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Here are just a few documents on the wonderful history of Lanesborough.
Circa 1829 • Circa 1885
• 'Twinning' Lanesborough 2007 • Today
A
History of the Town of LanesboroughBy
Rev. Henry B. Hooker
Transcribed
by Dawn Newton Quinn
In January, 1741, Samuel Jackson and 75 others, inhabitants of Framingham, in
the county of Middlesex, petitioned the General Court to grant them a tract of
wilderness land, situated on the Housatonic river, near to an Indian town.
The grant was made, and they were authorized to survey and locate "a
township, of hte contents of six miles square, adjoining south on Indian
Town, (so called,) on the Housatonic river, or as near that place as the land
would allow," upon certain conditions mentioned in said grant. Under
this act, this township was surveyed and located. At a meeting, held Oct.
19, 1742, the proprietors voted to call it Ritchfield, until a name
should be given to it by the Legislature. It was afterwards called New
Framingham.
The settlement was commenced about 1754 or 5, by Capt. Samuel Martin, a Mr.
Brewer, and a Mr. Steales. A party of Indians, in the second French war,
drove off these families, and Capt. Martin was the only one who returned.
A fort for the protection of the settlement, was erected near where the house of
Dea. Wolcott Hubbell now stands. On the approach of the Indians, the
settlers fled to Pittsfield. A scout was sent after them from
Massachusetts Fort. In following tracks which were found, two Indian
chiefs were discovered, stooping down and tying on their moccasins. Each
of the scouts selected one, and both chiefs were killed on the spot. The
scout safely escaped to the fort, though closely pursued by the Indians. A
party immediately set out from the fort in search of the bodies of the slain
chiefs, who found them buried in their war costume.
Among the earliest settlers, after those which have been mentioned, were
Nathaniel Williams, Samuel Tyrrell, John, Ephraim, Elijah and Miles Powel, (four
brothers,) Lieut. Andrew Squier, James Loomis, and Ambrose Hall. They all
settled here as early as 1759. William Bradley, James Goodrich, Thaddeus
Curtis, Ebenezer Squier, Benjamin and Joseph Farnum, settled here not far from
that time.
The town was incorporated on the 20th of June, 1765, and then included a large
part of the present town of Cheshire. It is bounded by New Ashford on the
north; by Cheshire and Dalton on the east; by Pittsfield on the south, and by
Hancock on the west. The length of the town from north to south is 6
miles; the breadth on the south is 6 miles, and on the north 3 miles and 20
rods.
The soil is generally of an excellent quality, consisting principally of a clay
loam; and the chief attention of the inhabitants is turned towards
grazing. Little grain is raised, beside what is needed for home
consumption.
The south branch of the Hoosic rises in the southeast corner of the town.
The west branch of the Housatonic enters the town from New Ashford, passes by
the centre of the town, and runs through the large pond, called Lanesborough
pond, into Pittsfield. This pond is partly in the latter town. It
abounds with fish, such as pickerel, perch, and trout, and affords at its outlet
some very valuable mill-sites. The principal settlements are on a street
which extends several miles along the eastern side of this branch of the
Housatonic. Here are the three houses of worship belonging to the
different religious denominations. The neighbouring meadows are remarkably
luxuriant and beautiful, while the hills beyond them strike the eye with great
pleasure. The scenery from various points of elevations is picturesque and
delightful.
Some valuable beds of iron ore have been found here, from which considerable
quantities of iron were formerly manufactured; though but little attention has
been paid to them for some years.
There are several extensive quarries of valuable marble; some of which, in the
western part of the town, were opened at an early period; others, near New
Ashford, were opened 15 or 20 years ago. The principal are on the estates
of Dea. Elijah Phelps, Abiel Platt, Bethuel Baker, and the Hon. Judge Savage, of
New York. A large portion of the marble in the capitol at Albany, was
transported from these quarries. Great quantities are now sent on the
Western Canal into the interior of New York.
The number of inhabitants in 1810 was 1303, and in 1820, 1319. The number
of deaths for the last 25 years is 487, averaging 19 annually. The largest
number in a single year was 34, and the least 7.
There are 8 schools in town, 5 stores, 4 taverns, 1 grist-mill, 4 saw mills, and
3 mills for sawing stone.
The Congregational church, consisting of 5 males and 3 females, was organized
March 28, 1764, by Rev. Messrs. Samuel Hopkins, of Great Barrington, and Stephen
West, of Stockbridge.
Before this, the Rev. Levi Hart, afterwards Dr. Hart, of Preston, Con., and Mr.
Woodbridge Little, who afterwards became a distinguished inhabitant of
Pittsfield, preached here for a short time. The first pastor, the Rev,
Daniel Collins, was ordained April 17, 1764; and the first meeting-house was
erected in 1768, though it was not entirely finished until several years
after. The present meeting-house was built in 1828, and dedicated Jan. 1,
1829.
Mr. Collins continued in the ministry until he died, Aug. 26, 1822, in the 84th
year of his age; though in the latter part of his life he had the assistance of
a colleague.
