History of Conway, Massachusetts, USA

1762 - Conway is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1767 - The town of Conway is incorporated

The first gristmill in Conway was built about the year 1767, by Caleb Sharp.

History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

1768 - Previous to the incorporation of the town of Conway, religious meetings had not been held with regularity.
Such as were able went to Deerfield; or they attended any occasional meeting they could hear of. At the second town meeting provision was made for hiring a preacher. The Congregational church was organized in less than a year — July 14, 1768. It had thirty-two members, sixteen men and sixteen women. After a little Mr. John Emerson of Maiden was invited to preach as a candidate for settlement.
History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

1773 - The first schoolhouse in Conway was begun in 1773, and finished the next year.
Its dimensions were 25 feet by 22 feet. It stood a few rods northeast of the old meeting house, near the middle, but somewhat toward the eastern side of the common...
History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

In 1778 the town of Conway voted to accept the propositions made by the Continental Congress for a union between the states.

History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

Aaron Hayden set up a "fulling mill" in Conway, about 1780.

History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

The population of Conway in 1790 was 2,092.

History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

About 1797 Dr. Moses Hayden, with R. Wells (his son-in-law), set up an oil mill in Conway.

History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

In 1810 there was established in Conway, a broadcloth manufactory and a cotton mill.

History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

The woolen mill of the Conway Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1837.

History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

1839 - Conway
Conway, Massachusetts
Franklin county. This town is divided from Shelburne, on the north, by Deerfield river. It lies 100 miles W. by N. from Boston and 7 S.W. from Greenfield. Incorporated, 1767. Population, 1837, 1,445. A tributary of Deerfield river passes its northern border. The manufactures of Conway consist of cotton and woolen goods, leather, boots, shoes, hats, chairs, and cabinet ware. Total amount, year ending April 1, 1837, $22,475. The value of wool grown, the same year, was $5,072, comprising 4,830 fleeces, weighing 14,490 pounds.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

1845 - CONWAY. [Pop. 1,409. Inc. 1767.]

Conway is nearly divided by South River, a branch of Deerfield River, and it is chiefly situated in a valley between two hills. It was once a part of Deerfield.

Some cotton and woollen cloth is manufactured, and the wool produced is considerable.

Distance from Greenfield, 7 miles; from Boston, 100.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

A cotton mill was erected in Conway in 1846 by Gen. James S. Whitney and Charles Wells.

History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

1848 - Conway
This town was incorporated in 1767. The first minister of the place was Rev. John Emerson, who settled here in 1769. At this time the town contained but 400 or 500 inhabitants. Mr. Emerson afterwards shrewdly remarked, that when he came “it was literally John preaching in the wilderness.” He lived to see a population of about 2000 souls. Mr. Emerson was eminently a prayerful and devoted minister of the gospel. “For several of his last years he had an impediment in his speech; it was, however, scarcely perceptible in his devotional exercises, showing it was more notural for him to pray than to cnverse." Rav. Edward Hitchcock was settled as colleague with Mr. Emerson in 1821. Mr. Emerson died in 1826, aged 80. Mr. Hitchcock was succeeded by Rev. Daniel Crosby, in 1827.

The following is a southern view of the central part of Conway, as it appears from the road passing over the elevated ground south from the village. The village, which consists of about thirty dwelling houses and other ... Read MORE...

The Conway Stock and Mutual Fire Insurance Company began business in 1849.

History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

The South River Cutlery Company began operations in 1851, erecting a building in Burkeville (Conway), on the right bank of the river, toward the old center of the town.

History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

A Fire Company was formed in Conway in 1852.

History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

1852 - Destructive Fire at Conway, Mass.
Springfield, Mass., Monday, Aug. 16.
The Dye and Storage House of the Conway Manufacturing Company, in Conway, Mass., was burnt this morning with its contents, consisting of about 50,000 lbs. of wool. The loss is about $20,000. Insured from $15,000 to $18,000.
The New York Times
New York, New York
August 17, 1852

In 1853 the Conway Academy was incorporated.

History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

1854 - Conway
Conway, a post-township of Franklin county, Massachusetts, 100 miles W. by N. from Boston, on the S. side of Deerfield river. Population, 1831.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1860 - June 2 - DIED WHILE DANCING
A young man named Frank Stanhope attended a dance in Conway, Mass., a few evening since, and while dancing and playing a flute at the same time, fell dead upon the floor. The selectmen suspected foul work, and had his body disinterred, when it was found an artery had been broken near the top of the head, which probably caused his death.
Richmond Dispatch
Richmond, Virginia
June 2, 1860

1866 - a fine stone dam was erected in Conway, making a large reservoir, a mile westward up the river.

