15, 1821. His successors were Joseph Bucklin, appointed April 23, 1839; E. C. Jenks, February 20, 1843; William B. Miller, August 10, 1848; S. B. Stebbins, May 30, 1849; Jerre Miller, June 18, 1850; W.S. Miller, August 28, 1857; Lewis Harrington, April 26, 1859; E. M. Smith, June 17, 1868; David Joy, January 17, 1873; D. N. Beckwith, June 6, 13878; James Haviland, April 4, 1888; George A. Birnie, December 23, 1889; James Haviland, July 31, 1893; George A. Birnie, August 2, 1897.
TOWN DEVELOPMENT 105
The Ludlow Center post office was established June 15, 1874, and opened early in July. Mrs. Susan A. Chapin was appointed first to the headship, and was succeeded November 12, 1891, by Leavitt Perham.
There are two rural free delivery routes in Ludlow. Number one was established February 1, 1902, and number two, May 1, 1902. The carrier for Route No. 1, William C. Walker, was unable to cover his course one day and but half of it on another, during the nine years. Carrier No. 2, Adelbert Corwin, lost one day and covered all but one
THE ELy FULLER TAVERN Louis Chapin
fourth of his on another in the same time. These are remarkable records. TAVERNS
On the old Dorman place to the south of the center, it is said, stood the oldest tavern in Ludlow. Another called ‘‘The Ark”’ was kept by Ezekiel Fuller, and stood at the ‘‘west middle” part of the town in 1787. It was afterwards the home of Amos Kendall. John Jennings was
106 HISTORY ORAL UDEOW
proprietor of a third tavern at an early date at the Jennings place. About the same time another was kept by Elam Wright near Ezekiel Fuller’s.
The first tavern at the center was kept by Ely Fuller for a number of years. It was known as the ‘old Fuller tavern stand,’ and was a favorite place of resort. In tavern days this house had piazzas two
stories high extending the full length of the house, with an annex
THE Dan Husparpd House Formerly a Tavern. Headquarters of the “Know Nothing Club”
built towards the east with a driveway under the second story. It was a much more pretentious building then, and had a tall sign in front. The green at the front was used asa muster ground for the Ludlow militia between 1820 and 1843. An occasional sham fight made a day to be remembered by the boys and girls who were chaperoned thereto by a trusty neighbor. The town clerk’s office was in this house for many
years, as Mr. Fuller was the town clerk. After his death his family
TOWN DEVELOPMENT 107
lived there for some time. Isaac Plumley succeeded them and was pro- prietor for a few years.
Calvin Eaton kept the first tavern at Jenksville. He was followed in turn by a Mr. Sawin, Ashley Haydon, and Jerre Miller. There is no tavern or hotel in Ludlow at the present time.
A hundred years or more ago, Ezekiel Barton built what is known as the Dan Hubbard house (south of the one where Charles Fairbanks lives) for a hotel, which was kept by him. Later one of the rooms was used as place of meeting by a political body known as the “Know Nothing Cluk.”
STORES
Elisha Fuller had one of the first stores in Ludlow. It was on the corner opposite the Fuller tavern in Ludlow Center. The date of its opening is not known, but his account book shows charges against Rev. Antipas Steward, who was ordained in 1793 as the first pastor of the town. Mr. Fuller kept this store as late as 1840. About 1850 Lucien Cooley had a store in the Fuller shop. Another was kept at one time in the L of the hotel building. Homer and Arthur King, Chester Graves, F. O. Taylor, E. E. Pease, and Jasper Knight have also been merchants at Ludlow Center.
As early as 1814 Benjamin Jenks and his partners had a store in Jenksville. After the failure of his company in 1846, Ephraim Jenks & Son traded there for a time. Jerre Miller in 1855, and later his son Austin, also had stores there. Harrington & Root, Walter S. Miller, Daniel Beckwith, Eli M. Smith, and David Joy were also storekeepers in the same building. Another store was opened by Howard & Beckwith in 1878. Other merchants in Ludlow Village have been Harmon Booth, Henry P. Jenks, James Jenks, M. DeL. Towne, Frank
A. Towne, and Edmund Bliss.
LupLow SAVINGS BANK
The Ludlow Savings Bank, situated at the corner of East and Sewall Streets, in the business block owned by the Ludlow Manufacturing Associates, was incorporated February 21, 1888. The incorporators were George A. Birnie, Dr. James W. Hannum, Marquis DeL. Towne, James Henderson, Franklin W. Sturgis, John Edward Stevens, and Charles W. Hubbard. The bank opened for business August 1, 1888,
108 HISTORY OB CEUDEOW.
since which time it has paid a four per cent rate of interest. During its twenty-three years’ existence, the investments and business ventures of the bank have been unusually successful. In this time there have been but two foreclosures. These were not forced, but deemed advisable by the investment committee. An actual loss of $32.85 represents the only amount lost during the twenty-three years. Ludlow people are justly proud of an institution whose record it would be difficult to excel. Taking into consideration the relative size of the town and the bank with that of larger places, the showing of Ludlow ranks with the best.
