Berkshire County, Massachusetts GenWeb Project

TOWN OF CHESHIRE, BERKSHIRE COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS

GAZETTEER OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY, MASS.
1725-1885

Town of Cheshire

Compiled and Published by Hamilton Child, 1885
Transcribed by Dawn Marie Newton Quinn, 2002


CHESHIRE lies in the northern-central part of the county, in lat. 42(o) 33' and long. 39o) 51', bounded north by Adams and New Ashford, east by Savoy, Windsor and Dalton, south by Windsor, Dalton and Lanesboro and west by Lanesboro and New Ashford. It has an area of about 18,000 acres, enclosed within an outline more irregular than that of any other town in the county, its boundary line having twenty-five angles-obtuse right, and acute, all degrees. It is said that in laying out the town, the western line was drawn with reference to the religious views of the Presbyterians in Lanesboro, thus giving that boundary much the appearance of a rail fence. The town was incorporated March 14, 1793, being made up from several minor tracts, as follows: What is now the northeastern part of the town was a tract called New Providence, about 1,400 rods in length from east to west, and 600 in width from north to south, which was originally a grant to Colonel Joab Stafford, Joseph Bennett, and Governor Cook, of Rhode Island, and was named in honor of Providence. With this grant was taken a tract of about 600 by 600 rods from Windsor, a tract 1,400 rods in length and averaging 800 in width from Lanesboro, and a tract about 400 by 400 rods from New Ashford, forming them all into a new township by the name of Cheshire. February 26, 1794, however, a small part of the territory taken from Windsor was re-annexed to that town, and February 6, 1798, another small tract was taken from New Ashford.

The surface of the town is sufficiently diversified by hill and mountain to form a pleasing landscape, yet it is not so broken but that it is, in general, good farming and grazing land. Hoosac river flows a northerly course through a rich and fertile valley in the central part of the town. On either side of this valley rise gentle hill slopes and mountain crests, affording many excellent dairy farms, for which the town has many years been justly celebrated. Rounds Rocks, one of these heights, was chosen as a station during the trigonometrical survey of the State a few years ago. Among the Hoosac's affluents, which come dancing down from higher lands, are Dry brook, South brook and West brook, affording some excellent mill-sites, and also bringing constant enrichments to the arable soil of the valley. Through this valley, also passes the Pittsfield & Adams railroad.

The geological formation is made up of limestone, quartz and gneiss rocks. In the eastern part are found bods of serpentine, and iron ore in the central part. The iron manufacture will be spoken of later, and the celebrated quartz glass sand produced has already been mentioned, on page 30.

In 1880 Cheshire had a population of 1,537. In 1883 the town employed two male and nine female teachers, to whom was paid an aggregate monthly salary of $47.28 to males and $23.75 to females. There were 229 school children in the town, while the entire amount raised during the year for school purposes was $2,800.00.

CHESHIRE, a post village and station on the Pittsfield and Adams railroad, is a bright, enterprising town, lying in the central part of the township on the Hoosac river. It has four churches, five stores, one hotel, school-house, cheese factory, saw-mill and barrel-stock factory, grist-mill, iron furnace, works of the Berkshire Glass Sand Co., one of the Cheshire White Quartz Sand Co., a carpenter shop, wheelwright shop, two blacksmith shops, cider-mill and about 1,000 inhabitants.

CHESHIRE HARBOR, a hamlet and station on the Pittsfield and Adams railroad, is located in the extreme northern part of the town, on Hoosac river.

The Cheshire Water Co. was organized in 1876, for the purpose of supplying the village with water. This company, which is under the control of a president and board of directors, has a large reservoir, rendering an excellent water supply to the village. J.D. Northup is president and J.G. Northup, treasurer.

H.C. Bowen & Son's grist-mill, located at Cheshire, was originally built as a tannery, by Alanson P. Dean, in 1845, and was used for this purpose until 1874. It came into the possession of the present firm in 1881, who manufacture about 500 barrels of flour per annum.

Leonard B. Wood's steam cider-mill located at Cheshire, was built by Mr. Wood in 1876. He manufactures about 400 barrels of cider per annum.

