Yale University Library
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ANNALS OF
CHICOPEE STREET
By Clara Skeele Palmer
Illustrated, cloth bound $1.50
AN UNREDEEMED
CAPTIVE By Clifton Johnson
With maps and many illustrations
Paper covers .25
The story of Eunice Williams, who at
the age of seven years, was carried
away from Deerfield by the Indians
in the year 1 704 and lived among the
Indians in Canada as one of them the
rest of her life.
Either of the above sent postpaid on receipt
of price by
HENRY R JOHNSON
PUBLISHER AND BOOKSELLER
SPRINGFIELD MASSACHUSETTS
Orders and inquiries for local historical
works will receive careful attention.

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ANNALS

OF

CHICOPEE STREET

RECORDS AND REMINISCENCES OF
AN OLD NEW ENGLAND PARISH FOR
A PERIOD OF TWO HUNDRED YEARS

BY
CLARA SKEELE PALMER

HENRY R JOHNSON PUBLISHER
SPRINGFIELD MASSACHUSETTS
MDCCCXCIX

JOHNSON
PUBLISHER

A..
.-¦¦•/ i

.^

TO
THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF
THE OLD FIFTH PARISH
OF SPRINGFIELD
THIS RECORD
OF TWO HUNDRED YEARS
IS DEDICATED

ANNALS OF CHICOPEE STREET
1675-1875
THE first settlers in Chicopee were Japhet and
Henry Chapin, and their brother-in-law, Rowland
Thomas. Japhet and Henry were sons of Dea. Sam
uel Chapin, one of the early settlers of Springfield.
Rowland Thomas had married his daughter, Sarah.
Dea. Samuel was an intelligent, energetic Christian
man, and we soon find him influential and prominent
in the afifairs of the town and the Province, as well as
in the church. His social position is shown by the
edifying record, that in the Meeting House, —
"Goodwife Chapin is to sit in the seate along with
Mrs. Glover, and Mrs. Hollyocke."
There is one tradition that Dea. Chapin was of
Welsh origin, and another that he was of Huguenot
family. Some color is given to the latter tradition
by the name of his wife, Cicely, a name found in early
French families.
An old writer has said, "God sifted three king
doms, that He might plant the finest of the wheat in
New England." From whatever clime or province
these sturdy ancestors of ours came, their history
shows that they were in truth of "the finest of the
wheat."

6 Annals of
As the early records are imperfect, it is difficult to
determine the exact date of the first settlement in
Chicopee; but a host of well-preserved family tra
ditions bear witness to the evidence of grants and
deeds, that by 1675 Japhet and Henry were living
in homes of their own. Japhet's house was on the
bank of the Connecticut River, in Chicopee Street, on
land now (1898) owned by Mr. Charles E. Baker, and
northwest of his house. The cellar hole of Japhet's
house and the old road leading to it remained until
within a few years. Henry's house was near the west
end of what is now Exchange Street in Chicopee
Center. Rowland Thomas lived near Henry.
The first grant of land in Chicopee was in 1659: —
"One farme Given to Mr. John Pyncheon, Lying
over Chicuppy river, with the Islands of s"^ River, be
low the plaice called the wading plaice with the
Medow on the .South side, also a Swamp betwixt the
Medow and the River; this farme is by us bounded
viz., to run up the Grate River, Northward to the
Brook called Willomansett, so up the brook to a foot
parth y* goes to Squannungunick and to follow the
parth that goes to Squannungunick to the mouth of
Chickuppy River."
The first mention of a road is in 1665: —
"Nathanell Ely and Rowland Thomas, Committee."
"A Highway Over Chickuppy River, should Goe
above the Islands, about 20 Rods, whair the Indian
Common Wading Plaice is, or still higher on this side

Chicopee Street

of the River. It is to goe near Rowland Thomasses."
In 1662 Mr. Pyncheon deeded a part of his farm
to Samuel Chapin. Later we find grants of land
from John Pyncheon to Japhet Chapin, one of two
hundred acres, one of twelve, and one of fifteen, all
lying "north of Chickuppy River, and east of Con-
necticutt River," and all bordering on land which
Japhet already owned. This makes probable the
accepted tradition that Dea. Samuel had some time
before deeded his land to Japhet.
Henry seems to have bought his land directly from
Mr. Pyncheon. In 1659, we find him bargaining for
200 acres "on ye north side of Chickuppy River,
half of ye upper Island, and five acres of mowable
meadow." For this he is to pay "twenty pounds in
wheat at current prices at four several payments,"
five pounds each year for four years. Although he
lived on the south side, he owned land on both sides
of Chicopee River. Some of this land remains in the
families of his descendants to-day.
Mr. Theodore L. Chapin of Chicopee Street seems
to be the only one now Hving on land directly inher
ited from his ancestor, Henry; but Edward and
Charles Chapin, and probably Mrs. Naomi Chapin
Ward, on the Granby road, own land which came to
them from the same ancestor through five genera
tions. Hundreds of our broad and beautiful acres
have never passed out of the Chapin name, though
they may not have come to their present owners by
direct inheritance.

8 A finals of
Sons and daughters were born to these brothers,
and in a few years there were eighty-eight grand
children. Other settlers came to join them. Before
1700 we find the names — Cooley, Crowfoot, Hitch
cock, Wright, and Terry. John Crowfoot died
young. Samuel Terry, who had married Sarah, a
granddaughter of Japhet Chapin, went to Canada.
Among the settlers at Skipmuck, we find the names
of Phineas Stedman, John Stedman, Stephen and
Gad Horton, and Ariel Coole)^. Caleb Wright built
a house on the north side of the river, but lived there
only a short time, coming then to Chicopee Street.
The original deeds and grants were afterwards
ratified by the town, probably to avoid dispute.
Sometimes it was done in town meeting, sometimes
by the selectmen, and sometimes by a committee
especially chosen for this purpose.
This land had been fairly bought of the Indians.
Probably they received for it much more than it was
worth to them, for we do not find that they ever
complained of the price paid. At first the Indians
were friendly, and the relations between the white
men and their Indian neighbors were not uncomfort
able. But King Philip's war changed all this.
Springfield was burned, and the towns on the fron
tier, Hadley, Deerfield, and Northfield, were in a state
of continual anxiety.
Hannah, daughter of Japhet Chapin, was married
in 1703 to John Sheldon of Deerfield. When she
was preparing her wedding outfit, her mother was

Chic op ee Street

careful that she should have a dress suitable to wear
into captivity. Think of the heroism of a young
woman going as a bride to her new home, in the al
most certainty of captivity or death! The dress was
made. It was of flannel, probably spun and woven
by her own hands. Three months after her mar
riage, Deerfield was attacked in the night. In jump
ing from a window, Plannah sprained her ankle, and
was unable to escape or to secure her dress. But
a few days afterwards, she saw it on an Indian
woman. With other prisoners she was taken to
Canada, their footsteps staining the snow with blood,
as they went. By the energy of her father-in-law she
was soon redeemed, and brought to Chicopee to her
father's home, from whence she returned to her
Deerfield home. She was probably ransomed by the
payment of twenty pounds, which seems to have been
the price put by the French on their English women
captives. Greylock, the famous Indian chief for whom the
mountain in Berkshire was named, was often in this
vicinity. He had but one foot, having lost the other
in a trap, so that his trail was easily detected, but he
was never captured. His object seems to have been
not so much scalps as prisoners, whom he sold in
Canada. A httle girl in her trundle bed was roused one
night from sleep by some one creeping from the win
dow across the bed. Too frightened to move, and
knowing that her safety depended upon perfect quiet.

IO Annals of
she watched him while he helped himself to food from
the cupboard. He left the house as stealthily as he
came. It might have passed for the dream of a
frightened child, but the empty cupboard confirmed
the tale. The thief was Greylock, who was too hun
gry to be dangerous.
Skipmuck was attacked by the Indians. Some of
the settlers were killed, and one or more taken cap
tive. Aaron Parsons and Berijah Hubbard, two sol
diers, had just finished cleaning their guns. They
were saying, "Now we are ready for the dogs," when
a young girl, who was spinning by the window, ex
claimed, "They have come!" She ran, and in her
haste and fright drew the latchstring from the door,
shutting in the family. Lieut. Wright, who was at
work in a shop near by, crept through a window and
with this daughter escaped. The soldiers and one
child were killed. One child, left for dead, revived
and lived to grow up. Mrs. Wright was taken
prisoner. The child was rescued by an aunt from
Chicopee Street, Mrs. Thomas Chapin, who was a
sister of Lieut. Wright.
The front door of the house built by David
Chapin about 1705 was thickly studded with nails to
prevent the Indians from splitting it open with their
tomahawks. This house stood under the big elms on
land now (1898) owned by Mr. Rowley, and was still
standing in 1834. Samuel Chapin was fired upon and
wounded while crossing the Connecticut River, re
turning from his work on the west side. But no

Chicopee Street ii

serious loss or injury seems to have come to any of
the other settlers in Chicopee Street.
During these early years, we find Japhet and
Henry Chapin leaders in public affairs. Japhet's
name appears as selectman, assessor, and juror.
Henry served on various committees and was deputy
to "the Publick Assembly" at Boston. His integrity
is shown in this, that while four pounds was allowed
by the town to their deputies, he refused to take more
than 34 shillings, insisting that this was all it had cost
him. In 1687 Henry Chapin was one of those to
whom was given the privilege to fish in Chicopee
River, as far as "Schonungonunck fal or Bar." Ja
phet Chapin, Nathaniel Foote, Henry Chapin, John
Hitchcock, and others, were authorized to build a
saw mill at Schonungonunck Falls. In 1694 "Iron
Works and a Blacksmiths' shop in Skipmuck" are
mentioned, and also "a Corne Mill." Previous to
this all the sawing and grinding had been done at the
mills in Springfield. But with all the difficulty of
drawing lumber so far, log houses were not common
here as in many new countries. The dwellings were
frame houses, many of them of two stories. Some
were built with two stories in front, and one in the
rear, with what was called a "linter" (lean-to) roof.
It has been said that after the burning of Spring
field, the people here thought seriously of leaving, but
the records do not show this. Other names appear,
showing that settlers did not fear to come even in
these troublous times. In 1683 Henry Chapin deeds

12 Annals of
land to  Riley on the west side of the river. It
is said that Riley was an Irishman, and with other
settlers who came to that vicinity, gave the name of
Ireland Parish to that part of the town. Before this,
it seems to have been known as "The Upper Wig-
wames," showing that an Indian settlement was near.
In 1 712 the County Road was laid out from Had
ley to the lower end of Enfield, and "it is advised
that it go by Mr. Japhet Chapin's Barn; that it be
three Rods wide from Willimansepp Brook Down
Chickuppee Plain, to Mr. Japhet Chapin's Barn, then
Four Rods wide, then south cross Chickuppee River,
then westerly to Mr. Henry Chapin's and southerly
Four Rods wide." This followed what is now known
as "the Old Road" to Willimansett and McKinstry
Avenue. A road was also laid out "on the West
side of the Greate River."
These county roadways were gradually taken
under the care of the town, and in all grants of land,
especial mention was made, "not to hinder or preju
dice the highways."
The first mention of a school in Chicopee is in
1713, when the munificent sum of ten shillings is paid
by the town to "Daniel Cooley's daughter for keeping
school." There had been schools in Springfield, since
1 64 1, but it was impossible for the smaller children
and inconvenient for the older ones to go so far.
We find Province laws and town laws regulating
the schools. "All children are to be taught to reade,
and learn a catechism." "Children and servants"

C hie op ee Str e et 13
are to be sent to school. "All children from five to
ten years of age to be sent to school, and if not, their
parents shall pay to be rated (taxed) for all such
children to the School Master." In 1714 a grant of
12 pounds was made by the town, "To the farmers
of Chickopee and Skipmuck towards the schooling of
their children for the year ensuing." The next year,
"The Upper Chickopee, The Lower Chickopee and
Skipmuck" were "allowed Precincts for three years,"
and a grant was given to each for a school. But in
1721 they were united in one Precinct. About this
time the first schoolhouse in Chicopee was built on
Chicopee Street on land owned by David Chapin. It
was a one-story building, unpainted, with a huge fire
place, and stood until "The Old Red Schoolhouse"
was built in 1761. Every parent was required to
furnish one load of wood, "to be brought to the
schoolhouse in October," and "no scholar shall have
any benefit of the wood until they bring their pro
portion." Some have questioned if "all children" included
girls as well as boys; but the traditions of our grand
mothers and great grandmothers tell us of their going
to school with their brothers, certainly in the town of
Springfield, if not in Boston.
The first grant of money to Ireland Parish for
schools was in 1731. The first schoolhouse built
there by the town was in 1772. The next year it
was "voted, to build a schoolhouse in that part of
the town where Aaron Ashley lives." The first

14 Annals of
schoolhouse built by the town in Lower Chicopee
was erected in 1773. The first schoolmaster is said to
have been a Mr. Shevay, an Irishman and a minister,
who occasionally preached to the people on the south
side of the river.
Much has been said of the hardship and poverty
of those early days. Hardship there was, and plenty
of it, but it was cheerfully accepted as a part of the
experience of a new country. Of poverty, in the
sense of suffering for the necessities of Hfe, there was
little ; for we must remeniber, that many things which
are necessities to us were unknown to our grand
parents. Game and wild fowl abounded in the
woods. The rivers were full of fish. Salmon were
sold, "at the river for 6d. ; in the village for 8d. ;
shad i-2d. at the river; id. in the village." A few
years later, Erastus Morgan and five other men
caught in one night 6000 Shad and 90 Salmon.
Every householder was required to keep at least three
sheep. These and their fields of flax supplied them
with clothing and bedding.
We even read of a dressmaker in those early days.
She did not send to Paris for her fashions, but they
might have been brought from London, since new
colonists from the mother country were continually
coming to the Connecticut Valley. Every young
girl was taught to spin, and the stronger ones learned
and practiced weaving, both plain and fancy, accord
ing to their skill and taste. It is true, that some of
their table furnishings were of wood, and others of

C hicopee Street 15
pewter, but the wood was scoured to a beautiful
whiteness, and the pewter might have been silver for
its brightness.
Mrs. Thomas Chapin, a matron of those very
early days, said that she had two sons who were too
rich to be comfortable, Abel and Japhet; one,
Thomas, who was just about right as regarded prop
erty; and one, Shem, who was too poor. This Mrs.
Thomas was a very generous woman, and when
reproved by some of her family for giving away eggs,
replied, "The more I give away, the better my hens
will lay."
Abel, whom she called too rich, was afterwards
known as Landlord Abel. He built the first house in
Willimansett, on what is known as the Briggs lot,
east of the railroad station. About 1730 he removed
to Chicopee Street, and built the house now owned
by Josiah A. Parker, and known as the "Uncle
Moses place." It is the oldest house now standing in
the city of Chicopee, with the possible exception of
the Snow House in Johnny Cake Hollow, the age of
which is not definitely known. Landlord Abel's
house was at first of three stories; that is, with a
gambrel roof. Here he kept a tavern for many years.
A few pages of his account book have been preserved.
They are interesting as showing the habits and cus
toms of the day. The entries are principally of what
was sold at the Bar. "Rhum and Cyder," "bowls
of Punch and mugs of FHp," with occasional items
of "Shugar, Seed-come, Salt, and Molasses, lodging.

