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Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 13, 1875
Sunderland
Sunderland - Eli Duparo has about cleared Monsell's lot of timber, but has some wood, etc. to get off yet. He has another job all ready when this is done.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 13, 1875
Sunderland
Sunderland - Albert Hobart has built a new tobacco barn and corn house. Deacon Gay is thoroughly repairing the house he bought of the E.E. Robinson estate. Tobacco is mostly on the poles, and on the whole is an average crop. Apples are selling low, there being more than was expected. The crop of onions is good, but prices rule low.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 13, 1875
Probate Court Record
Probate court Record - Greenfield - Administration granted on estates of George W. Bardwell of Deerfield, Jane F. Bardwell and Cyrus A. Stowell, Adm'rs.; Jeremiah Dow of Erving, Edmund M. Dow of Erving, Adm'r.; Joseph M. Townsend of Coleraine, Sarah Townsend of Coleraine, Adm'r.
Wills proved - Samuel Alexander of Northfield, George P. Alexander of Northfield, Ex'r.; Sarah Cook of Greenfield, John J. Graves and R.W. Cook of Greenfield, Ex'rs.; Ansel C. Delano of Sunderland, Jesse L. Delano and Edward A. Delano of Sunderland, Ex'rs.; Moses Hubbard of Sunderland, Cyrus M. Hubbard of Sunderland, Adm'r. with the will annexed.
Accounts rendered - on estates of William W. Alcott of Bernardston, Clark Ellis of New Salem, Clarissa Battle of Orange, Mary J. Gore of Monroe, Harriet M. Brown of Greenfield, A.M. Kingman of Deerfield, George S. Boyd of Deerfield.
License granted to sell real estate - Of John Arms of Gill, Andrew Welch of Montague, Walter D. Thompson of Troy, Ohio.
Widows' allowance - Made in estates of Rufus S. Phillips of Greenfield, $500; Edward Thayer of Greenfield, $9018.
Affidavits filed - in estate of Charles S. Brown of Greenfield, Baxter Harding of Conway, P. May Buddington of Greenfield, Rufus S. Phillips of Greenfield, Moses Field of Leverett.
Estate of Ephraim Murdock, late of Orange, represented insolvent, H. Woodward and G.A. Whipple, Commissioners.
Commissioners' report filed in estate of John Haskins, late of Shutesbury. Distribution ordered in estate of George S. Boyd, late of Deerfield.
John Quinton of Greenfield adopted infant child of William H. Seley; name changed to John George L. Quinton. Name of Flora M. Reynolds of Shutesbury changed to Flora M. Freeman. Next Probate Court at Northfield next Tues. (tomorrow).
Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 6, 1875
Great fire at South Deerfield
Great fire at South Deerfield - over $40,000 worth of property destroyed. One of the most destructive conflagrations that has ever visited Franklin County raged at South Deerfield Sat. night, sweeping out of existence the two village hotels, the finest private dwelling house in the place, a manufacturing establishment, a livery stable with several buildings, sheds and other property.
About 15 minutes before 12 o’clock, fire was discovered in the trimming room, in the second story of the ell part of John Ockington’s carriage shop, which was located on Depot Street, a little west of the Main street of the village. Before the alarm became general the flames with almost lightning rapidity spread to the main building, a large 2 story wooden structure, used for the various branches of the carriage business, and a repository for finished work.
Mr. Ockington’s books were rescued, and a portion of his stock, but a carryall, buggy, express wagon, sleigh, and a no. of carriages in different stages of construction, tools and lumber and stock of various kind were destroyed. ..The wind, which was blowing strongly from the north and north west, carried the flying cinders in the direction of Main Street.
Ten and a half ft. from the shop was the livery stable owned by W. Houston and occupied by Frank Warren. Hardly 15 minutes from the breaking out of the fire the stable had caught, and in a very short time was reduced to ashes...The next building reached by the devouring fire fiend was the Hayden Hotel, a large 2 story wooden building in the south west corner of Main Street and Depot Street, 75 ft. distant from the stable. It was owned by L. Hayden and occupied by his son Charles Hayden.
...Nearly all the furniture was removed from the building, but still considerable valuable property was destroyed. Miss Benn Hayden occupied a fancy goods store in the block, and her stock was nearly all saved.