The Berkshire Glass Sand Co., whose works are located at Cheshire, was organized as a stock company in 1879. They have three mills for pulverizing the sand, and ship about 10,000 tons of sand per annum. F.F. Petitcler is superintendent.

The Cheshire White Quartz Sand Co., was organized in 1876, with a capital stock of $6,000.00, J.B. Dean, president, and George Z. Dean, treasurer. They have two mills with capacity for manufacturing 3,000 tons of sand per year, which is used in the manufacture of glass. Their process is to crush the rock, without washing.

The Richmond Iron Co.-This company was originally organized as early as 1829, though it was not incorporated until 1842. Originally the company engaged in smelting only at the Richmond furnace, to which was added at the time of incorporation, the VanDeusenville furnace, and in 1863 was added the Cheshire furnace. All of these have since been rebuilt, enlarged and improved, so that the company now produces about 12,000 tons of iron per annum, giving employment to 700 hands. William H. Barnum, of Lime Rock, Conn., is president; George Church, of Great Barrington, treasurer; and R.A. Burget, of this town, agent.

The John Leland Cheese Factory, at Cheshire, was built in 1870, by the Cheshire Cheese Factory Association. It turns out about 110,000 pounds of cheese per annum, with J.D. Northup, superintendent.

Henry Howes & Sons broom factory, located at Cheshire, turns out 200 dozen brooms per yer.

Charles Belair's carriage shop, located at Cheshire, was built by Francis L. Jinks, about 1871, and was purchased by Mr. Belair in 1881, who manufactures new work and does a general repair business.

A.S. Farnum & Bro's lime kilns, located on road 25, were established in 1875. They give employment to twenty men, and manufacture 30,000 barrels of lime per year.

Warren B. Dean's saw and stave-mill.-This business was established by J.B. & Alanson P. Dean, in 1855, who conducted it about six years, when George Martin bought out A.P. Dean's interest. The mill was burned in 1871, and was rebuilt by Dean & Martin, in 1872. In 1881 Mr. Martin retired, and in 1883 Mr. Dean sold out to his son, the present proprietor. He employs fifty men and manufactures about 1,000,000 feet of lumber per annum.

Enos Adams & Co.'s quartz sand mill, located at the corner of roads 15 and 19, was built in 1862, for manufacturing sand for sand-paper and for polishing and cutting purposes. They employ four men and manufacture 300 tons of sand per annum.

The Greylock Cheese Factory, located on road 13, was built by A.J. Bucklin, S.W. Lincoln, S.L. Lincoln and W.F. Card, in 1863, the first cheese factory built in Berkshire county. In 1876 the factory was taken by a stock company, organized at that time, and is now under the management of Henry F. Wood. It turns out about 105,000 pounds of cheese per annum.

The Cheshire Harbor Warp Mill, located at Cheshire Harbor, was originally built by Elisha Jenks, being then used as a cotton and grist-mill combined. In 1881 it was taken by the present proprietor, John S. Adams, who employs about forty-two hands. The mill has 5,000 spindles and turns out about 5,500 pounds of warp per week, under the supervision of George I. Rider.

The settlement of the town was commenced in 1767, the earlist and principal settlers being Joseph Bennett, Col. Joab Stafford, and John Buckland, from Coventry, R.I.; John Lippit from Scituate, R.I.; Maj. Samuel Lowe, Simon Smith, Amos Smith, Stephen Carpenter, Shubael Willmarth and John Willmarth, from Providence, R.I.; Jonathon Richardson from Newton; Isaac Warren, from Framingham; Charles Saben, from Killingly, Conn.; and John Wells, all of whom located here previous to 1770. The first town meeting was held in April, following the incorporation, when James Barker was chosen town clerk. Daniel Brown was the first representative to the general court. The first church, Baptist, was organized in 1769, in the New Providence grant.