1 6 Annals of
meals and horse-keeping." The "Bill for the Com
mittee, sent by the Gen'l Court to lay out the Bounds
of the Parish," is, — £ s d
to three horses, oates and hay, 0-15-0
to three bowls of punch, 0-15-0
to three meals of victuals
for the Com. at Ss per meal, 0-15-0
to one mess of oates and two
bowls of punch, o-io-o
The inventory of Landlord Abel's estate comprises,
"Five hundred acres of Land, Five Houses and
Barns, Horses, Cows, Sheep, and Hogs, Hay, Grain,
Farming tools. Six hives of Bees, Household furnish
ings, including Iron, Pewter & Brass ware, with
some China and Glass." There are "Thirty-six
Linen Sheets, Sixteen Blankets, Eleven Woolen
Sheets, Six Table Cloths, Twenty-one Towels."
We find in his wardrobe, —
2 Great Cotes, a Black Velvet Vest,
I Strait Body Cote, i pare Velvet Britches,
I pare Lether Britches, 9 pare hose,
I pare Shues, 4 fine shirts,
4 pare pumps, 6 common shirts,
I Hat, Shoe Buckles.
His library was, —
One greate Bible, One Large Bible,
One old Bible, Law Book,
Barnard's works, wats Psalms & himes,
Robinson Crusoe, Mather on Congregational
One Cubbord partly of books, principles,
Sundry old Books Bound & Sundry Pamphlets.
He had one "Negro Man."

C hie op ee Street 17
These are only a very few of the articles mentioned
in an inventory of over six hundred items. His
personal property was valued at about 400 pounds;
his real estate, at nearly 1300 pounds. The rich
brother remembered the poorer one, for among the
items is the valuation of a small farm given by life
lease to "Shem Chapin & his wife."
Benjamin Chapin settled his own estate during his
lifetime, with the exception of his personal property.
He gave his wife a jointure or marriage settlement at
the time of their marriage. He gave his land to his
sons, as they "came of age" and married. By will he
gives to his sons, "all my Husbandry Tools, and
implements of what sort or kind soever." "To Ben
jamin, My Gun, my Sword, my belt, my Great Bible,
and my province Law Book." All the rest of his
movable and personal estate he gives to his daugh
ters. His books were, —
Mr. Vinson on the sudden appearance of Christ to Judg
ment,
A Pious soul thirsting after Christ,
Doct. Watts sermons on various subjects,
Doct. Mather's Meditations on Death,
Doct. Increase Mather, on the Lord's Supper,
Confession of Faith, Josephus' History,
One great Bible, One Law Book,
3 old Pamphlets, Six old Books.
John Chapin, Jr., a bachelor, who died in 1747,
had a large estate: "Houses and lands" in Chicopee
and Brimfield, "cows. Oxen, Steares & hefifers,"

i8 Annals of
"Horses & Hogs, Saddles & Bridles," money &
notes, "ingen corn. Wheat & Righ & skins," and a
Negro man named Pompey. He had coats and
jackets of "Camlet, serge, and Broadcloth." He had
"Some shirts, some more shirts, & some fine shirts."
He had "Shoe Buckles, nee Buckles, and one gold
ring." Among the interesting records of these old days
showing the custom of the time is the following
Indenture: —
''This Indenture witnesseth, that I, John Chapin of Spring
field, in the County of hampshear, in yt: province of y* Massa
chusetts Bay, in New England, husbandman, have with y^ free
consent of my son, Asahel Chapin, put and do, by these presents,
put my son, Asahel Chapin, an apprentice to Josiah Chapin of
Springfield, in y^ County aforesaid, Blacksmith, to learn his art,
trade or mystery, after the manner of an apprentice to serve
him from the twenty-seventh day of September last until! he is
one and twenty years of age.
All which time y^ s"! apprentice his master shall faithfully
serve, his secrets keep, his Lawful Commands gladly everywhere
obey, he shall do no damage to his master, nor see it done by
others, without giving notice to his master; he shall not waste
his master's goodes, nor lend them unlawfully to any, he shall
not contract matrimony within s<i time; at cards, dice or any
other unlawful game he shall not play, whereby his sd master
may be damaged in his own goodes, or the goodes of others.
he shall not absent himself day or night from his master's ser
vice, without his leave, nor haunt ale houses or taverns, or play
houses, but in all things behave himself as a faithful apprentice
ought to do during sd time.
And the sd master shall use his utmost endeavor to teach and
instruct sd apprentice in ye mode or mystery he now followeth,
viz., the trade of blacksmithery, & to teach him to write, and y"=
rules of arithmetic, so he shall be able to keep a book of ac-

Chicopee Street 19
compts, & also provide him sufficient meate & drink, washing
and lodging fitting for an apprentice during ye sd time, and to
find him two suits of apparel at y« end of ye term, ye one for
Sabath and ye other for weak day, & for ye true performance of
every one of sd covenants & agreements, either of ye sd parties
bind themselves to the other by these presents.
in witness thereof they have interchangeably put their hands
and seals this twelfth day of September, one thousand seven
hundred and thirty-eight, and in the eleventh year of our Sover
eign, King Gorge the second, of greate britian, france and ire-
land. King, &c. JOSIAH CHAPIN.
Joseph Chapin, )
SARAH VAN HORN, (" «"'»'""¦

We are sure that Asahel fulfilled most faithfully
his part of the covenant, for we find him later with
the Massachusetts troops at Louisburgh, "cheerfully
enduring the extreme hardships of the siege. For
fourteen nights they were yoked together like oxen,
dragging cannon and mortars through a morass."
Here Asahel died, but whether in camp or in battle,
history does not say. His cousin, Nathaniel, also
died there about the same time, 1745.
For more than sixty years, the people of Chicopee
continued their connection with the old First Church
in Springfield, finding their way on foot, or on horse
back, fording the Chicopee River, at the Indian Wad
ing Place, or sometimes going by canoe down the
Connecticut. The Sabbath services and the weekly
lectures were their edification and delight. Their
Hves were regulated by its ordinances and discipline;
and, when death came, they were laid to rest in the

20 Annals of
old Burying Ground, at the foot of Elm street, on
the banks of the Connecticut. The names of Japhet
and Abilene, his wife, may still be seen on the old
headstones in Peabody Cemetery. They were re
moved when the building of the railroad made it
necessary to discontinue the old burying place. The
faithfulness of these people in going to meeting was
wonderful. Mr. Ezekiel Chapin said, that for twen
ty-six Sabbaths in succession, he went regularly to
Springfield to meeting.
The first allusion we find to any public religious
service, in this precinct, is in 1728, when a meeting of
the local churches is held here — either in the school-
house, or in a private house. From time to time
an occasional lecture or Thanksgiving sermon was
preached, and as the people grew stronger, money
was raised for preaching during the severe cold of the
winter. In 1749 the precinct had 40 voters. The qualifi
cation for voting was "40 shillings income, or Forty
Pounds Estate." They began to think of a separate
church and minister. Settlers had come to Ireland
Parish who were ready to join them. They had
shared the perplexities of Mr. Breck's trial and set
tlement in Springfield, and had seen the church grow
strong under his ministrations. The Mother Church
was about to build a new Meeting House. A peti
tion was sent asking leave to withdraw. The petition
was dismissed. The Church in Springfield was un
willing to lose these faithful men and women, who

Chicopee Street

had contributed so much to her growth and pros
perity. In the Autumn the matter was again agitated, and
the Committee of the First Parish replied in this
curious manner: —
"It's very evident by their (Chicopee's) Shewing
that their Accommodations which they have obtained
by being so far off from the Center of the Parish is
more than a Compensation for their Fateagues on the
Sabbath, for it is a very plain case that, if the rideing
on Horse Back on a Plain six miles in half a Day is
more than equall to half a Day's labour, the Petition
ers on the whole Live with much more Ease & Less
Fateague than those who live in the Center of the
Parish; who besides the Fateague they have in
managing their business at a Distance all the week,
are obliged to build & maintain Three Large vessels
to Transport the Produce of their Lands to y^ stores."
The meaning of this seems to be, that, for the
privilege of living on their own farms, and cultivating
the rich meadows near their own homes, our Chicopee
farmers could well afford to travel six or even seven
miles on the Sabbath to attend meeting. The homes
of the Springfield people were principally on what are
now Main and State streets, and their farm lands
were "at a distance," some of them across "the
Greate River."
But the Chicopee people were in earnest. In
1750 another petition was sent, this time to the
General Court.

2 2 Annals of
"Octo' i: 1750 Monday: Mr. Japhet Chapin
proceeded on his journey to Boston to urge y^ grant
of Chickapee's Petition."
Petition sent to Boston in 1750 by the Inhabitants
of Chicopee: —
To the Honrble Spencer Phipps, Esq., Lieut Gov & Commder
in Chief of his Majesties Prov. of the Massachusetts Bay in
New-England. The Honrble His Majes's Council & House of
Representatives In Genl Court Assembled at Boston the 30th
Day of May AD. 1750.
The Petition of us, the Subscribers, Inhabitants of the North
Part of Springpd in the County of Hampshire, Humbly Showeth
That your Petitioners, for the greatest part of us Dwell full six,
some Eight Miles & the nearest of us four miles from the Re
spective Places of Publick Worship we now belong to. Some
on the East & some on the west Side of the Conetticutt River,
& as we are now Situated 'tis utterly Impossible for us & our
families in any Suitable manner to attend the Publick Worship
of God in the assemblies we now belong to. The Legislature
has obliged us by Law to attend, but we are absolutely obliged,
as the case now stands to neglect it. We can't, near half of us,
attend in Ordinary & not a Quarter of us in Extraordinary Sea
sons. We have many of us dwelt under these Circumstances
for 60 years past & with all our Struggles & Difficulties not had
one third part of the privileges which our fellow Parishioners
have had for the Same Sum Expended. The labour & fatigue
we & the bruit Creatures we use, undergo on the Sabbath farr
Exceeds that of any other day in the week. Our numbers are
greatly encreased & we Esteem ourselves able to build a House
for the publick Worship & give Sufficient Encouragement to a
Minister of the Gospell to Settle Among us, & indeed we Sup
pose by the best Computation we can make that it would not
Cost us so much accompting Ten years together, as it does in
the Posture we are now in, & with great Submission we Esteem
it Extream hard that our fellow Parishoners Should make so
much opposition as they do & have done to our being a Distinct
Parish when they know all that is Said above to be true, only to

C hie op ee Str eet 23
make their Taxes a little lighter. We cannot think our Selves
justly treated by them, when they take so much pains to keep
us under Such Disadvantages in our Souls Concern only to save
themselves a little worldly interest. 'Tis not long Since we paid
our proportion towards the Settlement of a Minister in the
midst of them, & we have for many years past hired Winter
preaching among ourselves while we paid our full proportion
for it amongst them & we can't get it Reinbursed. we have
likewise done our full proportion with them in paying for a new
& Magnificent Meeting House for them (principally) to Wor
ship in, for when it's done we can't have the benefit of it because
we can't come at it. & we have lately requested the Respective
Parishes we belong to, to Consent we Should be Sett off &
they Refuse it; We therefore most Humbly move we may be
Invested with Parish Powers & Privileges & that the bounds
may be as follows (viz.) beginning at the niuth of Chequabee
River & run on the bank of Connetticutt River to the top of the
Hill South of Sam'l Terry's House. Thence East to the brook
called Hog-pen-dingle & thence by Sd Brook at Chequabee
River & thence by Sd River to the Outward Commons & thence
North by sd Commons to Hadley Line & thence West in Had
ley Line to Connetticutt River & thence Cross Connetticutt
River to Northampton bounds; & thence to the West Side of
Springfield bounds in the line between Sd Towns & thence Be
ginning by Connetticutt River at Ryley's brooks mouth & then
Run a West line from that to the West Side of the bounds of
Springfield aforesaid. We beg leave further Humbly to Re
quest that the old Parish in Springfield on the East Side of the
River, that still Continues So after we are Sett off, may be
obliged to pay us on the East Side of the River what we have
been taxed to the new Meeting House lately Set up amongst
them, which we Seasonably requested them to be excused from
that they might not build it too big for themselves.* We also
further humbly request that those of us Petitioners that Dwell
on the East Side of Connetticutt River may be Obliged if your
Honble & Honors Please To build the House for publick wor
ship & Settle the first Ordained Minister at our own cost. &

*This " humble request " was afterwards granted by "the old Parish in Springfield."

24

Annals of

that after that all of us may be Enjoyned as in Common Cases
to do our Equal Proportion towards the Minister's Support.
& with great submission we humbly apprehend that there is not
now, nor ever has been, an Instance of this nature, where So
many People at So greate a Distance from this Publick Worship
have ever been Denyed the Liberty of Setting it up near to them,
that all may attend with Convenience & not one half or three
Quarters live in Such Miserable and Uncomfortable Circum
stances for so long & tedious a Season as we have done. We
therefore Most Humbly move we may be Sett off as aforesd &
that the Court would oblige the Inhabitants on the East Side of
the River to do as they have agreed with their neighbors, peti
tioning with them, (viz.) be at the whole Cost of building the
first Meeting House & Settling the first Minister & other Peti
tioners to pay an Equal proportion with them for the Minister's
Support afterwards & Enjoy Equal rights in the Meeting House,
in proportion as in other Parishes, and as in Duty bound shall
ever pray &c.