100 ft. to the south on Main Street was Loren Hayden’s fine dwelling house, built but a short time ago, the most extensive residence in South Deerfield, and well furnished. Only a part of the furniture was saved, and the building and most of its contents were soon in ashes. In the rear, 27 ft. distance, was a large new barn which with its contents of hay and grain were destroyed....
While the conflagration was waging its war of destruction upon this corner of the street, another had broken out with equal fury on the opposite corner. The Bloody Brook House, belonging to C.P. Aldrich, was in a few moments a mass of flames. This long building, extending over 100 ft. on Main Street, with a new ell on Depot Street, its barns and numerous outbuildings melted before the flames like frost beneath the rays of the sun.
Efforts were made to clear out the contents but they were mostly unavailing, and the furniture, a piano, billiard table, provisions, bedding, etc. were lapped up by the greedy element. In the large grocery store of L.T. Harris, in the ell part of the building, but little was taken out. Scudder, a jeweler, saved most of his stock, but shot himself through the hand while handling one of his revolvers. J.T. Burnett occupied a room as a barber shop, but met no serious loss.
S.F. Fisher, who had a harness shop in the building, packed his goods and tools in trunks, and saved nearly all. P. Corkins, the shoemaker, another occupant, was alike fortunate. Several boarders in the hotel lost their clothing, but fortunately no one perished or was seriously injured.
Providentially there was a change in the wind, and the fire made no further progress in a northerly direction; though a horse belonging to Edward Jones of Greenfield, which is adjacent, was scorched and vigilant watching was required to prevent it from igniting. O.S. Arms’ house, on the east side of Main Street opposite Hayden’s, was several times on fire. All of the furniture was taken out, and by cutting through the roof and applying water as best they could when flames were discovered, he and his neighbors managed to save the building.
On the corner of Main Street opposite the Hayden hotel, is a large wooden building belonging to C.A. Pierce. This too was scorched. and the roof was frequently on fire, but it was saved without serious damage. Its occupants, M. Roch, druggist, Boyd & Houghton, dry goods, Mrs. B. Parsons Mansfield, milliner, O.S. Arms, post office and shoe store removed a portion or all of their goods, and had them more or less damaged. William B. Houston, who occupied a tenement on the 2nd floor, had his furniture taken out.
Deacon L.H. Fellow’s house, some 20 ft. from the post office, was also on fire and its contents taken out, but the fire was kept at bay by the use of small hand pumps, such as are used in gardens and in washing carriages. C. Mosher’s livery stable was saved in the same way. Numerous other houses and buildings were at different times on fire, but the assembled people were able to put them out.
South Deerfield is without a fire engine, reservoir, or any organized means for extinguishing fire. The people who assembled in obedience to the alarm could do little but assist in moving furniture and goods, and the fire in the destruction of the buildings mentioned had it all its own way. Within two hours from the breaking out of the flames in Ockington’s shop they had done their work, and nothing was left but tottering chimneys and smouldering embers.
About a quarter past 12 a dispatch was sent to Springfield for help and an hour or two after, two steamers and a hose cart arrived, making the run from Springfield in 40 minutes; but it was too late to be of service, and if the engines had come earlier there would have been little water that could have been made use of. The train soon returned.
The Deerfield Guards, under Captain B.F. Bridges, who had returned from msuter the afternoon previous, were early called to guard the property scattered about the streets. Some disturbance was created by boys who had confiscated liquors, but it was quelled without serious trouble. The fire was seen for miles, and burning brands were carried as far as Sunderland.
Mr. L. Hayden was so prostrated from the excitement incident to the fire that there were rumors yesterday that he was not likely to survive; but these rumors were probably exaggerated. John Ockington, one of the principle sufferers, is away at the seaside.
[Article goes on to discuss policies and amount of insurance, but this is all nicely listed in the NYTimes article].
Though there is some doubt about the origin of the fire, the prevailing belief is inclined to incendiarism. There had been no fire about the carriage shop after 3 o’clock the previous afternoon. The place in the building where it broke out was quite a distance from the forging shop. The calamity is a serious blow to the community.
[See the article "Losses by fire" in the Sept. 6, 1875 issue of the New York Times Online Archive].
Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 6, 1875
Sunderland
(Sunderland) Ansel C. Delano, who died on the 25th, age 68, was born and has passed his life near the church in S., of which he was many years an exemplary member. He buried two wives and 3 children, and left 4 sons to mourn the loss of the "best of fathers".