J.G. Holland, in his History of Western Massachusetts, speaks of the political history of Cheshire as follows:-

�In 1813, Cheshire was, from its firm adherence to Madison's administration, made a rendezvous for British prisoners. In 1793, John Hancock had ninety-nine votes for governor, and all others but three. From that day to 1843, a period of fifty years, the people were nearly unanimous in their support of Democratic principles, in the popular understanding of that term. Jefferson was a great favorite with the people of Cheshire, and to show their regard to him, and their approval of his policy, they made for him a mammoth cheese, which was sent to Washington, and there January 1, 1802, presented to him, by Rev. John Leland, as a New Year's gift. The mode of its manufacture was the following: On a given day, the dairy women of the town sent their curds to one place; but the quantity thus collected was too great to be pressed at once, even in a cider mill, so that three additional cheeses were made, weighing seventy pounds each. The big cheese weighed 1,450 pounds.�

Capt. Daniel Brown, who at one time owned all the land which the village of Cheshire now occupies, came to Cheshire, from Warwick, R.I., about the year 1767, locating in the eastern part of the town, where he reared a family of eight children, none of whom survive. He died in 1840, in his ninety-fourth year. The hotel which now stands in Cheshire was finished by him in 1797. He was one of the leading men in public affaires, and was a tone time a member of the legislature. He served in the war of the Revolution, and was present at the battle of Bennington. His son Darius, who was born in this town, lived here until his death, which occurred in 1835. He reared one son, Daniel B., born in 1806, who has been engaged in the lumber business and in farming. He has run a saw-mill in Cheshire for sixty years, and now resides on road 4.

John Waterman, was born in Coventry, R.I., May 18, 1755. The first and second years of the Revolution he was a sailor or privateersman, and annoying the commerce of Great Britain. He came to Cheshire in the latter part of 1776, or beginning of 1777. His home for two years was in the family of Capt. Daniel Brown, being there while the Captain was absent in command of his company, at the battle of Bennington, August 16, 1777. He was enrolled as a �minute man,� but we cannot say that he did service in the war after leaving Rhode Island. He married Anna Hall, a native of Stafford, Conn., about 1780, and his eight children were born in Cheshire. In 1803 he removed to his farm adjoining the village of North Adams. The late Col. Wm. Watertown, of Williamstown, was the oldest of his five sons. He was born April 6, 1784, at Stafford Hill in Cheshire, in a house still standing on the southern slope of said hill. John Waterman, the subject of this sketch, had very limited education in youth, but became one of the best informed men of his time. He was fortunate in securing the friendship and society of Dr. William Towner, who practiced medicine in Cheshire before removal to Williamstown. Elder John Leland was another associate and life-long friend. He was a delegate from Adams to the State convention of 1820, for amending the constitution of Massachusetts, and also had been a member of the legislature previous to that date. He was social, kind to the poor and unfortunate. He removed to Williamstown in 1829, and died May 28, 1830, at the age of seventy-five years and ten days.

Jonathon Richardson, born December 30, 1753, removed to Cheshire from Newton, Mass, in 1767, locating in the eastern part of the town, though afterwards removing to road 20, where he resided until his death, in 1840, at the age of eighty-six. In 1779 he married Esther Eaton, and reared a family. He was largely engaged in settling estates, and held many offices of trust. His son Ira was born in Cheshire, December 18, 1794, and at the age of sixteen entered a store in Adams, with his brother Joel, where he remained until 1826, when he returned to Cheshire, located on the homestead, on road 20, and resided there until his death, August 21, 1860, at the age of sixty-five. He married Anna Jenks, by whom he had four children, three of whom, Henry W., of Pittsfield, Esther residing in this town, and Mrs. Harriet A. Wilkinson of Binghampton, N.Y. survive.

John Wells came to Cheshire, from Rhode Island, about 1769, and located on road 18, though removing about 1785 to the farm where his grandson, John B. Wells, now resides. He reared a family of four children, none surviving, and died about the year 1812. His son John, who was quite young when he came to this town, reared a family of four children, and occupied the homestead until his death, in 1853. John B., son of John Jr., and the only survivor of the family, resides on the homestead. He has reared a family of six children being the sixth generation to live upon the old homestead. The house is one of the first three framed houses built in Cheshire, of which only two are standing.

Voluntine Barven moved to Cheshire from Swanzey, Massachusetts, in 1776, and located in the eastern part of the town, on the farm now owned by Hulbert Jacques. He reared a large family, one or two of whom served in the Revolution. He resided on the farm until his death. His son Nathan reared a family and resided on the homestead for many years, but finally removed to the southern part of the town, where the Farnum brothers now reside. A daughter, Mrs. Calvin J. Reynolds, resides in Cheshire.