He was born in Guilford, Con.; took his first degree at Yale College in 1760,
where he sustained the reputations of a good classical scholar, and afterwards
read theology with Dr. Bellamy, of Bethlehem. Settling here when the town
was new, and discharging the various duties of pastor, in the seasons of
prosperity and adversity, for nearly half a century, he had an extended and
happy influence in forming the manners and habits of the people. Some
seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, occurred under his
ministry. Sound in judgment his counsel was often sought in cases of
difficulty, by churches in the vicinity and at a distance. He possessed
good sense, dignified manners, and exemplary piety; was affable, hospitable, and
benevolent, and greatly beloved and esteemed in all the relations of life.
He was first a trustee of the Free School, and then of the College in
Williamstown.
In 1812, in consequence of infirmities, he was induced to desire a colleague;
and on the 8th of July in that year, the Rev. John De Witt, of Catskill, N.Y.,
was associated with him in the pastorial office.
Mr. De Witt was dismissed on the 8th of Dec. 1813, and afterwards settled in the
second Reformed Dutch Church in Albany. He is now a professor in the
Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, N.J.
The Rev. Noah Sheldon was settled as colleague with Mr. Collins, July 15, 1818,
and became sole pastor upon Mr. Collins's death. He was dismissed, by
reason of ill health, May 2, 1827, and now instructs a private school in
Stockbridge, boarding the scholars in his own family.
The Rev. Henry B. Hooker, the present pastor, was installed on the day of
Mr. Sheldon's dismission, having been previously ordained an evangelist.
The number of members at the formation of the church, was 8
Mr. Collins (during his whole ministry) admitted 283
Mr. Sheldon admitted, after the death of Mr.
C., 14
Mr. Hooker has
admitted
11
Total,
316
The number of members, at the commencement of the present year, was 74.
Deacons.
Ebenezer Buck; died 1805, aged 90.
Azariah Rood; removed to Vermont.
Nehemiah Bull; chosen 1780; died Dec. 1815, aged 77
Ebenezer Squier; chosen 1783; died 1797, aged 67.
Andrew Squier; chosen 1798; died 1824, aged 93.
Gideon Wheeler; chosen 1809; died 1822, aged 77.
Wolcott Hubbell; do. 1818.
Elijiah Phelps; do. do.
Zenas S. Clark; do. 1829.
The Episcopal church in this town, called St. Luke's church, was initiated by
the Rev. Samuel Andrews, of Wallingford, Con., Oct. 2, 1767, and the house of
worship belonging to this denomination was erected in 1783. The rev.
Gideon Bostwick, of Great Barrington, had the pastoral charge of the church, and
preached to it occasionally from June 26, 1770, until his death, June 14, 1773.
The Rev. Daniel Burhans succeeded him immediately, and continued here until
June, 1799, when he removed to Newtown, Con., where he still officiates.
The Rev. Mr. Thacher laboured in this church from Dec. 28, 1799, until June 18,
1801. He removed to Ballston, New York, where he died.
The Rev. Amos Pardee, graduate of Yale College, 1793, took the charge of the
church; Feb. 13, 1802, and continued in it until Sept. 28, 1818, when he removed
to the State of New York, where he has since been employed in missionary labours
in different places.
The present rector, the Rev. Aaron Humphrey, was born and educated in the State
of Maine, and took the charge of this church, March 9, 1820.
A revival which prevailed in the north part of the County in 1826, reached this
people, and some souls were hopefully brought into the kingdom. The
present number of communicants is about 50.
The Baptist church was formed in 1818, with 12 members. About 34 have been
since admitted. The number of members reported at the last meeting of the
Baptist Association, was 35.
The Baptists have enjoyed the labours of Elder Augustus C. Beach, and of Elder
Richmond Taggart.
Joel Redway was chosen deacon of this church, July 13, 1822.
Their house of worship was erected in 1828, and dedicated Feb. 10, 1819.
Physicians.
Francis Guiteau; native of Bethlehem, Con.
Reuben Garlick; removed to Canada, and became an Episcopal clergyman.
Hezekiah Clark; native of Lebanon, Con.; removed to Pompey, N.Y.
Asa Burbank; native of Williamstown; graduate of Williams College 1797; died at
Williamstown the previous year.
Enoch Perce; a native of Peru.
Joseph Jarvis; removed to the state of New York.
William H. Tyler; a native of New Ashford.
Lawyers.
Samuel W. Wheeler; native of this town; removed to the State of New York.
Chauncey Lusk; native of this town; graduate of Williams College 1795; admitted
to the bar in 1800; died 1803.
Luther Washburn; native of Hardwick; removed to Pittsfield.
Calvin Hubbell, Jun.; native of this place; graduate of Williams College 1810;
admitted to the bar in 1813.
George N. Briggs; native of Adams; admitted to the bar in 1818.
Hooker, Henry B. "A History of the Town of Lanesborough."
In A History of the County of Berkshire, Massachusetts,
ed. Samuel W. Bush, 386-391. Pittsfield, MA: Samuel W. Bush, 1829.
Circa 1829 • Circa 1885
• 'Twinning' Lanesborough 2007 • Today
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