Springfield 1636-1886, History of Town and City, by Mason A. Green ...

146 SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1SS6.
Eugland, in which he speaks of his warehouses at Boston, his wharf,
and land adjoining. He found upon reaching Wraisbury that his
father had left him several hundred acres of land besides much per-
sonal property. But John Pynchon was a rich man for those times
before this enlargement of his estate.
In about 1659 John Pynchon had planned to build the finest house
in New England outside of Boston. He made it at once a garrison,
a residence, and a court-house. He bargained with Francis Hack-
lington, a Northampton man, for the brick, — in all 50,000, for
which he paid a little over $2,000. This building was probably com-
pleted in lOni, and was situated where Fort street now is. It was
the most important structure in this valley for many years, and re-
mained a historic landmark on our Main street until well into the
present century, when it was pulled down in spite of ardent protests,
and for no good reason that business or propriety can suggest to us.
The Old Pvmchon "Fort" or Residence.