Asahel Potter, a blacksmith, came to Cheshire, from Rhode Island, about 1770, and located in the eastern part of the town. He reared five children, none surviving, and died in 1848. His oldest son, Aden, went to New York when a young man and died in Fishkill, in 1832. Aden's daughter, Mrs. George W. Fisher, resides in town.

Stephen Northrup removed to Cheshire, from Danbury, Conn., sometime previous to the Revolution, location gin the western part of the town, reared a large family, and died in 1836, at the age of ninety-one. He served in the war of the Revolution, and was at the battle of Bennington. Stephen, Jr., who was born in Cheshire, in 1781, and resided here until his death, in 1861, reared a family of seven children, only one of whom, Jared D., residing on Depot street, survives. Stephen Jr., held several town offices, and served one term in the legislature. His son Jared D., has three children, Stephen L., of Lanesboro, Leroy J., residing in this town, and Mrs. A.M. Howe, of the Sandwich Islands. Jared is one of the directors of the Water Company.

Edmund Jenks, from Smithfield, R.I., settled in Adams in 1778, locating in the southern part of the town, upon the farm now owned by Charles Jenks. He and his three sons, Charles, Samuel and Thomas carried on a grist-mill for many years where the paper-mill of L.L. Brown & Co. now stands. Edmund subsequently removed to this town, and died here in 1818. His son Charles succeeded to the home farm here where his son Charles now lives, and died in 1844. Three of his thirteen children are now living, viz: Charles, Mrs. Anna Richardson, and Dennison R. Henry, son of Charles and brother of the present Charles, was a surveyor and died here in 1874. Two of his daughters and one son, Scott, now reside here.

Nathan Mason came to Cheshire, from Rehoboth, Mass, sometime previous to the Revolution, location about two and a half miles northwest of the village.  Sometime previous to his death he went to Adams, to reside with his son, where he died, at the age of eighty-six.  He was a Revolutionary soldier and was at the battle of Bennington.  His son, Nathan, who was a child when he came here with his father, spent most of his life in Adams, dying there in 1850.  He reared a family of seven children, four of whom, Ethan A., of California, Ira N., a physician in Cheshire, Maria D., also of this town, and one, a minister in Malden, Mass., survive.

Nathan Wood removed to Cheshire from Rehoboth, Mass., some time previous to the Revolutionary war, and reared a family, two sons of whom, Nathan and Daniel, served in the Revolution and were at the battle of Bennington. Daniel located on the farm where Mrs. Daniel Wood now resides, and reared a family, one of whom, Mrs. Laura Northrop, is living. He died in 1820. Elisha, son of Daniel, was born on the homestead, where he resided until his death, in 1850. Daniel, son of Elisha, was also born on the homestead, where he resided until his death, in 1881. Several of his children reside in town, whose children are the sixth generation to make their home here. Nathan, brother of Daniel Wood, located on the farm adjoining Daniel, and reared a family of sixteen children, fourteen living to maturity, but only one of whom, Mrs. Orisa A. Ingalls, survives. Nathan died about 1842. Mason, son of Nathan, was born in town, where he resided until his death in 1858. Two of his grandchildren, Mrs. Nancy L. Leonard and Henry F. Wood, survive.

John Bennett, from Warwick,, R.I., immigrated to Cheshire about the time of the breaking out of the Revolution, locating on road 18, upon the farm now owned by Amy E. Brown. He reared a family of nine children, none of whom survive, and died about 1856, at the age of ninety-four years and five months. His son Andrew, born here in 1795, died in 1860. He reared a family of six children, three of whom, Luther M., Mrs. Amy E. Brown, and William P., who resides on road 26, survive, all residing in Cheshire. Andrew represented his district in the State legislature and held other offices of trust.

Rev. Nathan Mason, a Baptist clergyman, from Rehoboth, who came here at an early day, lived here many years and died in Montreal, while on a visit there.  His son Hezekiah came to Cheshire about the year 1776, where he lived till within about three years of his death, which occurred in Stephentown, N.Y., in 1825, at the age of seventy-two years.  He reared a family of eleven children, all of who survive him.  But three of the family remained in this vicinity, nearly all of them removing to New York, Pennsylvania, and the West.  One daughter, Sally, married Samuel Martin, and died in this town.  Her son, Orrin, now resides here.

