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

206 SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1886.
heavier than " Hoclgkiss on Sin." The negro servant in the above
hst of vahiables was the slave Tom who lived to a good old age, — our
local uncle Tom, in fact, but his lines fell in pleasanter places. One
with a fancy for contrasts may turn from the rich apparel of Master
Pynchou to the simple record of Black Tom's outfit: " A parcel of
old cloathing of Black Tom negroe, 10s." The digging of Tom's
grave cost 3d., and while there were no troopers to attend the last
rites, the servants and slaves upon the Pynchon estate were given
one quart of rum to drink to his memory.
With the death of John Pynchou closes the consolidating or for-
mative period of Springfield's history. The seeds were well sown,
and time has done the rest. There were conflicts and waves of de-
pression and prosperity both in church and town ; but the Pyuchons
liad determined the character of the settlement, and it developed
steadil}' and healthily upon those general lines.