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 23, 1875
Montague
A few mornings since a dark flag was seen waving on Mt. Toby by a Sunderland man, who was at a loss to determine its significance. He conjectured it to be a signal of distress, though he did not start to the rescue. The flag was in the hands of one communicating telegraphically with a person in this village. With the aid of glasses, these persons say they could talk successfully with each other. We should think proprietor Goss might devise a way to communicate with his man at the summit from his place of business at the city.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 16, 1875
Montague City
R.L. Goss, who had built 4 scows to be used in the work of constructing protections for the river bank near Northampton, launched them, and at about 11 o'clock on Thurs., with some 100 invited ladies and gentlemen, started on a voyage down the Connecticut. The scows were nailed together, and an awning was put up to protect the gay party from the sun or rain. The Montague City band furnished music, and refreshments were taken on the passage. It had been proposed to make Northampton before the arrival there of the evening train, and by that means be able to go back home.
But the wind was "dead ahead", and in spite of poling and rowing, very slow progress was made. The scows finally put into port at Sunderland bridge, the party being satisfied with their experience on the "blue wave". But it was a jolly trip, and they didn't mind in the least "footing it" to the depot at South Deerfield.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 26, 1875
Franklin County tax payers
Greenfield - no. of polls, 927; in 1874, 929; valuation of personal property, 1875, $853,973; in 1874, $828,853; valuation of real estate, 1875, $1,969,665; in 1874, $1,954,790; total valuation, 1875, $2,823,638; in 1874, $2,783,653; rate, 1875, $14.50 per thousand; 1874, $13.50 per thousand.
The following is a list of persons who pay a tax of $25 and upwards, not including fire district tax, which will be about $3 on $1000.
Abell, George A., $41.15
Austin, Thomas N., $33.90
Adams, George C., $87.70
Adams, Peleg, $360.50
Adams, John A., $85.52
Amidon, J.H., $26.65
Avery estate, $30.45
Allen, William H., $89
Allen, F.R., $89
Allen, S’s Sons, $304.50
Allen, George A., $44.05
Allen, Quintas, $83.20
Allen, John S. & Son, $44.82
Arms, George A., $413.80
Arms, Elihu G., $46.95
Aiken, David, $65.80
Ames, James M., $129.75
Ames, James M., trustee, $87
Ames, George, $33.90
Alexander, A.A., $38.83
Farrell, Lewis, $36
Fisk, Dr. Charles L., $53
Fitzgerald, P.M., $60
Fitzgerald, John, $70
Field, F.E., $31
Farnsworth & Persons, $30
Field, Albert A., $29
Field, Charles R., $183
Field, & Hall, $29
Forbes, William A., $119
Fuller, Mrs. H.M., $36
Frary, George W. $115
Forbes & Foster, $6
Fellows, M.S., $78
Felton, J.P., $99
Field, Mrs. A.R., $75
First National Bank, $174 (had Nirst)
Franklin County National Bank, $362
Grennell, George, $212 (also seen as Grinnell)
Graves, John J., $45
Graves, Luther L., $35
Graves, Mrs. J.M., $31
Graves, Alonzo, $89
Gascouigne, J.F., $49
Griswold, W., estate, $40
Griswold, Duloie, g’d’n, $108
Griswold J.F., $83
Gunn, Levi J., $66
Greenfield Tool Co., $420
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 19, 1875
Sunderland
In N.A. Smith's home lot may be seen a sight which is a rare one for these parts. Half an acre or more of onions in full blossom, which promises well for a good harvest of seed.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 19, 1875
Leverett
Dr. N.G. Trow of Sunderland and Dr. David Rice of Leverett removed, last week, from the back of Mrs. Bramri of Leverett, a large fibro-cartilaginous tumor, weighing nearly a pound. It was a very bad tumor, giving the woman great trouble, and would have eventually destroyed her life. She is doing well. On the same day, the same surgeons removed a diseased toe from the foot of Alden Wood, that had become diseased by the crushing of said toe by the foot of a horse.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 12, 1875
Probate Court Record
Greenfield, July 6, 1875. Administration granted - on estate of Dexter Drake, late of Buckland, Almon Howes of Ashfield, Adm’r.; Anna Fisk, Shelburne, Daniel Fisk of Shelburne Adm’r.; Laura E. gleason,Charlemont, Elza R. Gleason, Adm’r.; Eli T. Greene, Shelburne, Mary E. Greene and Rawson S. Streeter of Shelburne, Adm’rs.; Walter Guilford, Conway, D.T. Vining, Adm’r. with will annexed; Mary Glazier, Leverett, Loana Huse of Leverett, Adm’r.; Sarah H. Putnam, Greenfield, W.C. Bryant, Adm’r.; Mary P. Rugg, Montague, Joseph Humphrey of Keene, N.H., Adm’r.; Samuel R. Smith, Coleraine, Joseph B. Clark of Coleraine, Adm’r.; Maria Scott of Whately, Adm’r.; Charles Smith, Deerfield, Dwight Smith, Adm’r.
