F 74 .S8 S66 Copy 1 O^i/VJO^-^ C Auva^ OF THE FOUNDING OF SPRINGFIELD, MASS. ^ >i ('c>()l,^^■s lliiTKi IN ISI14 HearTe! Hear Tel FORASMUCH as it has pleased the Ahiiit-hty God to brino; peace, plenty and prosperity to the ancient town of Springfield upon the Kiver Connecticut, and whereas it was two hundred and seventy-five years ago this day that y*^ town was settled by William Pynchon and his companions. '^tCrCfore. Be it known that tiiis day is set apart from all others, to be observed in due form and proper spirit, without undue pomp or pageantry, as becomes the ideals of our forefathers. And further, be it known, that as y'' town has lived in unity of purpose so shall it live through the ages. And therefore, Citizens of Sin'ingfield, observe this day by re- joicing in the fullness of \our lives and the fruitfulness of your labors. Greet your neighbors and the stranger within our gates that all may be one and that one may be all. Given this 26th day of Alay in the !:27oth year of the town and the o8th year of tlu- city. K. II. Lathkoi'. Mayor God Save Springfield Main Strf.ki \m) IImiiusov Avknle in ISHS i^^th ^Anniversary Committees C'oL. Arcws'i' II. (roKTrixci, C'/riinii(i?i K\Ki{KTT K. Bf.ldixc;. Sccirttiry A\ ii.i.iAM V. Adams Bukwf.u ("okcokax Joskimi (". Ai,i,i;\ Mati'ukw II. Fakuf.1,1, (ii;x. Kmiu'uy P. Ci.auk CiiAKi.Ks 1}. Hitchcock \\'ii.i.iam M. Stf.vkxsox (Al)|)nintf(l l)V Mavcih i;. 11. I.ATIIKOI') Luncbron I'allili K. SafFord, Clitiininin Kdwaril S. BraiUbril Charles T. Sliuan Charles H. Hall James K. Miller Cfrrrtsfo at d'catrr Brewer Corcoran, Chalniiini Hwi^iht (). Gilmore E. N. Richards E. L. Burke Kenneth Robbie Clolirro fit 2ri)catrE Geo. E. Howard, ChainiKUi Thomas W. Hyde Robert P. Marsh Marvin C. Birnic Robert Medlicott James Kemptoii Frederick Hopkins Gcorfj-e Robinson iMetorical Loan liErbifait Clifford B. I'otter, (l/diniKni Henry C. Hailc, I'iri-Cliiiii'iiuiii HisToHu Ai. Din'Aur.MKN T — Prof. J. T. Bowne, Cli (iuAUK C'i(ci>,sis(. is 1>^^ 275//; Anniversary Committees Inotorical i&ftftriirs Henry Lasker. L'ha'tnnan Robert C. Pepper. SerreUu-y Henry N. Bowman Kurt R. Sternberg ADfascrbancfB in sSthOOlg — Joseph C. Allen Sfaiarrbanrrs in ^Clnirrhria — Everett E. Beldino: Jnbitations Brewer Corcoran. Chalnium Charles B. Hiteheock ©roijrams A. L. S. Wood, Chiiiniuni Ralph R. French Alfred L. S. Wood. Chainnan Ralph R. French William E. Wallace 80rtial8 Brewer Corcoran, L'luunnan Charles B. Hitchcock Robert F. Day Henry J. Beebe, Jr. Harold A. Ley William F. Adams Gen. E. P. Clark Kenneth Robbie John B. Callashan Everett E. Beldin<>-. Clinirmnii /Flacs J. T. Schauweker Dccorationa — Oscar Buchhol/. SToUin Criers Col. CnAHi.ES L. ^'m ng, Chitif Crifi- J. R. Ramsay H. C. Cassidv W. J. H viand S. C. I'ike W. T. Butnian H. E. Cook T. H. Flcminfi; (W-or^e M. (lay Henry Bryant Earl W. Brvant E. C. Hazeii H. R. Dole R. P. Smith E. C. Davis Louis Brams. Jr. H. H. Knapp C. 1). Root lli'nr\- Packard E. B.'Alvord J. B. Ilarriiifiton Walter Hicks Harry Coolcy Harry Cady W. A. Leison T. W. Burden B. M. Collins I-:. B. Calcf E. R. Burner J. V. ()"Hani<.n T. .1. Lasarcs J. J. Hughes J. F. Foss John Hodffes 1\. Carl Moore lton Avenue, James Anderson. Buckingham, William B. Covil. Carew Street, Janu-s B. Kceiu'. Central Street aiul White Street, He\ . K. S. Withen^ll. Chest luit Street. Oscar B. Ireland. Kast Union Street, Orrison J. Tarhox. Homer Street, Georfi'e 1). Shaw. Hooker Street. T. S. Stewart. Howard Street and State Street, J. W. Hersey. Indian Orchard Cirammar. Rob Roy McGregor. .lelTerson .