The following is taken from the report made to the savings bank commissioners, and shows deposits for the end of each fiscal year:
October 31, 1889, $13,114; 1890, $21,221; 1891, $32,819; 1892, $41,279; 1893, $49,151; 1894, $53,569; 1895, $61,093; 1896, $67,083; 1897, $84,689; 1898, $86,009; 1899, $102,337; 1900, $118,060; 1901, $138,673; 1902, $177,020; 1903, $215,103; 1904, $263,207; 1905, $333,- 828; 1906, $408,009; 1907, $503,204; 1908, $486,983; 1909, $525,535; 1910, $518,122. These statistics emphasize better than words the size of the bank and its rapid growth. Every application for a loan is referred to the investment committee, which considers the security carefully, and passes judgment accordingly. This method has thus afforded an opportunity for the bank to establish a reputation of being too hard a nut for the grafter or man with a bogus deal to crack.
The investment committee consists of the president, James Hender- son (1911), George D. Green, Michael H. Lyons, Walter S. Colwell, and Edward E. Fuller. The personal business sense of each member of the committee has led them to make sound and conservative judgments, that have oftentimes rendered it easier to secure more on loan from larger institutions. Trustees are elected each year from the members of the corporation. At present there are twenty-three. Since its incor- poration the bank has had five presidents. The first was Charles F. Grosvenor, now of Springfield, Vt.; the second, George D. Green, now of Springfield, Mass.; the third, Alfred S. Packard, now of Springfield, Mass.; the fourth, Dr. J. W. Hannum, of Ludlow, Mass.; the fifth, James Henderson, of Ludlow, Mass. At no time during its incorporation has the bank been in a better financial condition than at present (1911); it has the confidence of the townspeople of all nationalities.
Treasurer George A. Birnie is the active head of the bank, through whom all financial dealings are made. Ludlow is doubly fortunate in
D
INTERIOR LUDLOW SAvincs BANK, CoRNER EAst AND SEWALL
TOWN DEVELOPMENT iylil
possessing men with the executive ability to establish and to carry an institution so successfully.
To safeguard further the interests of its investors, the accounts are audited thoroughly twice a year by four of the bank trustees appointed for the purpose. Every account is carefully followed up and rechecked. This gives the auditors a thorough knowledge of the bank’s doings. The present auditors are Charles W. Gowan, James Henderson, Harley W. Morrill, and Frank N. Moore (1911).
Court. HISTORY
In spite of all the influences that make for good in a community, there are sure to be disturbing elements. For this reason laws must be made and offenders must be punished. Ludlow was not exempt from this necessity and accordingly a court was established and a trial justice appointed.
The first trial justice of the town was John Padelford Hubbard. He was appointed in the year 1875 and continued in office until his death in 1881. He was succeeded by Charles F. Grosvenor, who was appointed by Gov. John D. Long in 1881, reappointed in 1884 by Gov. George D. Robinson, in 1887 by Gov. Oliver Ames, and resigned in 1888. At the solicitation of the selectmen and others, he was again appointed trial justice in 1891 by Gov. William E. Russell and held the office until he moved to Palmer in 1892. The most exciting of all events connected with his administration was at the time of a strike at the mills of the Ludlow Manufacturing Company, when upon the complaint of Mr L. H. Brigham, who was agent of the mills at that period, Mr. Grosvenor was routed out of bed to issue warrants. These trials were held in the rear of the store occupied by Druggist C.S. Browning, in the old Joy building, North Street, and later at Mr. Grosvenor’s place of business on Hubbard Street. During his term of office the criminal and civil business grad- ually lessened, until there was practically nothing to do. From 1892 until 1905 the court proceedings were held in Springfield and sometimes in Palmer.
For the convenience of the people Gov. Eben S. Draper appointed George A. Birnie trial justice in 1905. The town had made a large gain in population and it became necessary to have a resident trial justice. When Justice Birnie assumed the duties of the office, there was much lawlessness, which through his efforts has been reduced to a minimum.