Names of
Petitioners on the East Side of the River

Jona""> Chapin
Henry Chapin
Japhet Chapin
Joseph Chapin
Eleazar Chapin
Henry Wright
Caleb Wright
John Vanhorn
Shem Chapin
Elisha Wright
Japhet Chapin Jun.
Benjn Chapin
Stephen Chapin
Reuben Miller
Benjn Chapin Jun.
Abel Chapin
WiUiam Chapin

Elisha Chapin
Jonthn Chapin Jun.
Benoni Chapin
David Chapin
Edwd Chapin
Phinehas Chapin
Benj Crofoot Jun
Gad Chapin
Thomas Chapin
John Chapin
Stephen Wright
Seth Chapin
Sam" Chapin
Aaron Ferry
Abner Hitchcock
Isaac Chapin

West Side of River
Ebenezer Jones
John Miller
Benjn Jones
John Day 2nd
Benjn Ball
Ebenezer Taylor
Joseph Ely 3d
Ebenezer Jones Jun.
Gideon Jones
John Day 3d
Timy Miller
Joseph Ely 2nd
Joseph Day
Benjn Jones Jun.
Charles Ball
Abel Stockwell

C hicop ee Str e et 25
The First Parish was still so unwilling to let these
people go, that for two years in succession a Com
mittee, Josiah Dwight and Edward Pyncheon, was
sent to Boston to oppose the petition. The General
Court, however, "Hstened carefully, and responded
favorably." They appointed a Committee, who,
having "repaired to the Lands & heard the Parties,
& considered all things touching the same," fixed the
bounds of what was for many years known as the
Fifth or North Parish of Springfield, "first giving
notice to the First & Second Parishes of Springfield."
The Second Parish was what is now the First Parish
of West Springfield. There is no record of anv
objection made by them to this organization. The
bounds of the Parish were fixed as desired by the
petitioners, and included what is now (1898) known
as Chicopee Street, Willimansett, Holyoke, and a
part of Chicopee Center, then known as Lower Chic
opee. Others, whose names do not appear on the
petition, joined the Parish soon after: Born, Azariah
& Abraham Vanhorn, Thomas Terry, and Moses
Wright. This same year Joseph Morgan settled at
the foot of Mt. Tom, in Ireland Parish, on a large
farm, which he afterwards divided among his five
sons, Joseph, Jr., Titus, Lucas, Judah, and Jesse.
He joined the Parish, and, with his three sons,
Joseph, Jr., Titus, and Lucas, was useful and promi
nent in its affairs. The people across the river were
exempted from building the first Meeting House, and
settling the first minister, but they were to assist in

26 Annals of
his support. This was probably for the reason, that
they hoped to be able, before many years, to have a
Meeting House and minister of their own.
No sooner were the petitioners assured of a favor
able answer to their request, than they set to work.
On the evening of January 2d, 1751, they met and
"All with united voices declared for cutting timber
for a Meeting House." "Dimensions 42 x 33." The
next day "about 40 men advanced into the woods to
cut said timber. All volunteers! clear, cold and
still." Jan. 4, "About 20 men advanced to finish
yesterday's work. The cold somewhat abated." On
the 7th a tedious storm set in, but it furnished the
snow for "sledding the M. H. timber." A thaw
delayed the work, but in February "the timber was
got home very successfully." Spring came on early
this year: —
"Ducks, Blackbirds, Robbins, Larks, return & sing,
Cheerful salute the approach of Spring."
Winds and storms followed the beautiful February
weather, and it was not until April that Mr. Morris
Smith began to hew the timber. This month they
made the brick. And so the work went on until
June 5, when the record is, "This day thro ye Indul
gence of Heaven, we have our Meeting House raised
with great safety and joy." At first the Meeting
House was covered with "Ruff Boards," and a floor
was laid. It was used in this way until December,
1752, when it was voted "to cover the outside of

C hie op ee Street 27
s"' Meeting House with Quarter Boards, to Glaze all
the windows, and to do the Plaistering overhead and
to finish all the lower Part." From time to time,
money was expended in different ways until it was
finished in 1765.
This old Meeting House was nearly square, with
out bell or steeple. It stood in the middle of our
then wide street, a little north of where Mr. Rowley
now lives. The "Quarter Boards" with which it
was covered, seem to have been "split clapboards,
beaded where they came together. It was built of
heavy oak timbers. There was carved work over the
windows." For those days it was a good looking
building. The seats were at first benches, afterwards
changed to pews. These were square, with seats on
three sides. The partitions were high, and finished
with an open railing. The seats were on hinges, and
were raised or lowered according to convenience.
As the custom was then to stand during prayer and
to sit during singing, there was often a noisy clatter
when the prayer began. The pew on the right of the
pulpit was for the minister's family. The two in
front were set apart, one for the deacons, and one for
the elderly men. A broad aisle ran through the
center from east to west. There were two doors, one
on the east and one on the south side. The high
pulpit was on the west side, with sounding board
above it. It looked to some of the children as if the
minister were shut up in a box, with a cover ready to
fall on his head. The pulpit was painted pale green.

28 Annals of
It had a velvet cushion, for which 3 pounds was paid.
Behind the pulpit was a window with a curtain of
green moreen. The Communion table was also
painted pale green to correspond with the pulpit. It
was suspended on hinges and raised or lowered at
pleasure. There was a gallery on three sides of the
house, well filled in later years with young men and
maidens, who led the service of song. One corner
was reserved as the "Negro's seat," for there were
slaves in those days.
In describing the Meeting House, we have antici
pated a number of years. It was raised on the 5th
of June, 1 75 1. On Sunday, July 21, the first religious
service was held in it. The record is, "Met in our
new Meeting House." The first Parish meeting was
held "on the thirtieth Day of July." The business
after choosing officers, was to "provide for the work
of carrying- on the Meeting House." Ensign Benja
min Chapin was chosen Moderator; David Chapin,
Clerk; and Japhet Chapin, Treasurer.
At this time all money for church purposes and
the support of the minister was raised by a tax upon
"the Polls and Estates of the Freeholders and other
inhabitants;" and at the second Parish meeting, on
August 12, measures were taken to levy this tax "as
the Law directs." In October, they began to talk of
settling a minister; and Ensign Benjamin Chapin
and Ebenezer Jones were chosen a Committee to
apply to the Association for advice in regard to a
candidate.

C hicop ee Street 29
The Association recommended either Mr. John
McKinstry or Mr. Judah Nash. Mr. Japhet Chapin
was chosen "to engage the Worthy Mr. John Mc
Kinstry to Preach to us for a Quarter of a Year."
And a tax of thirty pounds was levied to defray the
expenses for the winter. In January, Mr. McKins
try had proved himself so able, that it was unani
mously voted to give him a call to settle. Some cor
respondence ensued in regard to the salary. On May
i8th he signified his acceptance of the call "if the Con
currence, Advice & Mutual Agreement of the Neigh
boring Churches of Christ, and their Rev'd Pastors
be obtained."
The Council called for his ordination met on June
5, 1752, with this result: —
These may certify that, after proper inquiry and examination,
we are Satisfied of Mr. McKinstry's Ministerial Qualifications,
and therefore consent to his Settlement with you.
Wishing therefore the Blessing of God on your proceedings,
we subscribe
Stephen Williams Robert Breck
Sam'll Hopkins Noah Mirick
Peter Raynolds Freegrace Leavitt
It was voted that the ordination be on the 9th of
September, but the Style was changed that year from
O. S. to N. S. There was no 9th of September, and
the ordination did not take place until the 24th.
A day of fasting and prayer was appointed for
the 27th of August, "to implore the Divine Blessing
& Assistance in our proceeding to settle the Worthy
Mr. McKinstry in the work of the Gospel Ministry."

30 Annals of
The same ministers, with the exception of Rev.
Freegrace Leavitt, were sent for to assist in the
ordination; the neighboring churches were asked for
"the help of their Rev"* Pastors with their Dele
gates"; and the Committee were "also to take care
to provide a place for the Entertainment of the afore
said Rev"* Pastors & Delegates."
There was "Voted & Granted to Eleazer Chapin
the just Sum of one pound, fourteen shillings &
eight pence. Lawful money, for Entertaining the
Rev"* Pastors & their Delegates, att the time of the
Ordination of the Rev"* Mr. John McKinstry; and
keeping their Horses."
Mr. McKinstry was the son of the Rev"* John
McKinstry of Ellington. The father was a graduate
of Edinburgh University, "a gentleman of good
abilities, popular talents and unwavering integrity."
The son was a graduate of Yale. Students' names
then appeared in the Catalogue, according to the
social position of the family. He was fourth in a
class of twelve. His father, in his seventy-fifth year,
preached the ordination sermon.
Miss Eliza McKinstry, who remembered her
grandfather dressed for meeting, said that he wore
a wig, three-cornered hat, breeches, long stockings,
shoe and knee buckles. Probably the other ministers
were dressed in a similar way, as well as many in
the congregation, though, at this time, the wig was
going out of fashion, and "the queue" was taking its
place.

Chicopee Street 31
In those days, all ministers were settled for life.
This, as weU as the smallness of the population, made
an ordination a rare and interesting occasion. Not
only did the churches respond by pastor and dele
gate, but friends and relatives came to share in the
joy. There was no Ordination Ball, as was often the
case, but there was great gladness and genuine
thanksgiving. The dinner was not a modern col
lation, but a genuine dinner. The big brick oven
was heated again and again; and tradition tells us of
pleasant words and good wishes, which passed be
tween the cooks. As one remarked, when putting
the chicken pie into the oven, "Good luck to it!" a
bright girl replied, "Well, this is the first time I ever
heard of asking a blessing on the oven."
There is no record of the organization of the
Church. It is quite probable that there was no
formal organization by Council, and that the Church
grew out of the Parish, being recognized as a Church,
when such action became necessary. Similar in
stances of irregularity are found in the early ecclesias
tical history of New England. There is a list of 51
members of the church in 1753, one of whom is Pom
pey, the slave.
Benjamin and David Chapin were chosen deacons.
Benjamin was the son of Henry; and David, the son
of Japhet.
The Pastor's salary was at first £49 6s. 8d.,
gradually increasing for ten years at the rate of £l
8s. 8d. each year. £80 was voted for "a Settle-

32 Annals of
ment." The salary was to be paid, "one half in
provisions. Wheat, Rie and Indian Corn, and one half
in silver at six shilling and eight pence per ounce."
The Settlement money was to be paid in installments
for three years, — "£26 13s. 4d. each year." Mr.
McKinstry desired to use his Settlement money to
pay for land, which he bought; and it was stipulated
that he should not be required to pay for that until
he received his payments from the Parish. The pro
visions were to be paid, "1-6 in Wheat, 1-5 in Rie,
and the rest in Indian Corn," the value to be adjusted
each year, by the market price of grain. It is inter
esting to know that in 1756 Wheat is 4s. per bushel,
Rie 2s. 8d., and Indian Corn 2s. Mr. McKinstry
was to have, also, "Twenty-Five Cords of Wood the
first year, one cord to be added each year for Ten
years." Later, it was voted to provide Mr. McKin
stry with "a sufficiency of Fire wood, and also Candle-
wood." Candle-wood is an old name for pine knots.
They were abundant and easily gathered from the
pine trees on the plains. They were burned on the
hearth, their light often taking the place of candle
light. The young minister closes his letter of acceptance
with these words: —
"And so earnestly wishing that the Love of God,
may be abundantly manifested towards you thro
our Lord Jesus Christ, I earnestly desire the united
interest in your Prayers for me, that all God's Dis-

Chicopee Street 33
pensations may prove Merciful both to you and to
me. And So Remain
Yours to serve, in Truth & Sincerity,
John McKinstry, Jr."
The Settlement money was paid, and the Parson
age built by the young minister. It is still standing
on McKinstry avenue, and is now owned by Richard
DeGowan. In 1760 he brought his bride from
Suflield to make the home, so long a center of influ
ence to this community. She was Eunice Smith, a
great granddaughter of Japhet Chapin, so she was
coming to her own in coming to Chicopee. Her
mother had been born here, and had lived here until
her marriage; and it is probable that it was while
Eunice was on a visit to her grandparents that the
parson wooed and won her. Pieces of her wedding
dress are still in the family. It was French cam
bric, and cost 4 shihings (one dollar) a yard. The
old Button Ball tree, so long a landmark to the
Street, was planted by her, soon after her marriage.
Eight children were born in the old Parsonage.
Archibald, the second son, was the first physician in
Chicopee, but died soon after entering upon his pro
fession. Three of the children, "Mr. John," "Miss
Dosia," and "Miss Candace," lived to old age. And
it is to Mr. John's note books and records, that we are
indebted for many interesting incidents of these early
days. He owned the first thermometer in Chicopee
Street. He was a great reader, and his Diary records

34 Annals of
that at one time he took seven books from the Parish
Library. Soon after Mr. McKinstry's settlement, the war
known as "The French & Indian War" broke out,
bringing fear and anxiety to these homes. A num
ber of the young men joined the army. Edward
Chapin (afterwards Dea. Edward) was at Lake
George in 1755 as clerk of Capt. Luke Hitchcock's
company. Capt. Abel (afterwards Col.) was out
with a company, but was obliged to return on ac
count of illness. Ensign Moses was taken prisoner
at Lake George in 1757. At first he fared badly; but,
being able to converse a little in Latin, he interested
in his behalf, a Catholic priest, who kindly assisted
him in procuring some needed comforts. He was a
surveyor, and his surveying books in Latin are still in
the family. Caleb was killed at Lake George in 1755.
Capt. Elisha, his brother, was cruelly massacred by
the Indians, July 17, 1756, at Hoosack now WilHams-
town. His house was near the upper end of the
Street, where Miss Harriet Chapin now lives. He
had been Commander at Fort Massachusetts in 1754,
and, becoming interested in that part of the country,
removed his family there. A number of families
were together in the fort. While most of the men
were away in the fields, an attack was made by the
Indians. They were repulsed by the women dressed
in their husbands' clothes. Abandoning the attack
upon the fort, the Indians succeeded in taking some
of the men prisoners, among them Capt. Chapin. He