\scnue. 'I'hecKlore Manee. .School .Street. Col. S. C. W'arriner. South .Main Street, Dwi-ht M. Chapman. 'l"a|iiey .Seiiool. John I',. .Stannai'd. Wdliam Street. William H. Hawkins. Pro(irammc for the I^av — continued ().;>() r. \i. — 15. WD ('o\( i;i!i' ()\ ('oil!!' S(ir.\i!i.. I3roijr!iin I. .M\ii(ii, Colonel I'.stry ........ lUtijli)! 1. ( )\i:n iTHi:. W'illiiiii I'l-ll ....... HoKxiiii 'A. Si:i,i:iTioN. Til.' ('li(H-ol;ilc Soldier Sfraiiss I. !'.( iioi:s rno.M iiii: M i:i noroi i tan ()i'i:i;a liorsi; . . . 'rolxiiii '). Hkmixisi i:m i:s oi' Si on. and ...... (iuil/ni/ (i. HxmroNr: Soi.o. Selected ...... Ctrl«iiii scli'i ?. ("lUAND 1''aN-|ASI A. Me] ill istoplu'les ..... 'I'dlKllli S. Si:i.i:crioN . Hriulit I'.yes ....... /Ih.scIiiki !>. Ami:huan I'ani'asii-: ........ Ilirlurt S I'. Ai. — KxKiicisKs IX CoiKT SciiAKK 'I'l I i:Ari;K. 1. CoNlKliT HARDYS ORCHESTRA 2. Rkadim; (11 AsNnKiiSAiiv Pixu i.a.ma riox hv Town Cmiit CHARLES L. YOUNG S. Invocation. Pastor of tlu' I'irst C'iiiireli REV. I)R. NEIL McPHERSON 4-. OiMNiNc; Ciioms. The Land of the Free . . . Whifmnrk CALHOUN CLUB. Edwin N. Richards, D.rator .'}. Addhkss MAYOR EDWARD H. LATHROP ()'. Ai)i)iu:ss. Siirin \ 1^11 IN I- Programme for the Day — eon tinned %,^t ^pciiKfrs in t!jf l}iff^ ^r^oolo AIoxDAi. Charles II. liaiTow s. " Tlu' P\ iirhous and the Set- tleineiit of Spi-iniifield. " TiKsDAV. Ileiii-y A. IJooth. "Lite in Sprini!,iiel(l in the Colonial Days."' ^\'l•l)\*^. l'i-()f. Jaeol) T. l^)\\ne. ""The Settlers and the Indians. "" I'lMhAV. W'idi.nn (i. MeKeehnie. '" Si)i-in!4(iel(l ;ind Sluns* lu'hellion. "" ri;iiMi'ii,M. Am II. .'.Mm II A n \ i \ i i:^ \i; ■. . M Spring field 1636 and 191 1 INCH the history of Sprinjifielil was written for the pro- firaniiiie of the I'c-lehratioii of the i.iOth anniversary the city has more than shared the proj^ress of the country. It has jiTown from a population of 37. .577 in 1SH.5 to 8S,9>(j in 1910; its property valuation has grown from •'?3(i.7S-i,-2()-2 in 1SS(> to .S119.()S1,77S; its taxes in 1SS() amounted to S3.S(),4.S.5.i-2, in 19I0 to SI, ;)7<>. 7(1,5 11. Tlu' tax rate has only increased from Sli.SO on one thousand dollars to S1,5.S(). In these tweuty-fivt' years of its greatest growth the city has experienced no ■"boom"" with its inevitable re;u-- tion; there have been no overwhelming disasters to retai'd tile steady growth of Western Massachusetts' greatest city. The railroad problem, solved by nu-ans of the Arch and the re-establishment of grades sinc-e the history of 1SS(> was written, again has been outgrown and the c-ity is deciding on a new plan to embrace a Riverfront park and possibly the removal of tlu' rail- road tracks to the west bank of tlu' river. Thi' City Hall built in 1S,J4- was burned January ,5. 