History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

1869 - Conway was known for its sheep farming and other agrarian pursuits in its early years, with some industry along the South River which was washed out in a dam break in 1869.
wikipedia

"The great freshet of 1869 is still vividly remembered by the older residents of the town. It began to rain on Saturday, October 4, and poured in torrents for forty-eight hours. The earth wings of the granite dam at the Tucker & Cook reservoir gave way, and with the water in the reservoir added to the stream, already a raging Hood, a clean sweep was made of practically everything in its path. The covered bridge at Burkeville was the only bridge remaining on South River from Ash field line to the Deerfield. Fourteen bridges were washed away in various parts of the town. All of the mills were more or less seriously damaged. The tannery of William Clapp, which had been an important industry of the town, was completely wrecked. The business did not recover from the loss. Several dwelling houses were moved from their foundations and Main Street between the present Field Library and the bridge was the center of a sizable lake. It was estimated that the total damage to the town... Read MORE...

Conway was afflicted with an epidemic of diphtheria in 1874.
"Beginning with October 21 there were, within a year, thirty-six deaths from diphtheria. In several homes there were two and even three deaths in close connection. Rev. James De Forest, pastor of the Methodist church, lost two children and was himself buried with them. The town was in deepest gloom for several months."
History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

The Conway Cornet Band was organized in 1876 with John R. Holcomb, leader.

History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

1878 - Conway freschet
In 1878, the cause of this freschet "was a heavy fall of snow followed by rain and a south wind on the afternoon and evening of Tuesday, December 10. During the night all of this mantle of snow, holding the rain like a sponge on the frozen ground, melted and literally slid, as from the roof of a house, into the river valleys. The Ashfield and Conway reservoirs gave way at about the same time, making an interval of about an hour between the two floods as they reached Conway village. This was fortunate for Conway, for had the flood from Ashfield been added to the volume of water in the Conway
reservoir the consequences to Conway village must have been serious indeed. As it proved, the property loss, though heavy, was much less than in 1869. There were many narrow escapes but no loss of life during either disaster."
History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

The bank building in Conway, with town office and rooms occupied by the public library, was totally destroyed on the night of January 11, 1878.

History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

The telegraph came into Conway in the fall of 1880.
Mr. Charles C. Burdette, who had recently opened a drug store in the village, arranged with the telegraph company to run a line from Bardwell station to his store. The citizens of the town furnished the poles and Mr. Burdette received and sent the messages for one half of the receipts...
History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

1885 - February 24 - The Congregational church at Conway, Mass., was totally destroyed by fire last night. Loss, $12,000.

The Times
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 24, 1885

Conway Massachusetts, 1890
Conway is a hilly but thriving town in the western part of Franklin County, having Deerfield River separating it from Shelburne on the northeast, with the Fitchburg Railroad following the opposite bank. On the east is Deerfield, with the Connecticut River Railroad running through it north and south. Whately lies on the east and south; Williamsburg is also on the south; Ashfield covers most of the west side, and Buckland receives the northwest corner.

Bardwell's Ferry, on the northeast side, is 119 miles from Boston by rail. The principal village is Burkeville, situated slightly west of Conway (centre). The area of the town is 24,173 acres; of which 3,483 are woodland, consisting principally of beech, maple and chest nut. Dry Hill and Poplar Hill in the south, and Pine Hill in the west, are prominent features in the landscape. The chief village is beautifully situated in a valley between Billing's Hill at the east and Beal's Hill at the west. Bear River in the north, South River at... Read MORE...

A Lodge of Good Templars was formed in Conway in 1894.

History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

1894 - August 2 - TWENTY-SIX FIRES. Much Property Belonging to One Family Burned - Charges.
Conway, Mass., August 2. - Mrs. Susan J. Taylor, of Walpole, is under arrest, charged with attempted incendiarism. The insurance companies allege that there have been within a few years, no less than twenty-six fires in property owned by the family of which Mrs. Taylor is a member.

A little more than a year ago George and Brice McDowell, brothers of Mrs. Taylor, came here and bought a grist mill. Some time after a barn they owned burned and $850 insurance was paid. This fire, the McDowells claim, was caused by the carelessness of an employe. Last January the grist mill was destroyed by fire, with its contents. The building was insured for $1,500 and the stock for $2,500. George McDowell admits that this fire was of incendiary origin, but declares he has no idea who set it. The insurance companies refuse to pay the amount demanded in this case, and the McDowells will bring suit next week.

Mrs. Mary E. Griggs, a sister of Mrs. Taylor, lived here until recently in a house owned by ... Read MORE...

