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

208 SPRINGFIELD, 163G-188G.
ill 1706, was wouiitk'd in the uortli part of the town. Colouel Whiting
and his Connecticut soldiers were uudoiibtedl}- here two years later
on his errand of defending the outposts. At any rate, Josepli Par-
sons was directed that year (1708) to intercede with the governor
against the proposed calling away of Springfield men to defend other
towns, and to ask for a garrison itself . This was in the summei, in
which the home of Lieutenant Wright at Skipihuck was attacked l)y
the Indians, and three men and a child killed, and a woman carried
away into captivity.
The old homogeneous town-meeting had become broken up. West
Springfield had secured a meeting-house in 1702 in spite of the
mother plantation ; and, after the decree of the Bay authorities, that
the east side should pay £50 toward the cost of the west-side edifice,
Springfield voted the amount in provisions, " if the}^ would accept
thereof."
In the winter of 1704 the inliabitants on the east side of the river
began to hold regular parish meetings. In accordance with the ap-
propriation of £50 in 'provision pay" toward the west-side meet-
ing-house, the selectmen made a levy: but the west side would not
accept this in full payment under the order of the General Court.
The constables were ordered therefore not to collect the rates.
Joseph Parsons, Dea. Jonathan Burt, and James Warriner were
sent, in 1705, to Boston, to answer the still protesting west-side rs.
The General Court ordered the east side to pay the £50 in two years,
and also provided for a division of ministry lands. The east side
demurred, and appealed again to the General Court. AVhen the west
side became a separate parish they were released from the burden of
Rev. Mr. Brewer's salary, and this increased the ministr}- rates on
the east side. Many refused to pay the extra tax, and the town was
compelled to sue in the Court of Quarter Sessions.
The little congregation upon the west side had secured a fine man
for a minister in John Woodbridge, — learned, gentle, and easy of ac-
cess. The Connecticut river was quite wide enough to divide the in-