C hicop ee Street 35
was brought to the walls and tortured to death in
sight of his wife and children. She, Miriam Ely, of
Ireland Parish, came back with her children to her
early home. One of her sons, SewaU, was graduated
at Dartmouth College, and entered the ministry, but
died young. Another, Enoch, was a captain in the
Revolutionary War.
By this time, the forest path had grown into a
pleasant, well-shaded street with substantial houses
and barns. Capt. Ephraim was living on the farm
(where his grandson, Briant, afterwards lived), keep
ing tavern and fatting cattle for the Boston market.
Mr. Jonathan Chapin was living on the Crehore farm;
his brother Timothy, on land adjoining; Dea. David
and his son Benoni, on the Rowley place; Landlord
Abel, keeping tavern on the east side of the Street;
and his brother Japhet, on the farm adjoining his on
the south. Later his son, Simeon, built the house
which stood for many years opposite the present
church, and which was owned and occupied for nearly
seventy years by Levi Stedman and his son Benjamin.
About 1750 Edward (Dea.) built a house, on what is
now the Hastings place. Samuel Clark lived at
Clark or Schoolhouse Lane. Next south was the
large farm of Phineas Chapin, afterwards divided be
tween his two sons Phineas (Capt.) and Silas (Col).
Dea. Benjamin lived next on land now owned by
Mrs. Marshall Pease. William Chapin came next.
He was known as "Mr. Billy," to distinguish him from
the others of the same name; then Seth, whose land

36 Annals of
was inherited by his three sons, Seth, T.&c2h., and
Zenas. Caleb Wright lived for a while on the west
side of the Street, south of the Burying Ground; and
there were others whose homes cannot be identified.
South of Chickopee River lived Henry, George, Wil
liam, Joseph, and Benjamin Chapin, and Benjamin
Crowfoot. Mr. Japhet Chapin also kept tavern in
Lower Chicopee. After his death his son Austin con
tinued the business. It is said that the old "Toddy
Road" took its name from the habit of the armorers
on Springfield Hill, who used to come here for their
refreshment, for the Temperance Reform was not yet.
WilHmansett was not settled till later.
In 1753 nine men were chosen to "seat the Meet
ing House," and it was "Voted, to seat men and
women together," after the fashion lately introduced
in the new Meeting House in Springfield. At first
they had been seated separately, the men on the
north, and the women on the south side. It was
also "Voted, that one year in age be equivalent to
Four Pounds of Estate." The next year "Voted,
that one year in age is equivalent to Three Pounds of
Estate." "Voted, that the Pews left unseated, be for the
use of girls under sixteen years of age."
(The last seating of the Meeting House was in
1809. There was sometimes jealousy and dissatis
faction; but, on the whole, it seems to have been a
satisfactory arrangement.)
This same year, 1753, it was —

House Built in 1793 i!V Zerah Chapin.
Now owned and occupied by his grandson, Theodore T.. Chapin.

Chicopee Street 37
"Voted, that the Parish take care y' a Drum be
beat to call the People to meeting at Proper Seasons."
The Drum was beaten up and down the Street. It
was owned by Mr. Ebenezer Jones, and he was paid
5V4 in consequence of its being broken. After this
4'/ is granted "to hire a Sign that may give notice of
the meetings for the year ensuing." This sign was
probably a conch shell.
"Voted, to agree with some person or persons to
Sweep and Cleanse the Meeting House." Five
shillings and four pence was at first paid for this
service. Later more was given.
The Parish officers were all paid a small sum for
their services. These items are for 1763: — £. s. d.
To Mr. McKinstry as a Sallary for the year past, 61-6-8
To Benoni Chapin for sweeping the Meeting House, 0-8-0
To Mr. Jonathan Bement, for his services in
apprizing Fire wood, 0-8-0
To Edward Chapin for his services as Parish Clerk, 0-3-0
To Abel Chapin for his services as Treasurer, 0-3-0
To Defray Contingent Charges, 8-0-0
In 1758 "Voted, and Chosen Messrs. Abel Chapin,
Benjamin Jones & Ebenezer Taylor to be a Comm"^^
to apply to the Select Men for the town of Spring
field, or to the Quarter Sessions (as the occasion may
require) in order to have a Stated Ferry in this Par
ish for the more Convenient Crossing the Great
River, and also for obtaining a Convenient Road for
said purpose on the West Side of Said River." A
road to the Landing on the east side had been laid

38 Annals of
out in 1729. This Ferry Road was just south from
the place where Col. Abel Chapin afterwards built his
tavern. About 1836 or 7, it was moved to the upper
end of the Street, north of Mr. Frederic Chapin's
house. This ferry was known for many years as
"Jones's Ferry."
By 1774 Springfield had begun to "take into
Serious and Deliberate Consideration the present
Dangerous condition of the Province." The situa
tion was indeed trying, for most of these men and
women were of English blood; and those who were
not had found safety and protection under English
government and law. They had brought to New
England not only the English language, but English
customs and habits. Their public officers were called
by English names, as Perambulator, Sheriff, and
others. The minister was the Parson. The nine
o'clock evening bell, still common in many New Eng
land towns, is the Curfew of Old England. Follow
ing English custom, their farms were divided by
ditches. Some of these still remain, marking bound
aries laid out in the long ago days. The old home in
the Mother Country was still dear to them. They
mourned England's danger or defeat by solemn days
of fasting and prayer; and, when in 1746 "the Duke
of Cumberland obtained the remarkable victory
against the Rebels (Charles Edward the Pretender) in
North Britain," they kept glad thanksgiving.
But they could not allow even England to oppress
them, and when the town appointed a Committee of

Chicopee -Street 39
Public Safety, Ensign Phineas, Capt. Ephraim, and
Dea. Edward Chapin were of the number. Money
was voted "to teach soldiers the military art," and
every able-bodied man was required to train, that he
might be in readiness for any outbreak.
When the crisis came in 1775, Paul Revere was
not the only messenger who rode to alarm the coun
try. Scarcely had the first shot been fired at Con
cord Bridge, when Isaac Bissell armed with author
ity from Z. Palmer, one of the Committee of Public
Safety in Boston, started in hot haste for the Connect
icut Vahey. He asked for men and horses. From
Springfield sixty-two men responded. Among them,
from Chicopee, — Jacob Chapin, Israel Chapin, Phine
has Chapin, Eleazar Chapin, Jr., Solomon Chapin,
Joseph Chapin, Jr.; from Skipmuck, — Gad Horton,
John Stedman, Phinehas Stedman.
Others who joined the army later were Capt. Abel
Chapin, who marched with a company to Ticonder
oga. In his company there were from Chicopee and
Willimansett, — Moses Bliss, Zekiel Chapin, Benoni
Chapin, Zerah Chapin, Ebenezer Burbank, Eleazar
Wright, Thomas Frink, Collins Brown.
Captain Ephraim Chapin commanded a company
belonging to the regiment of Col. Ruggles Wood-
bridge. In his company were, — Paul Chapin, Eben
ezer Jones, Japhet Chapin, Seth Chapin, John Frink,
David Chapin, Jacob Chapin, George Chapin.
Capt. Joseph Morgan's company belonged to Col.
John Mosely's regiment, 3d Hampshire Co. They

40 Annals of
"marched to Springfield and Northampton in sup
port of Government," also to "reinforce Northern
Army, commanded by Col. Timothy Robinson of
Granville." In this company were, — Lucas Morgan,
Joseph Morgan, 2d, and Erastus Morgan — ^all from
Ireland Parish.
Capt. Enoch Chapin, who commanded a West
Springfield company, was also from Ireland Parish.
There was intense and angry feeling throughout
the country. We quote one verse of a popular song,
which Miss Eliza McKinstry remembered as sung by
her grandfather and grandmother WiHiams.
Lamentation over Boston.
Composed while the City was in Possession of the British.
Is Boston my dear town? Is it my native place?
For since my calamity, I do earnestly remember it.
If I forget, if I do not remember it.
Then let my numbers cease to flow, and be my muse unkind.
Then let my tongue forget to move, and ever be confined.
Let horrid jargons split the air, and tear my nerves asunder.
Let hateful discords greet my ear, and terrible as thunder.
Let harmony be banished hence, and consonance depart.
Let dissonance erect her throne, and reign within my heart.
In 1776 and 7, Dea. Edward was in the Legisla
ture, serving his country as faithfully there, as were
his neighbors and cousins in the army; and in 1778
both he and Ensign Phinehas were Selectmen, caring
for the needy families of the soldiers. Edward
Chapin, Jr., was in the army, but we do not know
his company or regiment.
The war brought serious and pressing difficulties.

Chicopee Street 41
At its close, the depreciation of the currency, together
with the high price of merchandise, and even of the
necessaries of life, increased the distress. The depre
ciation of the currency is shown by the vote of the
Parish, of "£68 to supply Mr. McKinstry with fire
wood." Shays's RebelHon grew out of these difficulties, and
Chicopee was for a time the rallying point of one
company of the insurgents. They took possession of
the then new Chicopee bridge, but scattered in con
fusion when the news of Shays's defeat reached them,
many of them fleeing through our Street. One
found refuge and a hiding place in a secret chimney
closet at Capt. Ephraim Chapin's; and a sick soldier
was kindly cared for at Parson McKinstry's.
In 1782 the Legislature had passed "an Act
granting a Lottery for erecting a Bridge over Chicka-
bee River on the Road leading from Springfield to
Hadley in the County of Hampshire," "as much Ex
pense, Difficulty and Danger attend the passing of the
River." Two hundred pounds had been appro
priated by the town, and it had also "voted to take all
the Lottery tickets unsold," and to be responsible for
the prizes. The bridge was finished in 1783, some
time before any bridge was built over the Connecti
cut. In 1786 "the Inhabitants on the West Side of the
River" desired to be incorporated into a separate par
ish, and a committee — Lieut. John Miller, Lieut.
Charles Ball, and Mr. Lucas Morgan were chosen to

42 Annals of
petition the General Court. There were delays and
complications, but the matter was finally settled in
1792 to the satisfaction of both parties. The church,
now the First Church of Holyoke, was not organized
until 1 799. The eleven members had been, nearly all
of them, members of our Chickopee church.
Dea. Edward's Diary, a part of which is preserved,
is interesting as showing the men and women and the
times. The first entry is on September 9, 1745, "A
cool, foggy morning." He tells us of the weather, of
his hunting and farming; of "the savage Indian foes"
and their attacks upon the settlements; of his journeys
to Northfield and to Boston, of his subscribing for a
newspaper — a Boston paper; — of the building of a
schooner, "The Hampshire," by the neighbors to car
ry their produce to market at Hartford, which makes
but one successful trip and "is lost! about 10,000 cwt.
lading and all!"; of the building of the Meeting House
and schoolhouse; of the texts and sermons; of his go
ing "last night (May 28, 1752), to L. — M. — W., &
urging the affair of matrimony to be accomplished;"
of being "PubHshed at Springfield." And we rejoice
in the record, "6 July, 1752, The author of this jour
nal married about this time."
We can sympathize with the people, when on
"March 24, 1748/9," it is recorded, "A long speH of
very muddy travelling this Spring."
June 9, "This day was observed as a day of humilia
tion and prayer through the Province, on account of
y"" distressing Drought."

Chicopee Street 43
December 28, 1751, "We are informed that some
in Boston who keep thermometers find that several
days this week, it is colder by 7 or 8 degrees than has
been known for several years past."
Nov. 13, 1753, "About II o'clock in y= forenoon
to y^ surprise of many was heard y= report as of a
large Cannon in the air, and by some in Connectticut
the same, an Alarm of a Drum following by the space
of several minutes."
May 23, 1766, "The School House in Hartford
Blowed up by Powder. Killed & wounded. Oh!
Sad Effects of intemperate joy for the Repeal of the
Stamp Act."
This is the last entry preserved.
This old letter, carefully preserved among old
records, wills, and deeds, shows that the course of
true love did not always run smooth with the young
men and maidens of the "Antient" days.
September 27, 1770.
Sir, I take the Liberty To write to you on a Sub
ject I never meddled with Before. I Desarn a Very
Great alteration in a Sartain female Sence your ab
sence from here, and such uneasyness of mind as I
fear the Event. She is sensible of her abuse to you,
and desires you would give Her one op.ertunity more
to Speak to you and if you will grant her the favour,
you may make some Business with me, and I wiU
Give you a Secret opertunity, and Sir, if you will not
Do it for her Sake, please Do it for mine.

44 Annals of
I am not about to Bring you into a Snare.
Whether you comply or not Pray keep this an entire
Secret. Your Humble Servant.

A few colored people were held as slaves, but
slavery was always a mild form in Massachusetts.
Pompey and Betty, who were married Nov. lo, 1755,
belonged to Phineas Chapin. Bowen was owned by
Landlord Abel; and Caesar, by Lieut. Japhet.
Caesar ran away. Rev. Peletiah Chapin, who had
married the daughter of Lieut. Japhet, went in search
of him, but stopping to preach lost him again. His
tory does not .say if he was ever found. Boston was
bought from Charles Colton by Capt. Ephraim Cha
pin in 1760, for "Fifty-five Pounds Lawful Money."
Another was Stephen, whose name appears on the
tax list, but with no intimation of his owner.
From 1779 to 1785 there are no Parish records.
Meanwhile, Mr. McKinstry had been growing feeble,
and with loss of vigor his voice was growing weak.
The young people were not coming into the church,
and there seems to have been general dissatisfaction.
The times were hard, and by the division of the
Parish the church was to lose some strong men on the
west side of the river. An effort was made to secure
the resignation of Mr. McKinstry, and one faction
went so far as to close the meeting house. But Mr.
McKinstry had been settled for Hfe, and, reasonably
enough, was unwilling to give up his pastorate.