190.5 ;ind is being replai-ed by a million dollar group that will be oiu- of the most beautiful in the I'uited States. The exterior of tiie Auditorium has been completed and tlu- clock tower has just reac-hed its height of .SOO feet Since ISSfi the city has witnessed and taken its part in the development of the trolly systi-m. automobik's and aero]ilanes. The country has fought a war with vSpain. .Springhi-ld sent her fidl quota into Cuba, Porto I{ico. the i'liiliiipines and the i-aiups of the Sout h and her sons won gen- erous lani'els for themselves and their n.ative city. In tile constructive history of tiu' city noti'worthx .icliie\ cnu-nts have been m.ade in evei-y dep.iit iiuni . Tlie uierchants liave prosperi-d and liirir ui.irkets lia\c wideiicd; tiie industries h;i\e increased in number, \.ilue and \arict\ ; tlie scliool system has taken a position among the fore- most in tlic (iiuntiy; forest Park lias been conceived and become a reality; tlie city lias met ami coiKiuered its slum problem with jdaygrounds. boys' club .•ind intelligent settlement work; the '".Siife and Sane fourth of July*' idea, born here has been fostered and the Springheld celel>r;it ion is iiniipU'. No city in the I'nited States boasts greater or more justit'i.able civic pride than Springtiekl. where every citizen feels personal responsibility for tlie governnuMit i.f his home tow n and li.as .-i ]il,ice in nnniici;ial business .•ind pU-asure. Springfield 1636 and 191 i I'Ik' tollowiiij^- account of tlic scttlciiicnt of Siiriiigfickl is from Kind's Haiulhook of Spriiijifickl aiul was j)rintc()th anniversary: ••On the (ilii of .Ma> . l(i;r/( l-'ivc years after tlu' settlement of Boston), the iniiahitants of Koxljiiry had libei-ty ^iranted them to ri-movi- them- selves to any jflai-e they shouki tiiink meet, not to prejudice another |)laii- tation. provided they should continui- under the fiovernmi-nt of Massa- c-husetts. In accordance with this permission, William Pynchon, a I)atentee and ma. at Sprinfitieid, tiien known by its Iiuiian name of A<>awam. '•()n the lltii of .May. KiSfi. Mr. Pynchon. Henry Smith (Pynclion's son-in-law), INIatthew Mitcliell. Jehu Hnrr. William Blake, lulnmrid \\'oocl, Thomas UfFord anil John C'aijle si^iiu-d a written ajirt-ement of the settk-- nn'nt. "None of the sif^nei'S of this aiireement, exc-ept Pynclion and Smith remained here lon<;-. Most of them left within three years. Other settlers came, and on the KJth of May twelve persons received allotments of land. "Soon aftt-r tlieir arrival the settlers entered into neth of July. I().S(). — for the purjiort of which was expiaini'd to them l)y an Indian interpreter from the Bay.— two of (lie "ancient Indians of .\gawam." for themselves and ek-ven other Inilians wiio claimed to l)e proprietors of the land, conveyed to William Pynchon. Henry Smith, anti Jeliu Burr, their heirs and associates forever a large tract of land on botli sides of the river, including the greater part of the land now oi-cupieil by the city of Springfield. For this dei-d Pynchon and his assoc-iates paid a consideration which was satisfactory to the Indians, and of which they never et)mplained. "The first settlers built their houses on the westerly side of tlu' town street, which was about eighty