1 HISTORY OF LUDEOW
He had a number of severe cases to deal with and was not long in im- pressing upon the minds of the offenders that he would insist on good behavior in the town. During his term of office he has had a number of cases of illegal liquor selling, which is always likely to exist in a no- license town. It was during his term of office that George Freeman Cook shot and killed Herbert E. White and was committed to the grand jury.
THE LIBRARY
In 1881, for the benefit of the employees of the Ludlow Manufacturing Company, a small library with reading room and social room in con- nection was opened, under the direction of Mr. Hubbard. This room was in the “Old Tavern house,” which formerly stood a short distance from the present library building. At its beginning this little library contained four hundred volumes, while the reading room boasted half a dozen magazines. After a time it was moved to a building standing where the present office of the Ludlow Manufacturing Associates’ office is located. In 1890 the collection of 1,500 volumes was removed to the new library building.
This building was presented to the town by the family of the late Charles T. Hubbard, formerly of the Ludlow Manufacturing Company, with the following conditions:
(1) The building is to be forever maintained in proper repair at the expense of the town as a public library and reading room; (2) the library to be open for the delivery of books at least two evenings in a week for two hours each evening; (3) the lower rooms to be used for educational and social purposes, but not for town or political meetings; (4) the inscription ‘‘Hubbard Memorial”’ to be maintained over the entrance, together with a bronze tablet in the porch bearing the inscrip- tion, ‘‘Erected to the memory of Charles Townsend Hubbard by his wife and children, 1888.”
At a special meeting of the town in May, 1888, it was unanimously voted to accept this proposed gift and also a proposed gift of about fifteen hundred volumes from the Ludlow Manufacturing Company to be placed and maintained in the library building to be erected.
At this meeting the following resolution was passed: Whereas the family of the late Charles T. Hubbard has proffered to the town of Ludlow for its acceptance, under merely nominal conditions, a building
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TOWN DEVELOPMENT 115
for library purposes as well as a social home for the townspeople; a building which promises to be a source of pleasure and pride, ‘“‘a thing of beauty and a joy forever,’ therefore be it resolved, that we, the voters of the town of Ludlow in town meeting assembled, appreciate heartily the interest expressed in our welfare and the sympathy felt for our aspirations, as well as the liberality and generosity illustrated by the gift, and we desire further to pay our tribute of respect to him whose
memory this hall perpetuates. And be it further resolved, that we also
HUBBARD MEMORIAL LIBRARY
wish to give expression to our pleasure and gratitude in receiving the gift of their library at the hands of the Ludlow Manufacturing Company.
The new building was erected in 1889 and the following spring was presented to the town by Governor Robinson in the presence of a large audience of townspeople assembled in Mill No. 6 of the Ludlow Manu- facturing Company. The gift was accepted for the town by Mr. Benjamin PS Burr.
More volumes have been added to the collection from year to year
116 HISTORY OF EUDEOW:
by the family of Mr. Hubbard and the Ludlow Manufacturing Associates. There are at present between four and five thousand volumes. The reading room is supplied with a large number of newspapers and magazines
from an annual appropriation made by the town.
ANTIQUES AND RELICS
At the regular annual town meeting held in March, 1907, a committee on antiques and relics was appointed as follows: Gillen D. Atchinson, E. T. Potter, Wilbur F. Miller, Irene T. Jones, and Mrs. A. C. Birnie.
The purpose in appointing this committee was to preserve the antiques, relics, and curios of the town. The use of the west room on the first floor of the Hubbard Me- morial Library building was secured through the courtesy of the library trustees. An effort-,has been made to secure the photographs of all the clergy of the five churches from the date of their organization to the present. These photographs are hung on the south wall of the room in groups according to the church. There are three cases containing
many valuable articles.. An old cra-
dle, spinning wheels, saddlebags, sev- Bee ea oN ree oor Se To eral old gums, andirons; ete, are arranged on the floor.
Among the specially notable articles in the collection are: a pewter communion service given to the Congregational Church in Ludlow Center by the First Church of Springfield, and used from 1789 until 1846, when a silver service was presented to the church by Abner Cady; the first pewter communion service used by the Methodist Church in 1835; the sword, sash, and belt given to Captain H. A. Hubbard by the people of Ludlow; a list of the company he raised and his picture, given by his nieces; an old cartridge box carried through the Revolutionary War by Deacon Oliver Dutton; a collection of bottles, one blown in the glass factory once located north of Ludlow Center; a machine to pare apples,
made by a Ludlow boy when only sixteen years old; a Testament used
TOWN DEVELOPMENT iiBLy)
by the Rev. Alexander McLean; a very rare Masonic jewel; and a britannia teapot, loaned by Mrs. Frances (Chandler) Sikes.