Chicopee Street 45
After long discussion, and much recrimination, the
matter was very wisely settled by a Council, of which
Dr. Bezaleel Howard of Springfield was scribe.
Mr. McKinstry retained his parish. He was to
perform such ministerial services as the Parish desired
and his strength allowed. In return he was to receive
from the Parish £18 a year, and fifteen cords of wood.
It was voted to secure as colleague "a learned and
orthodox minister." Rev. Stephen Bemis, who had
studied theology with Rev. Dr. Lathrop of West
Springfield, and had married a daughter of Capt.
Phinehas, was called, but he declined. For sixty-
one years Mr. McKinstry was pastor of this church,
but for only thirty was he in active service. He died
in 1813.
Dr. Lathrop, who preached his funeral sermon,
speaks of him as "a man of good natural abilities, a
respectable scholar, and a sound divine, a man of
exemplary piety, a modest disposition and unwaver
ing patience under long continued trials."
In 1796 it was "voted to hire a master to instruct
in Singing." This was of course Church Music.
Watts' Psalms & Hymns was in use here, very soon
after its first introduction into the country, and there
was a choir in the meeting house, almost from the
very first. In 1798 "voted to see what number of
persons are likely to attend a Singing School should
one be set up in the parish." Sufficient interest was
shown to raise $40. Mr. Stickney was the first
master. Among later teachers were Joseph Pease,

46 Annals of
Dea. Asa Pease of Granby, Cyrus White of South
Hadley, and Reuben Goodman. Master Stickney's
Singing School was the beginning of a series which
continued, winter after winter, for more than fifty
years. In 1785 Col. Abel Chapin built the old brown
house, where he "kept Tavern" for many years,
hanging out under the old elm tree the sign which
told of good cheer and hospitality within. This sign,
still in existence, shows on one side haystacks and
sheaves of grain, on the other an ox and sheep with
the name, S. Chapin, in large letters underneath.
Col. Abel was a large farmer, and fatted cattle for
the Brighton and New York markets, cattle which
were the wonder and admiration of ah. His son,
Sumner, after him, continued the tavern and the fat
tening of cattle. Both father and son received many
premiums for their stock. Some of us remember the
beautiful Short Horns coming home from Cattle
Show with their blue ribbon premium badges tied to
their horns.
It has been the fashion with some of this day and
generation to deride the narrowness of old New
England times. It is true that life in those days was
very simple, but that life can hardly have been
amusingly narrow, which dwelt continually on the
tremendous realities of Liberty in this world and of
Salvation in the world to come; and to the sweet and
wholesome influence of these homely lives we owe
much that is good in these latter days. Devout in

Mouse IUiili- kv Col. .\iiicl Ciiaimn in 17S5.
Now owned by his grandson, CIre.sCer W. Ch.npin.

Chicopee Street 47
thought and habit, no people ever had truer reverence
for God, the Bible, or the Sabbath.
Family worship was almost universal, as was also
the custom of asking a blessing at the beginning and
of returning thanks at the close of every meal. In
most families the Sabbath began and ended at sun
down, but a few thought with Mr. Pyncheon, that
"the Lord's day did begin with the natural morning
at midnight, and end with the natural evening at
midnight." At first there were few clocks or watches, the
hour glass, sun dial, and noon mark being used to
mark the time. But by the close of the last century,
tall clocks had become common.
Homespun was the common, everyday dress, but
most men had a Sunday suit of English broadcloth,
while their wives had one or more silk dresses.
Cloaks of beautiful red broadcloth were worn, and,
occasionally, one of black satin.
Mrs. Kezia, wife of Major Moses, who was mar
ried in 1785 and died in 1822, left a wardrobe that
would be elegant even in these modern days.
Every young girl had her chest or drawers of bed
and table Hnen, blankets, coverlids, underwear and
stockings, probably spun, woven, and knit by her own
hands. The store accumulated from year to year,
and was ready for her marriage, when that came, or,
if she remained unmarried, perhaps she needed it all
the more. It was caHed her "setting out," a quaint
term to indicate the new life upon which she entered.

48 Annals of
The first carpets were "Home made." They were
of wool, with beautiful stripes of bright colors, and
were filled with coarse heavy linen yarn.
"Boughten" carpets, as they were sometimes called,
did not come into these homes until after the War of
1812. Mrs. Giles Chapin, Betsey Chapman of El
lington, brought two carpets when she came, a bride,
to Chicopee Street in 1816. By 1830 they were com
mon in every "North" or "South Room," as the par
lors of those days were generally called.
The houses were warmed by fireplaces, great cav
erns filled with backlog and forelog as foundation for
the smaller wood laid on top. The cooking was all
done at the kitchen fireplace, which was furnished
with a crane, with hooks and trammels for hanging
pots and kettles, while below on the hearth, in a bed
of coals, stood spider, skillet, or famous bake-kettle.
Most of the baking was done in the brick oven, and
no more delicious and appetizing food was ever eaten
than came from these old brick ovens.
The big kitchen was the living room, and was the
most attractive room in the house. There on winter
evenings "Shut in from all the world without
We sat the clean-winged hearth about.
Content to let the north-wind roar.
In baffled rage at pane and door.
While the red logs before us beat
The frost-line back with tropic heat."
As matches were unknown, every house had a tin
der box, with flint and steel, and scorched linen, for

Chicopee Street 49
striking fire, when necessary. But great care was
taken to preserve the fire, by covering it with ashes,
when not needed. Sometimes fire was borrowed
from a neighbor, and there were town laws ordering,
that "fire shall always be covered, when carried from
house to house."
The warming pan was part of the furniture of
every house. This was a covered brass pan with a
long handle, often of mahogany, which was filled with
coals, and passed between the sheets at bedtime to
take off the chill. It was used in sickness, or in ex
treme cold weather, when the children and old peo
ple were treated to a warm bed.
Foot stoves were common, and were often carried
to meeting, filled with coals from hard wood or cobs.
The old Meeting House must have been a bitter cold
place in winter, for fire in the House of God would
have been considered an enervating luxury. It is re
membered that when the question of putting a stove
into the new Meeting House came up for discussion,
one man remarked: "If you had more of the grace
of God in your hearts, you could keep warm enough
without a fire."
Candles were the only artificial light at first and
for many long years, excepting candle wood, a name
given to pine knots, of which a plentiful supply was
always kept for use. They were burned in the fire
place during the long winter evenings, giving a bril
liant light to the big kitchen. Candles were made at
home by dipping the long wicks in hot melted tallow.

5© Annals of
Dipping candles was a most interesting process. Un
der the skillful hand of the housewife they grew into
the proper size and form, and when the number of
dozens needed for family use was completed, they
were properly cooled and laid away in store in the
candle box.
After the death of friends, it was customary to "put
up a bill" as it was called, "asking the prayers of God's
people, that the affliction might be sanctified to the
surviving family and friends." The relatives all sat
together, and some who were never seen in church
dared not lose their respectability by staying away at
this time. On one occasion, the minister prayed so
earnestly for a family of motherless children, asking
that the loss might be more than made up to them,
that the father was indignant, saying, "He prayed that
the Lord would give them a better mother." This
custom was continued here until quite recently.
The old Burying Ground was opened in 1741.
Miss Sarah Hitchcock of Brimfield, who died while
visiting relatives here, was the first to be laid there.
It was enlarged in 1797, when forty-five dollars
was spent in caring for it, and when it was taken in
legal form under the care of the Parish. Since that
first burial, over seven hundred of our ancestors, rela
tives, and friends have found their last resting place
in this quiet spot.
The gladdest day of all the year was Thanksgiving
Day, for to us of Puritan ancestry Christmas was then
unknown (Christmas was kept for the first time in

C hie op ee Street 51
Chicopee Street in 1867). No New Englander can
ever forget and. no outsider can ever understand the
meaning of "getting ready for Thanksgiving." For
weeks beforehand, all the housekeeping arrangements
were planned for it. The farm work was hurried up
that the boys might be ready to begin school "the
Monday after." New shoes, new gowns, new bon
nets and hoods and cloaks were made ready — every
thing must be in order for the great and joyful occa
sion. Pies without number, and in bewildering variety,
found their way from the fragrant big brick oven to
the buttery shelves. The raised cake, a modification
of the English plum pudding, was a work of art. It
was always baked on the week before. At least
twenty-four hours were required from the making of
the yeast before the beautiful brown loaves gladdened
the housekeeper.
Then came the long watched-for Sunday when the
Proclamation was read. And when the minister rose
in the great pulpit, opened the big sheet printed with
the big letters, and, after reading the causes for thank
fulness which the pious heart of the Governor had
suggested, closed with the stirring words, "God
SAVE THE Commonwealth of Massachusetts,"
our hearts beat fast with pride and patriotism.
Going to meeting was a part of Thanksgiving Day.
It was a re-union of friends, for children and grand
children came to the old home to keep the day in glad
remembrance. Special music was always prepared.

52 Annals of
and the Meeting House rang with Psalm and An
them. The dinner table was loaded with all the good
things which the farm could supply and the skill of
the housekeeper provide. One thing must not be
forgotten, which was always on the table, the chicken
pie. The turkey might sometimes be left out, but
the chicken pie never.
The first house in WiHimansett was built by Abel
Chapin (Landlord Abel), probably about 1720. No
other settlement seems to have been attempted for
many years. Some time before 1777, Rev. John
Pendleton, Collins Brown, GilHs Frink, and Eleazar
Wright had built houses in WilHmansett. Rev. John
Pendleton was a Baptist minister, and preached occa
sionally. His house stood near the South Hadley
line. He was kiUed by a fall from his horse. After
the Revolutionary War, a brother of John, Caleb, the
father of Nathan and Jesse, settled near him.
Capt. Joseph Griswold came about this time and
built the house now the home of his granddaughters.
Miss Elizabeth Mack and Mrs. Helen M. Stratton.
Here he kept tavern until his death in 1829. For
nearly forty years the old sign with the British Lion
on one side, and the American Eagle wearing on its
breast a shield with the Stars and Stripes, on the
other, welcomed the traveler.
By 1 76 1 the number of children had increased so
much as to make the old school building uncomforta
bly small. This was taken down, and what some of

Old Red Schoolhouse.
Built in 1761. Taken down in 1846.

C hicop ee Street S3
us remember as "The old Red Schoolhouse" was
built on the same lot — in later years, between Dr.
Amos Skeele's on the north, and Dea. Joseph Pease's
on the south. It was an exceUent building for the
time, well built and substantial. It was of two stories
and fronted the south. At first there were fireplaces,
afterwards box stoves were substituted for these, one
of them being large enough to hold four-foot wood.
It was not only schoolhouse but Parish house, and
was used for a variety of purposes, — Prayer Meet
ings and Lectures, Singing Schools, Debating Socie
ties, SpeHing Schools, Temperance and Anti-Slavery
meetings, and sometimes a Justice's Court. In the
lower room the desks were on three sides, rising by
steps to the last row against the wall. Upstairs the
seats and desks were movable. The older scholars
occupied the room downstairs ; and the little ones, the
upper room. Sometimes there was a private school
in the upper room for the more advanced scholars.
In this room there was a pair of globes, an orrery,
and a prism.
The names of only two of the teachers of the early
days are known, Samuel Ely and Samuel Leonard,
Jr. In 1773 the latter received "£7 for teaching the
school in Upper Chickopee the space of six months."
For many years there were frequent changes in the
teachers. A young woman taught all the scholars in
the summer and the younger scholars in the winter,
but a man was thought necessary to govern the large
boys in the winter. He was often a coUege student.

54 Annals of
This schoolhouse also was built by the people of
the Street; but two years later, in 1763, the town
voted "Six Pounds to Ensign Phineas, Ephraim, and
Edward Chapin of Upper Chicopee towards paying
for the schoolhouse." The SpeHing Book and Cate
chism were the first books studied. The Testament
was the first reading book. Writing was taught, and
simple arithmetic. Fine penmanship was considered
an accomplishment. Later The Schoolmaster's As
sistant, often called Daboll's Arithmetic, came into
use and kept its place for a long time. In 1783 Web
ster's Spelling Book with its fables and wonderful pic
tures made the children glad, and the next year
Morse's Geography told most wonderful things about
the earth's surface. The Art of Reading and The
American Preceptor were added to the Testament for
reading books, and Murray's Grammar began to teach
"how to speak and write the English language cor
rectly." By 1830, Smith's series of school books. Grammar,
Geography, and Arithmetic, was in common use.
Peter Parley began his story telling about this time,
and continued it in Geography, and in the First,
Second, and Third Books of History. Emerson's
Arithmetic, with its pretty pictures, was the first
child's Arithmetic; and Colburn's Mental Arithmetic
was the standard for more than forty years.
Those of us who had the good fortune to be
brought up with the interesting series of Readers
published by G. & C. Merriam, remember them with

Chicopee Street 55
delight. The Easy Primer, The Child's Guide, The
Improved Reader, The InteHigent Reader, The Na
tional Reader, and The Village Reader, were for their
time quite equal to any modern system of school
books. But what shall I say more? For time would
fail to tell of all the books read and studied in The
Old Red Schoolhouse, during its existence of more
than eighty years. In 1842 it was moved from the
place where it had stood so long to the lot where the
present schoolhouse stands, and in 1846 it was taken
down. For a long time the schools were opened and
closed with prayer. The scholars were quietly dis
missed at night, each one stopping at the door, to
bow or "curtsey" to the teacher. Chfldren were ex
pected to show the same civility to older persons
whom they met in the street. This custom was con
tinued as late as 1835, and some of us can remember
how we ranged ourselves in a row, to "make our
manners" as the stage went by.
Dea. Edward lived until 1800. He was, as we have
seen, one of the strong men, in parish, church, town,
and state, well educated, of large sympathies, sincere
piety, and consistent life. One of his sons was Dr.
Calvin Chapin of Rocky Hill, Conn., — one of the six
ministers who organized the American Board of Com
missioners for Foreign Missions. The Rev. Dr. A.
L. Chapin, late President of Beloit College, was a great
grandson. Dea. Edward's wife, Eunice Colton of
Longmeadow, survived him a number of years. She