rods easterly of tiu' rivt-r anil substantially j)arallel to it. "Tiie first allotment of lands was maile in May, Ki;}*), to tiie I'ight signers of the agreement, anil four otliers who had joineil them. As most of these twelve jjcrsons left the })lantati()n soon, their allotment of land was afterward greatly altered by anew division, which was the basis of the permanent settlement. This new ili vision assigned to each man a home lot extending from tlie street to the river, with a portion of the meadow and upland of e((ual width on the i-asterly siile of the street. In general these home lots wei-e eight rods wide. Pynchon and a few others had lots nnich wider. The town street of that day corresj)onded. substantially with the presi-nt Main street of the city, in its general course. Besides this principal stri'et, there were three narrow lanes leading from it to thi> river. These with greatly inereasetl width, are now represented by Kim street, York stri'i't and Cyi)ress street. The only road running easterly from the town street was in some i)art of its course the same as the ))resent State street. ■'In 1()H() the |)lanlalion of Agawam was supposeil to be in the same jurisdiction as Windsor, Ilai'tford and Wetln'rsfick! ; and the government of tiu'se four towns was administereil by connnissioners appointed by tlie Oeneral Court of Massachusetts. Pynchon anil Smith wvm members of this commission, and Pynchon atteniled its session at Hartford. A more accurate survey of the division-line between Massachusi-tts and Connect- icut established the fact, that Agawam fell within the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, anil k'ft the si-ttk-r here temporarily without an\ magis- Springfield 1636 and 191 i tr.itc, ami at slicli a ilislaiicc iVoni ll.c l!a\ as In lir iiracl ica 1 1\ lic\(iiu| lln- ri'acli (if till- authorities tlicrc. "In this exij^'cncy. tin- planlcrs of A^-awani met on tiic lllh of l\-hniary. KiSf). and voted that .\li'. I'vnchdn should execute tlie office of a niajiist rate ill the jilantation. \\il:hall the powers necessary to administer justice unl il the (ienerai C'om-t shouiil ollierwise oi-(h'r. l'n(h-i- this au- tlioi'ity Mr. I'ynchon acted until Jinic-. Kill, u hen he was duly coni- niissioned by tiu- (leneral Court with sincilar powers. ■■()n the I Ith of A|iril. Kill, the name of the town was chamicd. 1)\ a \uti' of the inliabitants. from .\>i-awam to Sprinfi-Hcld. 1 his is said to h.ave been a coniphnK-nt to I'ynchon. wliose residence in iMi^land iiad Ixeii a place of that name. Tiu- Cieneral Court reci)j;ni/,ed tiie town by tlie name of Springfield in Kiil. •"Prior to Kil-? tlu' bonndsof the tow n wh re (jiiirc indefinite. In KiUS, old style. ( K)SJ) as time is now reckoned ) a committt'c, ap])ointed for the jiur- pose, describetl the northern boundary as at a brook on the other side of the river about a (piarter of a mile above the mouth of Ciiico])ee river. '1 he brook at tlie lower iMid of the lon^i' meatlowon the east side of the river, and the brook a little below on the west side, art- mentioned as the soutii- erly boundary. No east or west boundarj' is ji'iven. "In tlie year Kit? the General Court made very lar