Connecticut Historical Collections

diversified in its surface nnd soil, is considered by many to be one of the best townsiiips of land in tlie Slate: the casK rn bccliun, bordoiiny upon Connecticut river, has a <^n-adiial rise for about two miles to the public road, which runs nearly in a parallel direction with the I'ivei". This is a fine tract, the soil being a strong and deep loam. There is no alluvial upon the border of the river, and the bank is generally eleva- ted and bold. The town is divided into two parishes, Suflield and West Suffield. Tliere are four houses of worship in the town, two for Baptists and two for Congregationaiists. The population of SufTield has not varied much for the last forty years. In ISOO, the number of inhabitants was 2,666; in 1810, they numbered 2,6:30; in 1880, their number was 2,600. The principal street in the first societ)', which is n mile or more in length, lies on beautiful ground, rising graduall}- li'om the south towards the norih. It is well scttleil, and contains many hand- some dweirmi:^ houses. From the liigher parts there is a fine |)rosj)ect ; the peak of Moimt Tom is seen at the distance of twenty miles, form- ing a prominent object in the landscape, opening to the northward. Upon this street are two churches, one for the Congregationaiists and one for the Baptists, a post office, stores, and the Connecticut Literary Institution. The above is a northeastern view of the Institution, which is pleas- i aiUly located in the center of the place, 16 miles n. of Hartford and 10 s. of Springfield. It was commenced under the patronage of the Con- necticut Baptist Education Society. A distinct act of incorporation was obtained in May, J835. The edifice, which is constructed ol brick", is 72 feet long and 34 wide, four stories high, containing 24 rooms, well furnished for the accommodation (jf students. "Connected with the Institution, and owned by the corporation, ai'e IG acres ol valu;d)le land, and a large dwelling house for the use of a steward, who furnishes board, including washing, for 1 dol. 25 cts. per week. The average s u K F I l: m) . 109 miniber of siudents tlius far has Leon about 60: tlie number is con- stantly incrcasiuii;, and the seminary i;i\('3 fair ]-)i-omise of lising to an elevated rank aniong insiitunons of similar character in the country. It will be perceived, in all coiicct maps of Connecticut, that a tract of land, about two miles in !eni;tli and breadth, on the western boun- dary of this town, projects into what would seem oui:;lil to belong to Connecticut. This tract has been left to the juiisdiclion of INIassaclju- setts, since the year 1 -'()(). it appears ihat the bounds of Si^ringfield and AVindsor were not delincd with much accuiacy, in this section ; the bounds at the noithuest puiiU (jI" ilie [jrojection, ho\\e\er, appear to have been clearly defined. The \\L^IeJl) hountis of Springfield, in which part of Suilield was included, were sujijioscd, but eironeously, to extend to this point. A INlr. Mooie, living on the tract in question, was knowing to the facts in the case. Having received a warning to a militia training, be refused to a))pear, denying that he was within the jurisdiction of Connecticut. The case was carried to the General As- seudjly of Connecticut, who, u|)on an examination of the facts in the case, were obliged to leave this iiact to the jurisdiction of INIassachu- setts. " Tlie south line of Massarliusclis, accordiiii; locliaitcr, nin« west fium a point three miles soiuh uf the most bonlhei ly Luaiich ol' Chailes i-i\'er, ami every pari of it; and the north line of Connecticut is the souili line of iSlassaehusetis. When Mr. Pynchoii settled Sjirinyfiehi, and (he fust planlaiions were made in Connecticut, in l(j;]r), it was not known whether the d-iuioiy would fall within the limits of Massacliu- setls or not. liut Mr. I'yneliuii at lirst eun-ideri'd himjcUas heloiigin;:; to tlie jurisdic- tion of the Connecticut plantations. In IGl'J. iMassaehiisetts employed two .sui veyors, Woodward and .Sall'ery, to inn the line hetui'en the colonies. These pretended to a.s- cerlain the south line on ( Miailes i i\ c i , and theii sailiu;,' round and goinjj up the Con- necticut, thej attenijitcd to lix the line tlieie, in the same latitude. But either through iiuittentiou or the u^e of had insiruinrnis, they ileiermined the line to fall m Windsor, many miles south of the true line. — Connecticut was dissativlied with the determina- tion of Woodwaid anil Safl'eiy, iind maile rejiealed pioposaL'^ to Massachusetts for ;i i.vuiual adiUvtUK'nl of the controveisy, wliich were inetlectual. In Ki'Jl, a committee apiunntcd by i.'onnecticul, run the line and fouml the former suivey very eiroiieous. In this situiitmn, the inhalutants of ymhcld and I'^nlield, wh<j seliled'nnder the claims