56 Annals of
was known by the quaint name of "Granny Deacon" —
not a term of ridicule, but of affection, for she was very
much beloved. She was a sweet singer, and, in her
visits among the neighbors, used to carry her hymn
book in a bag, and sing to the children, some of whom
never forgot her clear voice and pleasant ways.
Their house, built in 1751, was burned in 1871.
A very practical church unity existed at this time,
for among those who often preached here with accept
ance was "Father Rand," so long the useful and well-
beloved pastor of the Baptist Church of Ireland Par
ish. In 1804 it was "Voted, that the people of the
denomination of the Baptists, have a right to use the
Meeting House for one year, in proportion as they
pay their taxes." This vote was repeated in subse
quent years, probably until the Baptists were strong
enough to organize for themselves. In 1816 they
were holding services of their own in Willimansett.
Wagons and carriages were not seen in Chicopee
Street until after 1800, as every one rode on horse
back. We do not read, however, that they fright
ened the horses, as was the case in Blandford, where
a town meeting was called to forbid their use on this
ground. Happily the effort was unsuccessful. Capt.
Phinehas was one of the first to own a chaise, and Dr.
Skeele had one about the same time. Mr. Ruel Van
horn of Lower Chicopee owned the first double car
riage and drove a pair of handsome white horses.
Every able-bodied man between the ages of 18 and
45 was required to train, and Training Day became a

Chicopee Street 57
regular, though not a legal, holiday. Twice a year
the drums and fifes sounded the call to duty. The
Spring training was near home, a Company training.
In the fall the whole regiment trained together.
Much enthusiasm was manifested, and many titles
were won in this service.
Col. Silas greatly enjoyed military practice, and
gave time and money to it. It is remembered of him,
that on the last day on which he rode as colonel at the
head of his regiment, he spent one hundred silver
dollars, in entertaining his officers and soldiers.
Col. Levi C. Skeele was the last man in Chicopee
to receive a commission, under the old laws. This
commission is dated March 5, 1835, and is given by
"His Honor, Samuel T. Armstrong, Lieutenant Gov
ernor and Commander in Chief of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts." Soon after this changes were
made in the statutes, and he was "honorably dis
charged at his own request in 1837."
One familiar feature of those old days, the later, not
the earHer ones, was the Post Rider, or, as he was
commonly caHed, "The Post." Every Wednesday
morning brought Mr. Alfred Judd from South Had
ley on his way to Springfield. On Tuesday, he rode
to Northampton, bringing from there the Northamp
ton Courier and Hampshire Gazette, which he dis
tributed to subscribers along his route. There were
a few in Chicopee Street who preferred the North
ampton papers. Wednesday P. M. saw him return
ing with the Springfield Republican, Springfield Ga-

58 Annals of
zette, and Hampden Post. How eagerly we used to
watch and listen for the blowing of the horn which
announced his approach! His wagon was usually
well loaded with boxes and bundles, for express com
panies were not yet. Sometimes he carried letters
and occasionally passengers. Winter's cold or sum
mer's heat rarely kept him from his weekly round,
and the memory of his regular visits is among the
pleasant things of childhood.
We must not forget the stage, which twice a day,
for many years, rumbled through our Street. After
1823 it brought and carried the mail. The yellow
coach, with its four horses, was the most elegant con
veyance imaginable, and how we children envied the
people who found it convenient or necessary to travel
in that luxurious manner. At first one coach was
sufficient for the needs of travel, but in the years just
before the building of the Connecticut River Railroad
three and four crowded stages passed daily.
The years passed on. One by one the old men,
good and true, and the women, gracious and faithful,
were gathered to their fathers. In 1804 there were
but seven male members in the church. This year
Dr. Amos Skeele moved into the place; and a little
before this a young man, Joseph Pease, had married
Bethiah Chapin, and opened the first store in Chico
pee Street. Mr. Pease's life was unique in the num
ber of offices and positions he was called to fill. He
was first Mr. Pease, then Ensign, Captain, 'Squire,
and Deacon. As a young man he taught school, was

IIuUiK JUMLT hy CUKI'URAL Rt)S\VLLI. ClIAl'liN IN 1793.
The house-warming was on July 4, when the dinner was lamb and green peas. Tlie house was bought by
Dr. Amos Skeele in 1804, and remained in the family unlil it was burned iu 1894.

Chicopee Street 59
a farmer, merchant, lumber dealer, and manufacturer.
He was Representative to the Legislature. As Jus
tice of the Peace he was often called to settle estates,
sometimes to act as Judge, and occasionally to marry
people. As a singer he had a fine tenor voice, and
he often taug'ht singing school, played the bass viol,
and led the choir. Everywhere he was an esteemed
and useful citizen.
Dr. Skeele was an earnest Christian, a man of in
domitable energy, with the courage of his convictions
and of a mighty faith. When his wife, a woman of
rare loveliness of character, objected to moving to
Chicopee because there was no minister, his reply
was: "If we go to Chicopee, we will have a minis
ter." At this time the Sabbath services were irregu
lar, perhaps unattractive. For three or four months
in each year, preaching was hired; at other times
"Deacon's Meetings" were held, when a sermon was
read. After Dr. Skeele came he took charge of these
meetings. Mr. Pease led the singing, — they always
had good singing,— and Mr. Caleb Pendleton read
the sermon. Mr. Pendleton writes in his Diary:
"From the year 1800 in April to the present year
(1824), I have for the most part assisted in Meetings
on the Sabbath & at other times in the Parish, having
read 456 Sermons, and many other pieces on Divinity
in Meetings." Occasionally Mr. Osgood, the young
minister from Springfield, or Mr. Storrs from Long
meadow, or Dr. Lathrop from West Springfield came

6o Annals of
for a Sunday and administered the Lord's Supper to
the few disciples left. Dr. Skeele carrying on his heart
continually his desire for a settled pastor.
Two helpers in his prayers and efforts might be
styled, as the Apostle John styled his friends, "Elect
Ladies,"— "Widow Lucy" and "Widow Mary," as
they were caHed. "Widow Lucy" Hved in the house
which, until recently, stood in the comer opposite
the church, once owned and occupied by Levi Sted
man. She had been a faithful friend to Mr. McKin
stry, and her house was open for service when the old
Meeting House had been forcibly closed. Her faith
in the future of the church was strong, and her pray
ers for its prosperity unceasing. The 2d Part of
Watts's version of the I02d Psalm was her delight,
especially the ist, 2d, 5th, and 6th verses, which she
often repeated, emphasizing the fines: —

And

"This shall be told, when we are dead
And left on long record."
"It shan't be said that praying breath
Was ever spent in vain."

Her faith was rewarded. A pastor was settled in
May, 1824, and she lived untH September of the same
year. "Widow Mary" was a younger woman, of deep
piety and unusual executive ability. She was the
widow of "Young Capt. Ephraim," as he was called
to distinguish him from his father. She lived in the

Chicopee Street 61
house now owned and occupied by Mrs. Marshall
Pease. It might be said of her, as of the beloved
Persis, "She labored much in the Lord." Always
ready for every good work, she was a blessing to the
church and community, and died in a good old age.
Two young men joined the church during these
days of darkness and depression, men of influence in
the church and community — Orange Chapin and
Giles S. Chapin. Both served the church as Deacons.
Dea. Orange taught school for a while, afterwards he
was farmer and surveyor, or civil engineer. He was
Assessor and Selectman, and Representative to the
Legislature. He was Captain of a mHitary com
pany, and was for more than thirty years Justice of
the Peace. He was Clerk of the Parish for forty
years, and Deacon for twenty-seven years.
Giles S. Chapin was Deacon for twenty-eight years.
He, too, was Selectman and Representative. He was
farmer and manufacturer, and a very successful busi
ness man. Both were men of earnest and sincere
piety. Dr. Skeele's courage never faltered. His faith
never grew weak. Financial embarrassment and
hard times followed the war of 1812. But the coun
try rallied, and the farmers were again prosperous.
Wherever there was a ministers' meeting of any kind
in the vicinity, association or ordination, Dr. Skeele
was there with his question, "Do you know of any
minister we can get to settle among us?"
"Doctor, your church cannot support a minister."

62 Annals of
"We are going to have a settled minister," was
his invariable reply.
"Father, you are crazy," said his eldest son to him
one day. "We cannot support a minister."
"Otis, I shall live to see a settled minister."
As physician he rode up and down the Street,
across the plains to Ludlow, up the River to South
Hadley, to Lower Chicopee, sometimes to West
Springfield, always planning and praying for a settled
minister. Brig'hter days came at last. The Home Mission
ary Society was willing to help, and a call was given
to the Rev. Mr. Ripley. Ireland Parish was looking
towards re-union with us. But this project failed,
and Mr. Ripley declined the caH. About this time
word came to Dr. Skeele that the Rev. Alexander
Phoenix, a man in middle life, just entering the min
istry, was looking for a country parish in the Connect
icut Valley. He had been a merchant in New York,
where bereavement and pecuniary losses had turned
his attention to a life of increased usefulness. This
he hoped to find in the ministry. Having some in
come, salary was a secondary consideration.
Two parishes sought him. He would come and
preach in Chicopee, and look over the ground. He
came. A call was given him, but he hesitated. On
the Monday morning after the last Sunday of his
preaching as a candidate, as his horse was brought to
the door, Mr. Phoenix stood a few minutes before
mounting. "Well, Doctor, I will let you know in

Chicopee Street 63
two or three weeks, but I do not think I shall come
here. As things are now, I think I shall accept the
call to Hatfield. But you will hear from me soon.
Good morning." Mr. Phoenix rode away. The
Doctor turned, went into the house, and calmly ob
served, "In less than a year, that man will be our set
tled minister."
It made no difference to him that Mr. Phoenix had
just told him that he should probably settle elsewhere.
He was sure that this was the man the Lord had
chosen for this church. His faith triumphed. In a
few days the letter came. Mr. Phoenix accepted the
call, on a salary of "$400, with a vacation of eight Sab
baths." Mrs. Phoenix was a daughter of Gov. Caleb Strong
of Northampton, and both were connected with other
prominent families in New England. They brought
with them to Chicopee culture and refinement. It
must have been a great change from the atmosphere
of city life to a country parish in those days, but there
was no friction in the relation of pastor and people.
The people accepted him as their leader and example,
in temporal as well as spiritual affairs, and reverenced
him as few churches reverence a pastor. The older
people followed him as a wise guide, the younger ones
loved him as a father.
It is difficult for one who did not live here during
Mr. Phoenix's pastorate to understand his influence.
It was not that he was a great man. But he accepted
the opportunity which came to him, and in ways most

64 Annals of
wise and discreet he helped the people in their every
day life, while he
"Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way."
For the sake of his oldest son, who was not a strong
man, he bought a farm, broug'ht new and improved
breeds of cattle, and new methods of farming. His
garden was an object lesson. Strawberries had been
cultivated before. He brought finer kinds. He had
beautiful flowers. He built the first picket fence. In
his house he had a family school, which was open to
the young women of the parish, who gladly availed
themselves of the opportunity to attend it.
Mr. Phoenix was ordained and installed on Wed
nesday, April 28, 1824.
The following notice is copied from an old Church
Record : —
"The day was solemn as well as interesting in the
prospect before us, in the Ordination and Settlement
of Mr. Alexander Phoenix at Chicopee, the 2d Parish
in Springfield (Mass.) as a Pastor of the Church and
People, and was performed in the following order,
viz. Rev** Mr. Wright of Ludlow to make the Re
port of the appointment of the Ordination, the set
ting of the Council, and the duties assigned to each
Minister to act on the day. The Rev'' Mr. Knapp of
Westfield made the Introductory Prayer. The Rev''
Doct. Romeyn of New York to Preach the Sermon,
from 2,^ Timothy 2 Chap. 15* v. The Rev^ Mr.
Gould of Southampton made the Consecrating Prayer.

Chicopee Street 65
The Rev** Mr. Williams of Northampton gave the
Charge. The Rev'' Mr. Osgood of Springfield gave
the Right Hand of Fellowship and the Rev'' Mr. Cha
pin of Granby, the East Society, made the concluding
Prayer. "AH parts of duty were performed with Solemnity,
and the Assembly appeared to have an attentive ear,
and good order on the occasion.
"Caleb Pendleton, Jr., Clerk of the Ch."
One of the conditions of Mr. Phoenix's settlement
was the repairing of the old Meeting House, or the
building of a new one. It was decided to build;
$3000, in sixty shares of $50 each, was raised by sub
scription, and the work was put into the hands of
Shepherd & Whitmarsh, at that time a prominent
building firm of Springfield. The building commit
tee were Dea. Joseph Pease, Lewis Ferry, Jr., Orange
Chapin, Joseph Chapin, Giles S. Chapin, Silas Sted
man, and Stephen C. Bemis.
The lot of land on which the house was built was
given by Eleazar and Mary Chapin Strong of Gran
ville. Mrs. Strong was a granddaughter of Dea.
David, and her home had been in the old house with
the fortified door. Perhaps a few who read this will
remember her as "Miss Polly." The Meeting House
when finished "cost Four thousand, four hundred dol
lars, some odd cents." The beautiful mahogany pul
pit, costing $500, was given by friends of Mr. and
Mrs. Phoenix.