THE LupLow HospPItaL
On April 28, 1908, a meeting of the citizens of the town was called for the purpose of organizing a society to accept, maintain, and carry on a hospital for the benefit of this and adjoining towns, on the provisions offered by the Lud- low Manufacturing Associates
This meeting was largely attended, among those present being Charles W. Hubbard, treasurer of the Ludlow Manufacturing Asso- ciates, who made the following offer: The As- sociates would give to the society, if formed, the use of the hospital rooms as arranged, fully equipped with all necessary furnishings, lighted and heated, free of rent, and for every dollar received by said society, either in contributions or membership fees, they would contribute a dollar; that the society be known as the Ludlow Hospital Society, should be composed of a president, vice- president, secretary and treasurer, member- ship committee, aids and charities committee, and visiting committee; the president, vice- president, treasurer, and the chairman of the above three committees should be the execu- tive committee to take charge and manage the affairs of the hospital.
This offer was accepted by the meeting
and an organization was immediately formed
SWORD, SASH, AND BELT PRE-
SENTED TO Capt. H. A. dent; George D. Green, vice-president; See BY THE TOWN oF LUDLOW
by the election of Dr. J. W. Hannum, presi-
George A. Birnie, secretary and treasurer;
James B. Irwin, chairman of membership committee; Robert Kyle, chairman of aids and charities; Miss Emma A. Warner, chairman of visiting committee.
By-laws were adopted, and after an address by Dr. Palmer of South
118 HISTORY OF LUDLOW
Framingham, Mass., on hospitals in general, and the beginning and development of the South Framingham Hospital, the meeting adjourned.
The hospital was opened for business July 3, 1908. Only the top floor of the two rear sections of the building was used for hospital purposes. Not having been able to secure the services of a superin- tendent, two nurses were engaged from Springfield, who, under the direction of the president, managed the hospital until July 20, 1908, when Miss Emma M. Glover, assistant matron and superintendent of nurses at Waltham, became superintendent.
The Misses Annie and M. Louise Stebbins and Mrs. Thornton Parker, as a testimonial to their father, a former president of the Ludlow Manufacturing Company, furnished the operating room and also an X-ray machine, which, with the furnishings supplied by the Ludlow Manutfac- turing Associates, make the Ludlow Hospital one of the best equipped small hospitals in this section of the state.
Rev. Father Power of Indian Orchard donated to the society a communion set, which has been used upon all occasions when the rites of the Roman Catholic Church have been observed in the hospital, and the gift has been appreciated by society and patients.
The hospital has been in successful operation three years. The first year (1908-1909) 41 patients were admitted, the second (1909-1910), 85, and the third (1910-1911), 170.
As_a charitable and educational institution the Ludlow Hospital should remain a permanent interest among the activities of the town.
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS
Brigham Lodge of Masons——Until 1891 the Masons of Ludlow belonged to lodges in Chicopee, Wilbraham, and Springfield. On account of the distance from their homes and the inconveniences of travel, it was suggested that efforts be made to establish a lodge in Ludlow. Acting on this suggestion a meeting was called and finally 33 Masons petitioned the Grand Lodge in Boston to grant a dispensation for a new branch. This was allowed, and the lodge was instituted. The meetings were held in a room on the top floor of the grammar school building. The lodge was called Brigham Lodge in honor of Lemuel H. Brigham, a retired agent of the Ludlow Manufacturing Company, who had given valuable assistance in its establishment. Through the efforts of John E. Stevens, then agent of the company, the said company erected a Masonic Hall in
TOWN DEVELOPMENT 121
Winsor Street, and rented it to the lodge on a five-year lease, this lease to be renewed every five years thereafter. The first three officers were Charles F. Grosvenor, W. M.; Albert H. Halford, S. W.; Frank King, J. W. Worshipful Albert H. Halford in 1903 became district deputy grand master of the sixteenth Masonic District, to which district Brigham Lodge belonged. Worshipful Hugh M. Cramond was appointed grand marshal. Brigham Lodge now (1911) has 145 members. Regular communications are held on the first Tuesday in each month; the annual communication occurs on the first Tuesday in November. Indian Orchard Lodge, recently instituted (1911), is the child of Brigham Lodge, as Brigham Lodge was the offspring of Newton Lodge of Wilbraham.
Charter Members.—Charles F. Grosvenor, Frank S. King, Frank A. Towne, Emerson