Wills proved - of Esther Dickinson, late of Deerfield, Virgil M. Howard of Athol, Ex’r.; Angeline S. Farnsworth, Charlemont, Jonas K. Patch of Shelburne, Ex’r.; Charles J. Sherwood, Leverett, Adaline L. Sherwood and Charles B. Sherwood of Leverett, Ex’r.
Guardians appointed - Lydia E. Damon of Ashfield over her own minor children of Ashfield; O.F. Hale of Gill over Achsah Hayden of Gill; Frederick G. Howes of Ashfield over his own minor children.
Accounts rendered - on estates of Alice L. Aldrich of Conway; Perry Bryant’s heirs of New Salem; Ebenezer Morton of Deerfield; Elizabeth Meyers of Shelburne; Andrew Wissman of Shelburne; John N. Sweet of Shelburne; E.E. Robinson of Sunderland, Ex’rs. private account.
License granted to sell real estate - of Jason Phinney of Orange. Widows’ allowance - Made in estates of Moses M. Huse, Leverett, $108; Baron Stow, Conway, $400.
Inventories filed - In estates of Harriet M. Brown, Greenfield, $1983; Dr. David Bradford, Montague, $3231; Laurana B. Bradford, Montague, $11,219; Lucius H. Graves, Charlemont, $213; Polly C. Howes, Ashfield, $3436; Charles Pelton, Shelburne, $2702; Calvin T. Swan, Northfield, $2003; Charles J. Sherwood, Leverett, $3427; Amasa Taylor, New Salem, $4060; Caroline Williams, Deerfield, $5864.
Affidavits filed - in estates of Dr. David Bradford, Montague; Laurania [i.e. Laurana B. Bradford], Montague; Mary E. Griffin, Orange; Lyman Rice, Charlemont; Calvin T. Swan, Northfield; Amasa Taylor, New Salem.
Estate of E.E. Robinson, late of Sunderland, rendered insolvent - L. Merriam, G.D. Williams, L.W. Fairchild, commissioners.
Levi N. Chamberlin of Orange adopted Mary Moore - name changed to Bertha Augusta Chamberlin. Noah Rankin of Erving was removed as Administrator of the estate of Susan Gould, late of Erving. Commissioner’s report in estate of Stephen Shepardson filed June 11th. Next Probate Court at Greenfield on the first Tues. of August.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 12, 1875
Sunderland
John F. Hunt, son of Mrs. Hattie Hunt, had his face and hands severely burned by a can of powder taking fire under his arm Tues. Fears are entertained that he will not recover his sight.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 12, 1875
Sunderland
There have been great exertions on the part of the parish committee and the inhabitants generally, for the past few years, to prevent the ringing of the church bells on the night preceding teh Fourth of July. On sun. eve., having secured the church from the possibility of entrance, they retired to rest, but the boys baffled all their precautions by climbing to the belfry. One narrowly escaped a fall from the top by clutching the lightning rod just as he reached the end of the roof.
They drew up a rope and threw it to their companions below and then descended. At the sound of the bell one of the parish committee was aroused, and securing the assistance of Constable Davis, attempted to disperse the crowd, when quite a skirmish ensued. Davis received a severe cut upon the face and some bruises, but they succeeded in securing the bell rope and preventing further disturbance. The boys may hear from them again, as their names are known.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 12, 1875
Sunderland
John Douglass, by an accidental discharge of a pistol which he was holding Sun. eve., received the contents in the hollow of his left hand; the ball passed through his wrist and lodged in the arm. The physicians have not yet been able to find the ball.
- Sun, Feb 22, 2009
