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

CHAPTER XV.
1783-1800.
Death of Rev. Rohei-t Breck. — Pompcy. — The Change in Dress. — Carriages. — Post-
master Moses Chinch. — Death of Charles Brewer. — Zebina Stebbins. — Capt.
Luke Bliss. — The Dwights. — Merchant -Jonathan Dwight. — The Old Red Store.
Other Merchants. — A Glimpse at Main Sti'eet. — Zenas Parsons. — Taverns. — Maj.
Joseph Stebbins. — Earl}- Newspapers. — Post Riders. — Samuel Lyman. — Springfield's
College Presidents. — The Hitchcocks. — Col. Thomas Dwight. — Daniel Lombard.
— Town Officers. — Fourth of Julj' Celebration. — Timber Trade. — Move War-
rants of Distress. — Town Treasurer's Report. — Canals. — Desei'ting Soldiers and
Lawlessness.
One would find an endless source of diversion in putting together
the stray bits of information touching the appearance of the village
between the Revolution and the present century. It was a common
tiling in those days to paint dwelling-houses bright red, or even yel-
low, wliicli, with the eigiiteenth century costuming, must have given a
graphic appearance to Main sti'eet. Before the Revolution Merchant
Storer, of Boston, sent a bill of goods to George and Robert Breck.
In an accompanying note Mr. Storer said, by way of business
" The crimson Snail & Bandanna handkfs I could not procure, tho'
I tried at sundry places — nor could I get a scarlet Whitney which I
thought suitable for a Great Coat." In the list sent were pieces of
crimson broadcloth, green durant, blue serge, crimson bays, and black
taffeta. This letter, curiously enough, was found floating down the
Connecticut river in 1887 by a Springfield canoeist. The paper had
been thrown upon the river-bank after the demolition of an old house,
and the rising water had swept it away.
Rev. Mr. Breck died Friday forenoon of April 23, 1784, in his sev-
enty-first year. The burial took place on Monday the 26th, the clergy
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