and jurisdiction of Massachnseiis, continued to encroach upon Windsor and Sims- bury, which c-vciied warm animosiiies. In the year 1700, further attempts were made to procure an amicable settlement of the dispute; the line was run by commissioners of both colonies, in 17U-2, and found tofall lar north of the I'oimer line; but Massa- chusetts disa-j^reed to their report. In 171)8, Connecticut appointed commissioners with full powers to run tlie line, and establish the boundary ; and resolved, that unless Massachusetts would unite In coiii)dc-lc ihe business, they would ajiply to the crown. Massachusettsdid nota^iee at nin c to ihc in-uiiosnl of Coiniccticut ; but in 1713, com- jnissioners were ap|Hjii!Ud on [\\r part of Ijuih colonics, who came to an agreement on the l.'hh of July, i.tn ruiininL; ihe line, it w as loniul to fall north of iMilield, Sullield, and Woodstock, which id' course c.iiiie wiiliiu the juiisdiclion of Conneeliciit. As an ei|uivalcnl for the l.ind which Icid been laki:ii fidm (_:oiinec-ticnt by encroachments, IMassachuselts i,M:inlcd a tract of land in the wesiein pait of thai colony, which, in 171(!, was sold lor two ihuuNainl luo hundred and se\ciil3'-ionr dollars, which sum was a|>|ilied to the use of "iale (_'ollc-c. 'J'lii-> a-reemcnt, liMwever, was mU considered as c^inciusive and saiisliictoiv : nor was the Ijoundary lielween llie two slates delinitely settled till Ma3', liiUl."* Gen. Pliinras TAjiaan, distinguished for his services diu'ing tlie French war, ;md fur many public em[)loymonts, was for several years a * Webster, liisl.of U. W. 110 S U F F I E L D. resident in this town. lie was born at Durham, about tlie year 17 J 6, and educated at Yale Colle;;;e, He devoted himself to the profession of law, and comnienccd practice in tliis town. " He look a distinguished part in the dispute between this state and Massachusetts, relative to the right of jurisdiction over the town of Suliield, and the otlier towns upon that boundary, settled by Massachusetts, lie afterwards became a councillor, then called a magistrate, which ofiice he hehl for a number of years. During the French war, he had a distinguished conmiand in the northern army for several years. In the campaign of 1755, he served as major general in the provincial troops. At or soon after the close of the war, he went to England to support a claim of the olhcers of the provincial troops, having been authorised to act as general agent. After experiencing great dilliculties and delay, (liavmg returned once for an extension of his powers,) he succeedetl in obtaining a grant of an extensive tract of land upon the Mississippi, in the vicinity of Natchez. He accordingly embarked, and sailed directly for the Mississippi, where he arrived about the year 177d. He dispatched one of his sons for bis family, which during this period had remained in Suliield ; but just before their arrival, the same year. Gen. Lyman died, upon the tract of land of which he obtained a grant. His wife died during the pas- sage, and his family left there soon after, on the country being reclaimed by the Spaniards."* Gideon Granger was born in this town, July 19, 17G7. "He was graduated at Yale College in 1787, and in the following year was ad- mitted a member of the bar of the supreme court of Connecticut, where he practiced law with great celebrity and distinction. In 1793 he was elected a member of the legislature of Connecticut, and was continued in that body for several years, and distinguislied fur energy, talents, and usefulness. To his eidightened exeitions, this slate is principally in- debted for its school fund, so justly celebrated as the foundation of its primary schools, and the fostering parent of thai useful information which prevails so generally in the staU'. in 1601, he was appointed postmaster general of the Ihiiied Stales, and ccjniinued to execute the duties of that imporlant ofiice with great ability, (niiil the spring of 1S14, wdien be removed to the state of New Yoik. In Apiil, 1819, he was elected a member of the senate of that state, which situation he re- signed in 18:21, on account of ill health. He died at his seat in Canan- daigua, on the 3Jst of December, 18:22. iNlr. Granger was a man of commanding appearance, of a striking physiognomy, of talents equally brilliant and profound, of a kind and benevolent heart, and unimpeach- able rectitude. He was an able speaker and a powerful \yriter. His wri- tings were confined almost entirely to political subjects. His principal publications were written under the signatures of Algernon Sidney, and Epaminondas, in favor of President JetHnson's and Governor , Clinton's administrations, and of Senectus on the school fund of Con- necticut."f ♦ Pease and NiIl'^.'^, Gazulteer. + Lord's Lcmpriere's Univcrbal Biograpliy. S U F F I E L I) . Ill