Israel Cole came to Cheshire, from Swanzey, Mass., about the time of the battle of Bennington, locating about two miles west of the village, reared eight children, and died in Adams, about 1831, at the age of ninety-five. His oldest son, James, always resided in Cheshire, where he died at the age of eighty-eight. Another son, Jonathan, who came here with his father at the age of eight years, went to Saratoga county, N.Y., when a young man, removing from there to Herkimer county, where he died in 1848. He reared a family of eight children. His son Lansing is now a resident of the town. Silas Cole, grandson of Jonathon, was born in Cheshire, lived for many years on the farm now owned by L.A. Cole, and died in 1878. A son, M.L. Cole, now resides on road 13 corner 12.

Stephen Whipple, who came to Cheshire from Providence, R.I., in 1776, located in the southern part of the town, on the farm now occupied by Martin Ingalls, residing here until his death. He had born to him twelve children, all of whom lived to maturity, and nearly all whom attained an advanced age. Stephen was at the battle of Bennington. One son, Samuel, who was ten years of age when he came to this town, resided here until his death, in 1853, at the age of eighty-six. He reared a family of ten children, four of whom, D.C., wife of Aaron Richardson, of Attica, N.Y., Harvey, of Canastota, N.Y., James M., of Windsor, and Samuel P., of Cheshire, survive.

Jesse Jenks, one of the early settlers of Cheshire, came from Smithfield, R.I., locating in the eastern part of the town, where he cleared a farm. He reared a large family, and died about 1827. His son Jesse, who came here with his father, reared a family of nine children, of whom one, Jesse A., survives, and resided in Cheshire until his death, in 1853. Havrille was born in this town and spent his life here in Adams. He died in 1853. Of his family of eight children, one daughter and seven sons, all of the sons survive. One, Towner, served in the late war and was wounded at the battle of Gettysburgh. Another son, Marquis D., resides on road 8. Elisha Jenks, born in Cheshire in 1801, was a print cloth manufacturer at Cheshire Harbor for over forty years, acquiring a large fortune; and was also largely engaged in farming. He was twice married, but reared no family, dying in 1871. His widow, Sarah A., survives him, a resident of this town.

Samuel Lowe, who resided on the farm now owned by M.V.B. Jenks, was one of the early settlers. Mr. Lowe was a slave-holder, owning four slaves at the breaking out of the Revolution. He freed two, William and Mary Diamond, keeping the other two, Alhoy and Mary, their children, whom he carried to New York. �Aunt Mary� remained in Cheshire attaining the great age of 105 years.

Daniel Wood came to Cheshire from Rhode Island, about 1780, and settled in the northern part of the town, living there till his death, in 1820. He had a large family, only one daughter, Mrs. Laura Northup, of Cheshire, aged ninety-four, now living. His son, Elisha, was born in Cheshire, had eight children, five still living, and three in this county. Elisha was selectman. His son Luther D., lives in Lanesboro on road 8, and has carried on the cheese factory ten years.

Silas Partridge came to Cheshire at an early date. His father, Josiah Partridge, was in the battle of Bennington. Silas left Cheshire for Adams and afterwards went to Savoy and Connecticut, where he died. His son, Joseph S., was born in Cheshire, but followed his father and died in Connecticut. His son Truman, born in Savoy, went to Lanesboro, where he now lives on road 22.

Samuel Wolcott, a native of Goshen, Conn., immigrated to Cheshire about 1778, and located in the southern part of the town. He was with Ethan Allen at the capture of Ticonderoga. He died of small-pox. His son Moses, who came to Cheshire with his father, reared a family of six children, none of whom survive. Moses was a soldier in the Revolution, and was in a number of severe battles. He died in 1837. His son Russell B., born here in 1793, died in 1855. He was a farmer, and at one time owned over 1,400 acres of land. Only one of his four children, John C., a lawyer, of this town, survives.

