(Source: Nason, Elias, 1811-1887. A gazetteer of the state of Massachusetts : with numerous illustrations on wood and steel / by Elias Nason. -- Boston : B.B. Russell, 1874. -- p. 459-460)is of a triangular form, occupying a central position in Franklin County, and containing four postal villages (Shelburne Centre, Shelburne Falls, East Shelburne, and Bardwell's Ferry) and 1,582 inhabitants. It lies, by the Troy and Greenfield Railroad, 113 miles north-west of Boston; and has Coleraine on the north, Greenfield and Deerfield on the east, the latter on the south, Conway and Buckland (from both of which it is separated by the Deerfield River) on the south-west, and Charlemont (for a small distance) on the west. The geological structure is calciferous mica-schist and calcareous gneiss.
Shelburne
The land is rugged and mountainous, rising into the bold eminences of Shingle Hill at the south, Bald Mountain at the west, Greenfield Mountain on the east, and East Hill north of the central village. Hudson Brook, Allen's Brook, and Smead's Brook, all affluents of Green River, flow from the highlands on the east; while Dragon and Sluice Brooks flow southerly into the Deerfield River, which winds gracefully through the valley on the south-western border of the town. North River enters the Deerfield near its bend, between this place and Charlemont. At Shelburne Falls, a little below, the Deerfield River plunges over a precipice more than forty feet in depth, forming one of the most beautiful cataracts in the State. To this water-power the flourishing village of Shelburne Falls--partly in Buckland, and partly in Shelburne--owes its growth. At this place are the large establishments of Lamson and Goodnow, for the manufacture of cutlery; of H. S. Shepardson and Company, for the manufacture of bits and gimlets; and of the Lock Company, for the manufacture of locks. The village makes a fine appearance with its dwellings manufactories, schools, and churches in the narrow valley and upon the sloping hillsides. The soil of Shelburne, though hard to till, is moist and strong. The rock-maple thrives in it; and as many as 18,680 pounds of sugar have been made here in a year. The number of farms is 101; and of sheep, 799. The yearly produce of butter has amounted to $10,268.80. Shelburne has one national and one savings bank; the Arms Library, free to the public; an academy, a high school, and twelve other schools; a Post of the G. A. R.; an Masonic and an Odd-Fellows' Lodge; an excellent hotel, the Shelburne-Falls House; and four churches, of which the pastors are the Revs. A. F. Marsh, C.T. (Shelburne); Edward E. Lamb, C.T. (Shelburne Falls); B. V. Stevenson, Universalist (Shelburne Falls); D. W. Wilcox, Baptist, also at Shelburne Falls.
The town is accommodated by the Troy and Greenfield Railroad, which follows the course of the Deerfield River from Deerfield to the Hoosac Tunnel. It has erected a handsome monument in honor of the men it lost in the late war. The number of dwelling-houses is 256; of voters, 373. The valuation is $373,498; and the tax-rate, $1.35 per $100.
Shelburne was originally called "Deerfield North-west." It was named in honor of William Fitz-Maurice, second Earl of Shelburne; and was incorporated June 21, 1768. The first church was organized in 1770; and the Rev. Robert Hubbard, the first minister, was ordained over it Oct. 20, 1773. The Rev. PLINY FISK, a distinguished missionary and scholar was born here June 24, 1792; and died in Beirout Syria, Oct. 23, 1825.
Holdings: Allen County Public Library |
Holdings: LDS Family History Library (in paper and on microfilm, LDS FHL microfilm number 0897354 item 6) |
Part title, etc. | Dates | LDS FHL microfilm number |
---|---|---|
Church records, v. 1-2 | 1772-1828 | 0886746 |
Church records, v. 3 | 1828-1870 | 0859999 |
Holdings: LDS Family History Library (for LDS FHL microfilm numbers, see the table above) |
Holdings: New York Public Library (New York, N.Y.) |
Holdings: Greenfield Community College Library; Historic Deerfield Library; New England Historic Genealogical Society Library |
Holdings: Greenfield Community College Library |
Holdings: Harvard University Library (Cambridge, Mass.) |
Holdings: Allen County Public Library; Historic Deerfield Library; New England Historic Genealogical Society Library; University of Massachusetts Amherst Library |
Holdings: Allen County Public Library; Historic Deerfield Library; LDS Family History Library; University of Massachusetts Amherst Library |
Holdings: Massachusetts State Library (Boston, Mass.) |
Holdings: Greenfield Community College Library |
Holdings: Massachusetts State Library (Boston, Mass.) |
Holdings: LDS Family History Library (LDS FHL microfilm number 0886748 item 2) |
Holdings: LDS Family History Library (LDS FHL microfilm number 0886786) |
Part title, etc. | Dates | LDS FHL microfilm number |
---|---|---|
Town records, v. 1 | 1768-ca. 1829 | 0886748 item 3-4 |
Town records, v. 2 | 1796-1849 | 0886749 |
Holdings: LDS Family History Library (for LDS FHL microfilm numbers, see the table above) |
Holdings: LDS Family History Library (LDS FHL microfilm number 0886748 item 1) |
Holdings: LDS Family History Library (LDS FHL microfilm number 0886747 item 2) |
Holdings: No holdings information available |
Holdings: LDS Family History Library (LDS FHL microfilm number 0886747 item 1) |
Part title, etc. | Dates | LDS FHL microfilm number |
---|---|---|
Births, marriages, deaths, intentions of marriages | 1770-1854 | 1887660 |
Births, marriages, deaths | 1843-1853 | |
Births | 1854-1900 | |
Marriages | 1854-1900 | |
Deaths | 1854-1884 | |
Deaths | 1885-1900 | 1887661 |
Index to births | ||
Index to marriages (bk. 1 of 2) | ||
Index to marriages (bk. 2 of 2) | ||
Index to deaths |
Holdings: LDS Family History Library (for LDS FHL microfilm numbers, see the table above) |
Holdings: Historic Deerfield Library; LDS Family History Library (LDS FHL microfilm number 0954370 item 4-6) |
Holdings: Allen County Public Library; Historic Deerfield Library; LDS Family History Library (in paper and on microfilm, LDS FHL microfilm number 0873739 item 4); Massachusetts Historical Society Library; New England Historic Genealogical Society Library; University of Massachusetts Amherst Library |