1895 - Conway Electric Road opens for traffic
...In the early spring of 1895 the tracks were cleared of snow and work was resumed with such vigor that on March 29 a trial trip was made successfully from the upper cotton mill to Conway Station. Three days later the road was open for traffic.

The Conway electric road was the first to operate in this vicinity and the first to carry freight anywhere in the state...
History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

1895 - Conway
Conway, a post-village of Franklin co., Mass., 30 miles N. by W. from Springfield. It has a national bank, a high school, a woollen-mill, a cotton-factory, and 3 churches. Pop. of the township in 1890, 1451.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

The New England Telephone Company began business in Conway in the spring of 1897 with six subscribers.

History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

In 1899 a dam was built across South Rixer near Conway Station to furnish power to run the electric road and also to furnish electric lights and power for the townspeople.
This dam was made of logs and crushed stone faced with plank.
History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

The Wequanock Tribe of Red Men was organized in Conway, December 1, 1899.

History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

1901 - July 14 - FIELD LIBRARY IS DEDICATED. Chicago Merchant Delivers Keys of Memorial at Conway, Mass.
TOWN ON A HOLIDAY
Day Ends with Big Display of Pyrotechnics.
Gift Has Brought About a Boom in the Quiet New England Village - Cost Was $100,000.

Special Dispatch to the Inter Ocean.
CONWAY, Mass., July 13. - The Field Memorial Library, the gift of Marshall Field of Chicago to the citizens of this town, was formally dedicated today. The town presents a gala appearance, and the whole community has set aside the day for praising the wealthy merchant whose gift has been the means of rejuvenating the decadent old village.

Every house in the town had been decorated for the event. For weeks the committee in charge of the arrangements has been at work on the elaborate plans for the event, the greatest in the history of the community. The day closed with a display of fireworks such as the townspeople had never seen before.

The Rev. Charles B. Rice of Danvers, Mass., made an address, and Mr. Field stepped forward and turned over the keys of the building to the selectmen. The address ... Read MORE...

1903 - April 25 - Two cases of smallpox were found at Conway, Mass., and the board of health is puzzled to account for the appearance of the disease.

Newport Mercury
Newport, Rhode Island
April 25, 1903

The Burkeville Woolen Mill, once so important to the town of Conway, was destroyed by fire on the sixth of March, 1904.

History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

On August 1, 1905, of the buildings of the Conway Co-operative Creamery were lost by fire.

History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

1906 - October 8 - Kills His Hunting Companion.
Conway, Mass., Oct. 8. - After remaining reticent for twelve hours over the tragic death in Conway woods of a hunting companion, Charles Pair, seventeen years of age, guided the officers to the body of Augustus Faille, seventeen years of age, which was found with a charge of birdshot in the breast. Pair was arrested and will be arraigned on a charge of murder.
Pittston Gazette
Pittston, Pennsylvania
October 8, 1906

The First Framed House in Conway. Built about 1766. Burned in 1916.

History of Conway 1767-1917, Ed. Charles Stanley Pease,Springfield Printing & Binding Co. 1917

1916
Conway, a banking post- village of Franklin co., Mass., 30 miles N. by W. of Springfield. It has woollen- and cotton-mills, manufactures of boots and shoes, etc. Pop. of the township (town) in 1900, 1458.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

2017 - Conway's 250th Celebration
Conway is updating the histories and genealogies from 1917 and 1967 for the upcoming 250th celebration in 2017. If anyone has any connections to Conway's past, we'd very much appreciate the opportunity to share by recording any family stories, copying old photos or documents or receiving photos of any furniture, etc. that came from Conway. We will be building an ongoing website for Conway's history, genealogy, cemeteries, stories - it's all great! You can reach us at conway250gen@gmail.com.

Despite its small size, Conway offers a variety of activities and places to explore for both residents and visitors. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Conway:
Visit the Field Memorial Library: This historic library is a hub of community activity. You can browse its extensive collection, attend events, or simply enjoy a quiet moment with a good book.

Take a Stroll through Conway Center: The center of town is a quintessential New England village, with historic homes and buildings. Enjoy a leisurely walk and soak in the town's charm.

Hike and Explore Conway State Forest: Conway is home to a portion of the Conway State Forest, which offers numerous hiking trails for all skill levels. The Erving Ridge Trail, for example, provides stunning views of the surrounding hills.

Go Bird Watching: Conway is a haven for bird watchers. Bring your binoculars and explore the various trails in the area to spot local and migratory bird species.

Kayak or Canoe on the South River: The South River flows through Conway, providing opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. It's a peaceful way to experience the natural beauty of the... Read MORE...