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

SPRIXGFIELD, 1636-1SS6. 3-47
street), the log jail being in the rear. William Colton kept the
taveru until the early part of the present century. The old building
is now on Central street (between Main and Maple). Col. Thomas
D wight, the son of Josiah, lived in the Dwight residence (Howard
street) ; he is remembered as a man of culture and dignity. He
married a daughter of Colonel Worthington, and was the father-in-
law of Maj. Charles Howard. Colonel Dwight was a federalist of
the strictest sort. He was graduated from Harvard in 1778, was in
the Legislature in 1794, and in the State Senate for 1796 to 1803,
when he was elected to Congress. But there Avas too much Virginia
politics for him down there, and he declined a reelection.
Margaret street is named after Widow Margaret Bliss, mother of
Samuel Bliss, who died in 1720, and who is said to have built the
Loriug house in South Main street. Eeuben Bliss, who died in 1806,
at an advanced age, lived on the east side of lower Main street, and
had as a neighbor Capt. Joseph Ferre. Joseph Dwight built what
was subsequently turned into the United States Hotel, and he kept a
distillery just south of it (D. A. Bush's place). The potash and
pearlash works of J. J. Dwight were at Wilbraham. Charles
Ferre built on Maple street (Lombard Dale's) on 1661, and until
about this time (1783) the road ran along the brow of the hill to the
dingle (Rumrill's house). Dr. Charles Brewer lived on Maple street,
and the road was sometimes called the road to Charles Brewer's ;
prison lot, it will be remembered, was nearer the road to Boston
(Judge Henry Morris's place) . Samuel Babcock owned the paper-
mill in 1786, where was manufactured newspaper, writing, cartridge,
and wrapping paper.
As the century closed we find these men in business : Daniel
Lombard, corner Meeting-House lane, dry goods and groceries
William Sheldon, south of the court-house, dry goods and groceries ;
Eleazer Williams, dry goods and groceries; Charles Sheldon, dry
goods and groceries ; John Padley, *•' taylor and habit-maker," two
doors south of the post-office ; and John Lloyd, leather-dresser.
;
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