Samuel Ingalls came to Cheshire, from Rehoboth, Mass., in 1786, and located on the farm where David D. Ingalls now resides, where he died in 1795. He was a man of gigantic stature and great physical strength. He is said to have carried seven and a half bushels of corn at a time, up a flight of stairs. Samuel, his son, came to this town with his father, but went to Cooperstown, N.Y., about 1796, and died in 1827. Stephen, son of Stephen Jr., came from Cooperstown to Cheshire, located on the farm where his son, David D., now resides, and reared fifteen children, twelve of whom lived to maturity, and nine are now living, their average age being seventy years, and eigth of whom reside in Berkshire county. One son, Samuel, was engaged in a manufacturing business in Adams, and a son of Samuel is now cashier of the Berkshire National Bank of North Adams.

Jonathon Farnum immigrated to Cheshire from Uxbridge, Mass., about 1796, and located on Stafford Hill, where he lived until his death, in 1834, rearing a family of nine children. His son, Warren, was born in 1792, and made his home here until his death, in 1876. His wife, Hannah, now resides in Cheshire.

Pardon Lincoln, from Smithfield, R.I., came to Cheshire about 1795, locating upon a farm in the eastern part of the town. He reared a family of five children, four of whom, Seneca L., Mrs. Alden Jenks, Shubael W., and Mrs. Lucinda Mirick, of Savoy, survive. He was a deacon of the Baptist church and its last clerk; he was also captain of the militia. He died in 1870, at the age of seventy-five years.

Edward Martin immigrated to Cheshire, from Barrington, R.I., in 1791, moving his family and goods upon a sled, drawn by two yoke of oxen. He located upon a farm he had purchased the year previous, and which is now owned by his grandson, Orrin. Edward was thrice married and reared a family of eight children, none of whom survive. Later, he removed to the farm now owned by L.A. Cole, where he died in 1830. Samuel, son of Edward Martin, who was six years of age when he came here with his father, remained upon the old homestead, reared a family of five children, only one, Orrin, now living, and died in 1854, at the age of sixty-nine.

Zebedee Dean, who came to Cheshire in 1798 from Taunton, Mass., was a blacksmith by trade and a farmer.  He had born to him three sons, Albert G., Dallas J., and J.B. Zebedee died in Cheshire in 1868.  His son Albert G., died at the age of forty.  Dallas J. was for many years a merchant in Adams.  J.B., who has always resided in town, commenced the mercantile business in 1840, in which he continued until 1883, his son George Z., being his partner for the last twenty years and is now his successor.  He has also been engaged in the lumber business and established the business now carried on by his son, Warren B.

Daniel W. Baxter, a shoemaker, came to Cheshire from Canada, about 1809, locating about half a mile west of Cheshire village. He reared a large family of children, three of whom survive, one son, William, residing on road 26. He died here in 1859.

Ichabod Loomis, from Windsor, Conn., came to Cheshire in 1810. He was a clothier by trade, in which business he was engaged in Cheshire for many years. He reared a family of three children, only one of whom, Luther B., is now living. He died in this town, in 1849. Luther B. was born in Cheshire in 1812, and resides on Main street. He succeeded his father in the clothing business.

Daniel Chapman was one of the early settlers in Great Barrington, coming there some time previous to the Revolution. He was taken prisoner at New London and kept in captivity for several years, returning, after his release, to Great Barrington, where he remained a few years, removed from thence to Windsor, where he remained several years, coming about 1819, to Cheshire, where he died about the year 1830. Daniel, Jr., born in Groton, Conn., in 1769, removing with his father, located in Cheshire, and reared a family of eight children, only one, Mason Chapman, of this town is now living. Daniel, Jr., died in 1857, at the age of eighty-eight.

James Brown, son of Caleb and Amy Brown, who came to Cheshire, from Rhode Island, lived here many years, reared a family, and died in 1854 or 55. His son, Russell C. Brown, born in this town in 1813, engaged in the mercantile business for many years, being also identified with the sand business. He was the postmaster for many years. A son, Fred C., now resides in town. Russell, another son of Caleb, was a prominent manufacturer at Adams, where he took an active part in public affairs.

George W. Fisher came to Cheshire, from Franklin, Mass., in 1835, and resided for some time with his sister, in the eastern part of the town, but settling in 1854, upon the farm where he now resides. He has been a selectman since 1858, with the exception of two years. During the war he was provost marshall for the town, also recruiting officer, and in 1875 was census enumerator.