66 Annals of
The comer stone was laid on May 12, 1825, and
the Meeting House was dedicated on Jan. 4, 1826.
Mr. Phoenix preached the sermon from 2d Chron.,
7th chap., i2-i6th verses. The Rev. Messrs. Os
good, Sprague, and Gould assisted in the services.
Dea. Asa Pease of Granby led the singing.
The committee to seat people on the day of dedica
tion were Orange Chapin, Closson Pendleton, Dr.
Rodolphus Perry, Chester W. Chapin, Stephen C.
Bemis, Miletus Pendleton, and Joseph Griswold, Jr.
The slips were bought by individuals, and among
the owners we find the names of Samuel Osgood,
Edward Pyncheon, and Daniel Bontecue. The most
valuable slips were the one set apart as the minister's
pew, and the one on the opposite side of the house,
bought by Joseph Pease for $200. When the Meet
ing House was built, there was no other church be
tween South Hadley and Springfield, though the
same year a small Methodist church was built at what
is now Chicopee Falls. The congregation here came
from Willimansett, Chicopee Factory, and Lower
Chicopee, and no one dreamed of the changes which
a few years would make in the parish.
Mr. Phoenix's pastorate continued eleven years.
His son-in-law says of him in his funeral sermon:
"These years of pastoral labor in Chicopee were as
full of peace and happiness as any man could hope for
in this world." The wonderful revival which swept
over the country, especially New England, in 1830
and 31, visited Chicopee, and large additions were

Chicopee Street 67
made to the church. But bereavement followed him
here. Two sons, his namesake, a young man of twen
ty-five, and a bright boy were taken. In 1835 he left
Chicopee and a sorrowing people to reside in New
Haven. He died in Harlem, N. Y., Aug. 31, 1863.
His last thoughts, almost his last words, were of
Chicopee. "Write — write to Brother Clark. Tell
him, — tell them how much I love them." During
twenty-eight years of separation, he had loved and re
membered and prayed for his people, and here to-day
there are grateful memories of him, and of the beau
tiful work God gave him to do.
Rev. E. B. Wright succeeded Mr. Phoenix in a
short pastorate of four years. He was a good man,
but easily depressed, and failure of health increased
this depression. He was fond of singing and used
to gather the chHdren on Saturday afternoons. One
half hour was spent in singing, and the other in recit
ing the Catechism.
The Rev. E. B. Clark came to us in the summer of
1839. He was acceptable from the first, and a call
was given him, which was promptly accepted. He
was ordained and instaHed Oct. 16, 1839. He was
married to Miss Cornelia DeWitt of New Haven,
Dec. 23, 1839, and the young people came at once to
this, their first and only parish.
Mrs. Clark was a beautiful woman, lovely in per
son and character, and her influence in the parish was
hardly secondary to that of her husband. How wise
ly and tenderly she sympathized, encouraged, and

68 Annals of
comforted will never be forgotten by those to whom
her gracious ministrations were given. Mrs. Clark
died Jan. 17, 1880.
Mr. Clark was a good pastor and a good practical
preacher. He was also a good citizen. His long life
among us gave him the feeling that all these homes
belonged to him, whether the inmates attended our
church or some other. He knew every one, and
every one knew him. The generation which grew up
under his influence were largely indebted to him for
the formation of their character.
For many years he was a member of the School
Board, both in Springfield and Chicopee. He was a
public spirited man. He planted shade trees. He
cared for the parsonage. He was intensely patriotic,
and served on the Christian Commission during the
Civil War.
The needs of the soldiers found a ready response
from the hearts and hands of our people. Soldiers'
Aid Societies were organized. Lint and bandages
were prepared. Apples dried, cornfortable garments
for the sick and wounded made ready; garrets and
closets were ransacked, and beds and blankets sent to
the army.
When the news of the fall of Richmond came to
Chicopee, Marshall Pease was the first to hear it.
He rushed to the church and rang out a peal of joy on
the old bell. Mr. Qark came hurrying in to know the
cause of this midday ringing.
"Richmond has faHen!" shouted Mr. Pease.

Chicopee Street 69
"Then let us sing the Doxology," said Mr. Clark, and
there, alone in the old church, the two sang,—
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow."
They had sung the words together many times before,
they sang them many times after, but never with
deeper feeling or more thankful hearts.
It was during Mr. Qark's pastorate that the
Underground Railroad ran through Chicopee Street,
with stations at Otis Skeele's and A. G. Parker's.
Mr. Clark was not unwilling to be of assistance on
this line, and at one time kept in his family several
weeks a bright and valuable colored man, who was
in hiding from his master.
One of Mr. Clark's valued and trusted friends was
Dea. Sidney Chapin, a man whom we all love to re
member. He was a wise counselor, a generous giver,
a faithful friend, a beloved officer in the church, a
man of blessed memory.
Mr. Clark's only son is the Rev. Dr. Clark of the
Tabernacle Church, Salem. The daughter, Cornelia,
died in 1883.
Mr. Clark was pastor of this church for thirty-six
years, being dismissed in October, 1875. The
changes of these years are suggested by his farewell
sermon. In this he says that only one person is pres
ent who was in active life in the parish when he was
settled. In November, 1883, Mr. Clark married Miss
Rosetta Wilcox of New Haven.
After his dismissal he remained in Chicopee Street

7° Annals of
until 1888, when he removed to Springfield. Mr.
Clark died April 23, 1889. He left with his people
the benediction of a faithful and loving pastor, and
an earnest and consecrated life.
It is quite impossible to record all the reforming
and philanthropic influences of these later days. The
Temperance Society with its 130 autograph signers to
the Pledge; organized at first as the "Men's Associa
tion," it vras afterwards "voted, to take in the Ladies."
Nearly every family is represented. The Columbian
Debating Society, the Pledge for keeping the Sab
bath, the Maternal Association, the Moral Reform
Society, the Colonization Society, the Anti-Slavery
Society, the Monthly Concert of Prayer for the Con
version of the World, and the Weekly Prayer Meet
ing. The Monthly Concert was on the first Monday
evening of every month, and the Prayer Meeting on
Thursday evening of each week. The latter was
called the Conference Meeting, and was held "at early
candle Hght." All these meetings were in the school-
house. The faces and forms of the godly men of those days
and the sound of their voices in prayer, are as distinct
in memory as if it were only yesterday.
Six men were always there, and always in the same
places: Dea. Simeon Stedman, Dea. Giles S. Cha
pin, Mr. Lewis Ferry, Mr. William Chapin, Dr.
Skeele, and Dea. Joseph Pease. Others may have
been as faithful, but they did not always sit in the
same place, and so made less impression on the mind

Chicopee Street 71
of a child. After the death of Dea. Joseph Pease, Mr.
William Chapin was chosen in his place, but declined
the office. He was a good man and true, and worthy
to be held in remembrance among the fathers of those
days. The story of the two hundred years is told. We
began our existence as the 5th Parish of Springfield.
After 1763, when Wilbraham was set off as a separate
town, we became the 4th Parish. These changes re
mind us of the old days when scholars worked their
way "up the class." In 1775 West Springfield was
organized, and again, we "went up" and became the
3d Parish. In 1783 Longmeadow left the old town,
and we were promoted to the second place, which we
kept for more than sixty years, until in 1848 we
"went to the head" as the First Parish of Chicopee.
The old Parish was at first a territory. Now it Hes
within the bounds of a single country street. WhHe
there has always been a steady drain upon the life of
our community, Chicopee Street has from the first
possessed a wonderful vitality. The men and women
who have gone out from these homes have gone to
build up other churches, to bless other communities,
to brighten other lives. They have been a race of
workers. They are artisans, mechanics, farmers and
manufacturers, business men, lawyers and doctors,
teachers, editors, and clergymen.
Rejoicing in our past, a few of us still keep the old
home, and watch and wait with earnest longing for
the coming of better days.

APPENDIX
Reminiscences by Judge E. W. Chapin of Holyoke
Read at the Annual Roll Call Meeting of the First Church
IN Chicopee, September 30, 1897
My Dear Friends: —
The occasion which calls us together awakens feelings of
pleasure and of sadness; of pleasure, to meet old friends whom
we have been accustomed to meet in this time honored place, of
sadness as we miss the sight of familiar faces and fail to receive
the cordial greetings of friends of Auld Lang Syne. As we
think of different friends who have left us we long "for the touch
of a vanished hand and the sound of a voice that is still." But,
if we have profited by the messages delivered from the sacred
desk, and remembered the words of wisdom in Holy Writ, we
cannot fail to recognize that our loss is our friends' gain; that
absence from the body is presence with the Lord; that joys of
immortality surpass those of time. For ourselves, —
" 'Tis sweet as year by year we lose
Friends out of sight, in faith to muse
How grows in Paradise our store."
This is a world of change, and yet as I compare the changes of
Chicopee Street with those of Holyoke and other places about
here it seems to me there are less here than in the crowded city.
This beautiful street with its wide spreading elms standing in
front of ancient dwellings looks as attractive as ever. The Con
necticut River flows by with the same slow and steady current
as in days of yore, but commerce has put it to new uses; freight
that used to pass up and down this river and through the old

74 Annals of
canal by the slow moving canal boats, is now carried on the
swift moving cars. The poet of old time wrote in its praise, —
"Roll on, loved Connecticut, long hast thou ran,
Bringing shad to Northampton and pleasure to man."
It brings no longer shad to Northampton. Fishermen no
longer gather in nets at South Hadley Falls the shiny fish which
each spring used to bring up the river. The fishermen now
stand in vain upon its shores to lure the unwary fish with tempt
ing bait. They have left the stream, which has not the purity
of former days. When the first dam was built at Holyoke the
Connecticut River rebelled against being stopped, and broke
away from its restraint, carrying the dam with it in its course.
As I stood by the river bank in Willimansett when a boy and
saw the river filled with timber and logs sweeping past, I recall
old Mr. Sikes, who was then a member of this congregation,
always ready with some Bible quotation, repeating on this occa
sion a verse from Proverbs, as he watched the turbulent waters
bearing away the timbers of the new dam. "Wilt thou set thine
eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make them
selves wings; they fly away, as an eagle toward heaven."
Chicopee takes its name from the Indian name of Chicopee
River, which is said to mean the "River of Elms." All in this
vicinity at first attended church at Springfield, and forded the
Chicopee River at what was called "the Indian wading place"
back of the Dwight Mills. It was not until 1783 that a bridge
was built across the Chicopee River. There is a story told of
one of the early settlers who trafficked with the Indians for furs.
Not finding him at home, the Indians went to Springfield and
found him at church, but he would say little to them beyond
letting them understand that he would trade with them the next
day. One of the Indians inquired the cause of so many white
men assembled together, and the man, with an eye to business,
replied they were putting down the price of beaver skins.
The difficulty of attending church in Springfield led to the
erection of a church in Chicopee Street in 1752; as there was no
church in Holyoke then, the early settlers there were obliged to
cross the Connecticut River to attend church here in Chicopee
Street. Then no bell was here to call to church, and when the

Chicopee Street 75
first church of the valley was built, as the hour for worship on
each Sabbath morning came around, the people were called
together by the beating of a drum. Conveniences of light and
heat were not present with our ancestors as with you. There
was no fire in the first church, and if any attempt was made to
carry any substitute it was done in the shape of a foot stove
containing a pan of live coals, having a secure covering per
forated with holes to let out the warmth within. I have seen in
the attic of my old home such a foot stove, which was carried by
my parents to church to warm the feet of the occupants of our
family pew. Many of us remember the long box stove which
formerly stood near the easterly end of the audience room of this
church, having a long pipe extending across the church and
turning upward towards the roof a short distance in front of the
pulpit. It had, too, I recollect, a large pan attached to the knee
of the pipe to catch any stray rivulets that might course down
the pipe from the roof and fall otherwise on the heads of the
listeners below. My mother told this story of the introduction
of the first stove into the church. Some woman opposed
the innovation, fearing the heat would be too oppressive. The
stove, however, was put up, but for some reason no fire was
built in it the first Sabbath. This, however, was not known by
the woman, who was so overcome by anticipated heat that she
was compelled to leave the church during the service.
The old choir gallery has ceased to be occupied by the choir
but I cannot forget its associations. No stately organ was it
our fortune to see there, but we were not without our music.
The last bell had not ceased to ring before we used to see old
Mr. Goodman, with his big bass viol, leave the little red house
across the street a short distance above here, and with slow,
dignified tread enter the church and climb the stairway to his
elevated place, and immediately proceed to tune his instrument
and awaken divers wondrous noises from its recesses, until at
last the right sounds were evoked and all was in readiness to
accompany the choir. As I had a side seat in the northwest
corner of the church, I could see the different church members
as they came in and took their places Sabbath after Sabbath with
prompt regularity. I recall the time when a change was pro
posed in regard to the position to be occupied by the congrega-

76 Annals of
tion, as the choir was then in the rear of the church. It had been
for a long time customary for the congregation to turn around in
their pews to face the singers. The pastor suggested that a
change be made and the congregation face the minister instead of
the choir, and proposed that the audience stand as they rise. All
did not readily accept this innovation, I remember; and I was
amused from my side seat to see the result, those in some pews,
remaining as they rose with faces turned towards the pastor,
while those in the next pews in front would rise and turn to
wards the singers. You have now been prevented from having
any such dilemma by placing both choir and pastor in front of
the congregation. The Sabbath school which gathered at the
close of the morning service was always of great interest to me.
The class of boys which gathered there, while I cannot say that
they gave the earnest study to the lesson which they have given
in later years, were not members by any means of a Quaker
meeting; having been separated for several days the meeting
was one partaking of a social as well as of a religious nature.
If a boy had purchased a new pair of boots from Mr. Adolphus
G. Parker's shop during the week he was sure to exhibit them
to his fellows, and the same was true of other new articles of
wardrobe. I think Miss Julia Ann Chapin and the other teach
ers who had the charge of our class found it a lively one, but
the members held their teachers in great respect and have al
ways remembered their kindness and sympathy. I have never
regretted my connection with classes in the Sunday school. As
I grow older I am more and more convinced that we do not
appreciate the value of Bible study as we ought. The treas
ures of wisdom which the Bible contains if stored in the heart
of the possessor will bring him greater happiness than the pos
session of the gold mines of the Klondike in the Yukon valley.
It is the hope of an immortality taught in pulpit. Sabbath school,
and Christian homes that brings comfort to us on an occasion
like this, when we call to mind the different members of our
households whose presence we miss. The God of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob "is not the God of the dead, but of the living,"
and we commend the childhood faith taught us in Wordsworth's
poem of the little cottage girl of eight years, a part of which
I quote.

