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

SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1886. 387
colonization society : Justice Wilkird, Simon Sanborn, William B.
Calhoun, P^lijah Blake, Charles Stearns, Samuel Bowles, and George
Colton.
The town was now making marked progress in numbers and gen-
eral appearance. The building of churches, town-hall, the opening
of the square on Main street, and like improvements, had added a
healthy am])ition to the ancient community. In January, 1826,
George Bliss and one hundred and eleven others petitioned that the
village proper be incorporated into a police and fire district, that the
meadow might be drained, tlje brook regulated, and streets widened.
There was a natural curiosity to know exactly the local population, and
some public-spirited men put their hands in their pockets, counted
noses, and in 1827 reported these results: Over 30, males, 791;
females, 803. Over 16, males, 826; females, 983. Over 10,
males, 357 ; females, 410. Under 10, males, 707 ; females, 827.
Total, 5,764.
The population of the village in 1820 was 3,914, showing that the
tide of prosperity had indeed begun. Northampton in 1827 had a
population of 3,840, and West Springfield had also fallen behind the
central village. The rivalry between the local communities con-
tinued, but the chances were now clearly in favor of the mother
town. Hampden county in 1825 had 3,425 houses.
The Handel and Haydn Society, of Springfield, gave their first pub-
lic concert Sunday evening, June 17, 1827. In October, 1824, the
newly organized Hampden Guards received from the citizens "an
elegant standard," Lieutenant-Colonel Colton making the presentation
speech.
The Fourth of July celebration of the first half-century of the re-
public warmed the local heart. The celebration was planned at a
meeting of men of " all parties, religious or political," and under
the special direction of this committee of citizens : Col. Roswell
Lee, Israel E. Trask, John Chaffee, Samuel Lathrop, Josliua Frost,
Calvin Burt, Benjamin Jenks, Col. Solomon Warriner, Dr. Reuben