Northfield, Massachusetts, USA
1848 - Northfield

“In 1672, a township was granted to John Pynchon. Mr. Pearson, and other associates, at Squakheag, now Northfield, on Connecticut river; and the following year a few people from Northampton, Hadley, and Hatfield, began a plantation at that place. The township was laid out on both sides of the river, and included an area of six miles by twelve, extending several miles into the present states of New Hampshire and Vermont, including a valuable tract of interval land. The northern boundary of Massachusetts was at this time unknown, but the grant was supposed to be within the limits of the province. A deed to William Clark and John King of Northampton, agents for the proprietors of Northfield, covering the grant, was made August 13, 1687, by Nawelet Gongegua, Aspiambelet, Addarawanset, and Meganichcha, Indians of the place, in consideration of two hundred fathom of wampum and fifty-seven pounds worth of trading goods.' It was signed with the marks of the grantors, and witnessed. by Jonathan Hunt, Preserved Clap, William Clark, Jr., Peter Jethro, Joseph Atherton, and Israel Channcey." "The planters built small huts, and covered them with thatch; made a place for public worship; and built a stockade and fort."

A great part of Northfield is excellent land, particularly several valuable intervals on both sides of Connecticut river. The village of Northfield is situated on an elevated plain, rising above the meadows on the Connecticut. The main street runs parallel with the river, and is about a mile in length ; it is wide, and ornamented with shade trees. The houses are handsomely built. There are two churches and an academy in the village.

The above is a southern view in the central part of the village, showing the Unitarian church and some other buildings, with the shade trees; the whole intended to give a characteristic view of the appearance of the village. This place is about 12 miles from Greenfield, 12 from Brattleborough, Vt., 16 from New Salem, 13 to Montague, 78 to Hartford, Ct., and 78 to Boston. Population, 1,605. Very little is done in the manufacturing business at present in this town.

Northfield has suffered much from the horrors of Indian warfare and bloodshed. Upon the opening of Philip's war, Northfield. being a frontier settlement, was much exposed to the attacks of the enemy. In the beginning of September, 1675, nine or ten people were killed in the woods at Northfield; others escaped to the garrison house. The day after this took place, and before it was known at Hadley, Capt. Beers, with thirty-six mounted infantry, was detached by Major Treat, to convoy provisions to the garrison and people at Northfield. Beers' route led. through the present towns of Sunderland, Montague, and the tract called Erving's Grant, then a continued forest, through which was an imperfect road, the distance of nearly thirty miles; and though continually exposed to attacks, he passed several difficult places, and among others Miller's river, without seeing an Indian. Dismounting and leaving the horses, the march was continued on foot, and was necessarily retarded by an accompanying baggage. At the distance of about two miles from the garrison at Northfield, the route lay over a deep swampy ravine, through which ran a considerable brook, emptying into Connecticut river. Discovering Beers' approach, a large body of Indians formed an ambuscade at this place, and lay ready to attack his front and right. Without discovering the snare, Beers arrived at the point, and received the fire of the Indians from the margin of the ravine on his right. A considerable proportion of the party fell on the spot; the remainder instantly broke, and, in scattered order, retreated over a piece of level ground, closely followed by the Indians. Beers, with a few of his men, gained an abrupt hill, about three fourths of a mile in his rear, where they bravely maintained their ground some time against an overwhelming force; hut at length he received a fatal shot, and the survivors were compelled to retire from the ground. Out of the thirty-six, only sixteen escaped back to Hadley, leaving the baggage and wounded in the hands of the enerny. Two days after this fatal disaster, Major Treat, with one hundred men, arrived on the ground where Beers was defeated, and witnessed. the horrid barbarity of the savages. Several of the slain were beheaded, and their heads were elevated on poles near the road: one man was suspended to the limb of a tree, by a chain hooked to his Under jawm probably when alive, and the while scene was appalling. Pursuing his march to the town, the major found the garrison safe, and brought them off with the inhabitants. The Indians soon after destroyed the fort, houses, and every thing valuable in the town.

During the first part of King William's war," which commenced in 1690, Northfield was again occupied by a few settlers, protected by small works, and a few troops, furnished by government; but the people were at length compelled to abandon it, on which the Indians the second time destroyed the place. Immediately after the peace of 1713, the settlers of Northfield returned to their plantations, rebuilt their houses, and one for public, worship; and in 1718, they settled Mr. Benjamin Doolittle, from Wallingford, Con., as minister of the place, which then consisted of about thirty families. The following is the date of the settlement of the clergymen succeeding Mr. Doolittle: John Hubbard in 1730; Samuel C. Allen in 1795: Thomas Mason in 1799; George W. ilosmer in 1830; Oliver 0. Everett in 1837. The Trinitarian church was krmed in 1825. Eli Moody and Bancroft Fowier have been ministers of this church. The Methodist church stands in the southern part of the town.

[From the Boston Post Boy, May 12, 1746.]

"By an express front the westward, we are informed, that the Indians kili'd a man who was going from Lunenburg to Northfield, about a fortnight ago, but was not found until last Monday. He had been to Boston, and was on his return home, with about four or five hundred pounds with him in paper bills, which he was carrying up to Northfield to pay the billeting of soldiers. And that at No. 4, another man was killed last Friday sev'night, the circumstances of which are pretiy remarkable. Maj. Willard with several soldiers went as a guard to some women, not far from the fort, who went out to milk their cows. Two of the party having searated to go to the barn, one of them seeing a door of the stable open, ran before to shut it, fearing the cattle might have got in there; and just as he had got to the door, he saw 7 or 8 of them in the stable; upon which he cried out, the stable is full of Indians! They not minding it, the Indians rushed out and fired upon them, and shot this man. The major and guard hearing the guns, called the men to arms, and advanced in haste toward the enemy; but before they got nigh enough, they saw one of the lad ians. a very stout fellow, run up to the man they had shot and strike him on the head, which entirely dispatched him; but the major getting good aim, fired, and supposes to have struck him, as they were scouring off this fellow being seen from the fort to drop at some distance, but was carried off by the others; also much blood was seen at the place, and his blankets, very bloody, were found."

The following inscriptions were copied from momnuents in the burial-ground in this place:

Rev. John Hubbard, A. M., second minister of this town, died Nov. 28, 1794, in the 69th year of his age, and 45th of his ministry.

A man he was to all his people dear
And passing rich with eighty pounds a year;
Remote from towns, he held his godly race.
Nor ever changed, nor wish'd to change his place.
In duty, faithful, prompt at every call,
He watch'd, and wept, and pray'd for all
He try'd each art, reproved each dull delay,
Allur'd to brighter worlds, and led the way.

In memory of the Rev. Mr. Benjamin Doolittle, first pastor of the church in Northfield, who died Jan. ye 9th, 1748, in the 54th year of his age & 30th year of his ministry.

Bless'd with good intelectual parts,
Well skilled in two important arts,
Nobly he filled the double station
Both of a preacher and physician.
To cure men's sicknesses and sins,
He took unwearied care and pains;
And strove to make his patient whole
Throughout, in body and in soul.

He loved his God. lov-'d to do good,
To all his friends vast kindness show'd;
Nor could his enemies exclaim,
And say he was not kind to them.
His labors met a sudden close,
Now he enjoys a sweet repose;
And when the just to life shall rise,
Among the first, he'll mount the skies.

Historical Collections Relating to the History... John Warner Barber, Worcester, Warren Lazell, 1848

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