Felix F. Petitcler, born in Dampiere, France, in 1839, emigrated to America with his mother when but six years of age. In 1850 he came to Cheshire and entered the employ of L.H. Stevens, for whom he worked until the autumn of 1853, when he entered the employ of the Lanesboro Iron Company. He is said to have gone to New York in search of workmen for the iron company when but a lad of ten years. He has been engaged in the lumber business and in farming, besides other pursuits, and is now superintendent of the Berkshire Glass Sand Co.'s works. He married a daughter of Dr. Cole.

Phineas Lamphire removed from Tolland, Conn., to Lanesboro, at an early day, coming some time before the Revolution. He reared a family of five children. One son, Amos, born in Lanesboro, in 1777, resided there until his death, in 1857. Amos, reared a family of eight children, only one of whom, Chester K., now survive. Chester was born in Lanesboro in 1807, where he resided until about thirty years of age, after which he removed to Lee, remaining there until 1880, when he located in Cheshire, where he now resides.

Joseph Hathaway came to Savoy, from New Bedford, Mass., about the time of the Revolution, living there until his death. He had a numerous family, one son of whom, Jesse, was born in Savoy, but removed to Adams, where he resided many years, dying in Savoy. He reared a family of twelve children, six of whom survive, one son John W., residing on road 16, in Cheshire.

Rev. Edmund Foster was pastor of the Unitarian church in Littleton, Middlesex county, Mass., in the year 1770. He led his parishioners in the conflicts at Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill, and became known as the �fighting parson.� He was the father of thirteen children, the oldest of whom was Edmund, who enlisted in the United States army and was appointed as ensign by Thomas Jefferson, president of the Untied States, in the ninth regiment of rifleman, to rank as such from the 12th day of December, 1808. His commission was countersigned by John Smith, acting secretary of war. On the 6th of July, 1812, he was appointed first lieutenant in the ninth regiment of infantry, under Col. Winfield Scott, afterward made lieutenant general of the Untied States army. This commisson was granted by James Madison, president of the United States, William Eustiss, secretary of war. He was appointed a captain in the same regiment of the 13th of March, 1813 by James Madison, president, William H. Crawford, secretary of war. He was in the battles of Brownville, Fort Erie, Lundy Lane and others during the war. Had the command for a time of the cantonment at Pittsfield, and at the end of the war was honorably discharged. His next younger brother, William, was first lieutenant in the same company and his brother Charles, second lieutenant in the same company. They served through the war and were honorably discharged at the same time. His commissions on parchment, signed by Jefferson and Madison, are now in the possession of E.D. Foster, his oldest son, who resides in Cheshire. His youngest son, the late Daniel B. Foster, was first lieutenant in company C, 49th regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, and served in the war of the rebellion.

Rev. John Leland, for many years pastor of the Baptist church, was a man of mark in his time. He took an active interest in all the public affairs of the town. He was a member of the legislature in 1811, and labored powerfully against the provisions of the 3d article of the Bill of Rights, contending that legislatures had no power to bind the consciences of men. He was a ready orator, as well as a writer, and composed his own epitaph, as follows:-

HERE LIES THE BODY
OF
JOHN LELAND
WHO LABORED 68 YEARS TO PROMOTE PIETY,
AND VINDICATE THE CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS RIGHTS
OF ALL MEN.


The Baptist Church was organized by Rufus Mason and others, May 30, 1769, having about seventy members. The first pastor, Rev. Peter Werden, held the office from 1770 until his death, February 21, 1808. Their first church building was erected in 1794, and did service until 1849, when the present building was erected. It will seat 300 persons and is valued, including grounds, at $8,000.00, its original cost being $5,000.00.

The Methodist Episcopal church of Cheshire was organized by Rev. John Cadwell, with twelve members, in February , 1844, Rev. John F. Crowl being installed as first pastor. Their church building, which will comfortably accommodate 200 persons, was erected in 1848-49. It is valued, including grounds, at $3,000.00. The society now has fifty-five members, with Rev. � Hobbs, pastor.

GAZETTEER OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY, MASS. 1725-1885; Compiled and Published by HAMILTON CHILD; Permanent Office; Syracuse, N.Y., January, 1885; pages 112-123

I kept punctuation and grammar the same, even if it does not follow our rules today. This is how it is recorded in the book.

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