Chicopee Street 77
" 'Sisters and brothers, little maid.
How many may you be?'
'How many? seven in all,' she said,
And wondering looked at me.
" 'And where are they? I pray you tell.'
She answered, 'Seven are we:
And two of us at Conway dwell
And two are gone to sea.
" 'Two of us in the churchyard lie.
My sister and my brother;
And in the churchyard cottage, I
Dwell near them with my mother.'
******
" 'How many are you, then,' said I,
If they two are in heaven?'
The little maiden did reply,
'O master, we are seven!'
" 'But they are dead; those two are dead!
Their spirits are in heaven.'
'Twas throwing words away: for still
The little maid would have her will.
And said, 'Nay, we are seven.' "
Rev. John McKinstry was the first pastor of this church and
a faithful servant in his pastoral work. His successors have all
been devoted servants of the Lord, and left noble examples of
lives of usefulness. My acquaintance with the pastors here com
menced with Rev. E. B. Clark. He was a faithful steward dur
ing his long pastorate and, like the venerable pastor Goldsmith
describes, —
"In his duty, prompt at every call,
He watched and wept, he prayed and felt for all."
He was faithfully assisted by his beloved wife, and all who have
met that saintly woman will ever remember the ready smile and
kind greetings she always gave. His children will always be

78 Annals of
pleasantly remembered by us and we all rejoice in the successful
work of his son in the city of Salem. This parish has certainly
been blessed in its choice of pastors from first to last. We all
bid the present pastor God speed in his work here. To make
the most of life, we may wisely study the examples and experi
ence of those who have preceded us, and the faith and self-
sacrifice of our fathers and mothers should not be forgotten.
A reverent recognition of God's government was theirs. A
conscientious desire to know, and do, their duty influenced their
minds and controlled their actions. Even their failings leaned
to virtue's side. By a comparison of the present with the past
the young people of to-day may be led to prize more the oppor
tunities before them. We live in an age of progress. Knowl
edge to our eyes "has unrolled her ample page rich with the
spoils of time." Our choices need to be made with the greatest
care. The calls to action are many, but what to do, and how to
act, is not always clear. We need the wisdom and experience of
the past to guide us. As we return to this venerable and conse
crated place, we are glad to find here still so many old acquaint
ances and friends, descendants of the old families, whose lives
and virtues we recall with so much pleasure.
"Happy he whom neither wealth nor fashion.
Nor the march of the encroaching city drives an exile.
From the hearth of his ancestral homestead.
"We may build more splendid habitations.
Fill our rooms with paintings and with sculptures.
But we cannot buy with gold, the old associations."

Chicopee Street 79

Pastors and Deacons of the First Church
OF Chicopee Pastors
Rev. John McKinstry, 1752—1813.
Rev. Alexander Phoenix, 1824 — 1835.
Rev. Ebenezer B. Wright, 1835—1839.
Rev. Eli B. Clark, 1839—1875.
Rev. William E. Dickinson, 1876— 1887.
Rev. Collins G. Burnham, 1888—
Deacons
Benjamin Chapin, 1752—1756. Giles S. Chapin, 1834— 1863.
David Chapin, 1752 — 1776. Orange Chapin, 1840—1863.
Samuel Cooper. Sidney Chapin, 1863— 1875.
Edward Chapin, 1773— 1800. Nathan Mosman, 1863— 1866.
Amos Skeele, 1813-1825. Marshall Pease, 1866— 1896.
Simeon Stedman, 1825— 1834. William D. Chapin, 1875—
Joseph Pease, 1825—1839. Pascal J. Newell, 1896—

Ministers who have gone out from the Chicopee Street
Church
Rev. Sewall Chapin, Rev. Samuel Chandler,
Rev. Walter Chapin, Rev. Charles Peabody,
Rev. Calvin Chapin, D. D., Rev. John Alexander McKinstry,
Rev. Chester Chapin, Rev. DeWitt S. Clark, D. D.,
Rev. Ephraim Chapin, Rev. Amos Skeele,
Rev. Alfred Wright, Rev. Francis L. Palmer.

8o

Annals of

Singers in the Old Meeting House
Joseph Pease, Chorister.
Lucy Griswold, Counter. Orithya Chapin, Counter.

Mary Chapin,
Betsey Chapin,
Mabel Griswold,
Roxana Skeele,
Marcy Skeele,
Hannah Van Horn,

Sophia Van Horn,
Louisa Van Horn,
Rhedexa Chapin,
Frances Chapin,
Melia Chapin,
Dorcas Lima Warner.

Harvey Chapin, Tenor.

Levi Stedman, Bass,
Alpheus Chapin, Bass,
Otis Skeele, Bass,
Lewis Ferry, Jr., Bass,

Whitfield Chapin, Bass,
William Moulton, Bass,
Alvin Chapin, Bass,
Sylvester Chapin, Bass.

Sheldon Chapin, Bass Viol.
Amos Skeele, Jr., Flute.

Singers in the New Meeting House, who sang on the
Day of Dedication, Jan. 4, 1826

Eliza McKinstry,
Emily McKinstry,
Theodosia McKinstry,
Sophia Warner,
Electa Warner,
Lima Warner,
Mary Ann Stedman,
Sophia Stedman,
Sophronia Pinney,
Huldah Morgan,
Delina Skeele,
Elvira Chapin,
Melissa Chapin,

Aurilla Talcott,
Delina Van Horn,
Joseph Pease,
Joseph Chapin,
Levi Stedman,
Quartus Chapin,
Lewis Ferry, Jr.,
Otis Skeele,
Phinehas Pease,
James Pease,
A. G. Parker,
Reuben Goodman.

Chicopee Street 8i
The Sunday-School
The first Sunday-school was held in the old church during
the summer of i8l8. It was organized by the Rev. Chester
Chapin. Dr. Amos Skeele was superintendent.
The teachers were
Orange Chapin, Joseph Pease,
Caleb Pendleton, Rhedexa Chapin,
Marcy Skeele, Betsey Chapin.
The lessons were the 35th and 97th Psalms, 40th chapter of
Isaiah, 29th chapter of Proverbs, Christ's Sermon on the Mount.
These were all committed to memory.
The next year Rev. Reuben Hazen, who was preaching here
at the time, formed a Bible class, which met in the old red
schoolhouse. Among the lessons were, the names of the books
of the Bible, the names by which God is known in the Scrip
tures, Is the observance of the Sabbath enjoined in the Scrip
tures? answered by proof texts. This school continued only a
short time.
Our present Sunday-school was organized in the new church
in 1826.
The superintendents have been
Simeon Stedman, Benjamin H. Stedman,
Joseph Pease, Phineas Stedman,
Giles S. Chapin, .William J. Baker,
Phineas Stedman, Marshall Pease,
Otis Skeele, Rev. C. G. Burnham.
Sidney Chapin,
The first librarian was William L. Bemis, who retained his
office till 1841, when he left the place. He was most careful and
exact in the care of the books. They were all covered with
white cotton cloth. About 1839, a number of anti-slavery books
were put into the library and these were all marked with a big
black A.

83

Annals of

In 1844, through the influence of Mr. Elias Gates, our Sun
day-school missionary society was organized. This is still in
active operation. The largest membership of the Sunday-school
was in 1834, when 159 names were registered. The present
number is 65.

Catalogue of Books in Parish Libratiy

No

N<

).

Vo

1'.

Vol.

8

Spectator.

I

Barlowe's Writings.

Hervey's Meditations.

I

Salem Witchcraft.

Blair's Sermons.

3

Hunter's Biography.

Miss Rowe's Letters.
I
Beauties of History.
Anson's Voyages.
I
Belisarius.
Bruce's Travels.
2
Washington's Letters.
Goldsmith's Essays.
I
Sublime -and Beautiful,
Franklin's Life.
I
Price's Sermons.
American Songster.
I
Fordyce's Addresses.
Raynold's Histories.
I
Vision of Columbus.
Keats' Sketches.
I
Pope's Iliad.
Franklin's Works.
2
Walker's Sermons.
Natural History.
I
Sentimental Journey.
History of England.
2
Beauties of History.
Men of the World
J
¦LVX^ii \JL ^liC VV L/1 IU.
Bunyan's Holy War.
2
Moore's Journal through
Romance of the Forest.
France.
American Revolution.
I
Well Bred Scholar.
Smith's Moral Sentiment.
I
Adams's Selections.
Paley's Philosophy.
1
Thomson's Seasons.
Interesting Memoirs.
I
300 Animals.
Blair's Lectures on Criticism
. I
Robinson Crusoe.
Life of Howard.
I
Cyrus' Travels.
Essays.
2
Algerine Captive.
Morse's Geography.
I
Locke's Essays.
Chicopee Street

83

1 Burrough's Life. i
I Chappell on Miracles. i
1 Ladies' Library. i
2 Thomas's Essays. 1
I Elements of Morality. i
4 Robertson's Histories. 4
vi Lee's Memoirs.

Roslin on the Covenant.
Volney's Ruins.
Wattson's Apology.
McLane on the Types.
French Revolution.
Kaime's Sketches on Man.

This list is incomplete, as one volume bearing the No. 150 is
still in existence. We do not know when this Library was estab
lished, probably near the close of the last century; but Mr. John
McKinstry has this lamentable record, "June 21, 1834, Chicopee
Vendued their Library, and forsook the tree of knowledge."

84 Annals of

Industries of The Old Fifth Parish
Various industries have at different times occupied our peo
ple. Titus and Erastus Morgan were still members of this
parish, when they built the saw mill "down in the field" on the
banks of the Connecticut in Ireland Parish, about a mile above
the present Holyoke dam. This was about 1783 and was the
first utilization of that great water power.
The water privilege at the south end of our Street was early
improved by Chicopee people, for in 1791 "a new saw mill" was
built by Gad, Luther and Azariah Vanhorn, Silas, Phinehas,
William 2d, George, Seth, and Japhet Chapin, David Ashley
and John Bridges.
The first blacksmith's shop was set up by Mr. Adkins on
land now owned by Mr. Phelon. The slag from the furnace
remained there for many years; later Mr. Dilliber had a shop
near the saw mill.
At different times enterprising individuals have been sure
that iron ore could be found in our hills, but no venture ever
proved very successful.
In 1810 George Gibbs of Providence, R. I., conceived the
idea that coal was hidden in the banks near the Chicopee River,
and signed a contract with Seth Chapin, which gave him liberty
"to dig and bore" for the supposed treasure. But after a fruit
less search, the contract was annulled, and the disappointed man
returned home.
For a time Otis Skeele carried on boot and shoe making
near his father's residence, afterward removing to Willimansett,
where he continued the business till 1834. When he left Chico
pee Street, he sold out to A. G. Parker and Orson Allen. Their
first shop was in Mr. Parker's house. Mr. Allen remained in the
business but two or three years. Mr. Parker built a shop and
enlarged his manufacture. Both Mr. Parker and Mr. Skeele
found ready market for their boots and shoes in Hartford and
New York.

Chicopee Street 85
Mr. Parker made ladies' fine shoes and also heavy and fine
boots. He became a very popular shoemaker. People from
Springfield ordered their shoes from him, among them Dr.
Osgood, who used to bring up his boys and girls to be meas
ured for their yearly supply of slippers and shoes. In 1853
Josiah A. Parker was taken into partnership, and the firm be
came A. G. Parker & Son. The business was afterwards re
moved to Chicopee Center. At one time about twenty men
were employed and shipments were made to New York and to
western cities. Mr. Parker, Sr., died in 1883, and his son con
tinued the business for a few years longer, but has since given
it up. The first store in Chicopee, and for many years the only one
in many miles, was opened by Joseph Pease about 1800. It
stood near the tavern and was the center of trade for the coun
try round about. After 1823, when Mr. Pease was appointed
postmaster, the post office was kept there until 1834, when it
was removed to Willimansett. In 1821, Stephen C. Bemis, who
had been a clerk in the store, was taken into partnership, and the
firm became Pease & Bemis. Not long after Mr. Pease sold out
to Mr. Bemis. In 1824 Chester W. Chapin opened a rival store
on the opposite side of the street, but this continued only a year,
when the rival firms became one under the name of Chapin &
Bemis. Ill health caused the withdrawal of Mr. Chapin, and
Mr. Bemis continued the business alone, until his removal to
Willimansett in 1831. He had been commissioned postmaster
in 1824, and continued in office so long as the post office re
mained on our Street.
From Stephen C. Bemis the store passed into the hands of
William L. Bemis, and from him to Eli Stephenson, who again
sold out to Parker & Bemis. Meanwhile Cabotville was grow
ing in importance, and trade here was becoming unprofitable.
From being the center of activity and business, having the only
post office, store, doctor, minister, and church, and the best
schools in this part of the town, we suddenly found ourselves
only a suburb of a growing manufacturing village.
Mr. Frederic Chapin added to his business of "keeping tav
ern" the manufacture of powder on Powder Mill Brook at
"Tigua." He afterwards made brick.

86 Annals of
Giles S. Chapin made brick for many years and was very
successful. The brick in the oldest buildings and factories in
Chicopee Center came from his yard.
The first manufactory of friction matches in the country, per
haps in the world, was established here in 1835. Mr. Phillips,
who came from Connecticut, had begun the making of them at
his home, but he lacked capital. He met D. Monroe Chapin,
who became interested. He, or his father, Mr. Frederic, fur
nished the capital and built the shop. The firm was Chapin &
Phillips. They were successful ; the business grew. At one time
sixteen girls and four men were employed. Two large two-
horse wagons went out over the state, taking orders, and deliv
ering the goods. After three or four years of unusual success,
the business passed into other hands and was removed from the
Street. Deacon Sidney Chapin made brooms in Chicopee Street from
1850 to 1875. He employed, for the entire time, an average of
four men, and made thirty thousand brooms per year. His
market outside the Northern states was Virginia, North Caro
lina, Georgia, and London, England. Up to the breaking out
of the civil war, he filled orders in Atlanta and Richmond, and
as soon as peace was restored, the market in these southern
cities was at once open to him again.
In 1831, the Willimansett Manufacturing Company for the
manufacture of machine cards and small hardware was organ
ized, with Bemis & Sheffield as agents. At one time as many
as one hundred men were employed. The hardware included
compasses, dividers, and other small tools. Before this time
these goods were all imported and were expensive. This enter
prise changed prices, and helped to make American hardware
popular. Mr. Bemis is considered the pioneer in the manu
facture of hardware in the Connecticut valley. Later the busi
ness was removed to Springfield, where it is continued under the
name of the Bemis & Call Company.
After this the factory, with its water privilege, was bought by
Willis Phelps, who changed it to a woolen mill. Willis Phelps,
Phelps & Smith, Henry Salisbury, and Jared Beebe continued
the making of woolen goods until after the civil war. Probably

Chicopee Street 87
Jared Beebe was the most successful of these. A few years ago
the mill was burned. It has been partly rebuilt, but never occu
pied since.
The first post office in Willimansett was established in 1834.
Sylvester Allen was the first postmaster. He was succeeded by
Closson Pendleton and later by Pascal J. Newell.
The Connecticut River Railroad was opened, and the Willi
mansett station built in 1845.
In 1841 Closson Pendleton opened the hotel and kept it a few
years. With the building of the bridge a new prosperity has
come to the village, and it is again one of the busy wards in the
City of Chicopee.

YALE UNIVERSITY

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